Appearance of the Wheatador
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| The Wheatador is a sturdy, medium-sized dog. It is an athletic dog with strong legs and feet. As the parent breeds have very different coats, the Wheatador can present itself in different ways depending on the genetics it inherits. Labrador Retrievers are known for their short, smooth, waterproof coats, while Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are adored for their soft, wavy coats. Wheatadors can have either coat, or a hybrid of the two. Their coat can be black, golden/purple or chocolate, and their eyes can be light yellow, hazel or brown. They have a scissor bite, inherited from their two parent breeds. Their ears can point forward, like the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, or fold flat against the skull, like the Labrador Retriever. |
Temperament of the Wheatador
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| Wheatadors are energetic, fun-loving dogs that love to be around people. Because they're so friendly, they don't make good guard dogs, as they quickly befriend strangers who approach them. They are intelligent and can be destructive if they don't get enough exercise. Like their Labrador Retriever relatives, they are receptive to training, especially if there's a reward involved. However, they can also be strong-willed and independent, like their Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier parents. It's important to start training them at an early age, as these lively dogs need well-defined limits. They are friendly dogs and make excellent companions for children, although they can be aggressive when young; it's essential to pay particular attention to this during training. They really enjoy interacting with their owners, and are just as happy to snuggle up to you as they are to play. They're generally friendly with other animals, but some of them can have a Terrier hunting instinct, so it's best to take precautions when introducing them to other pets. If you take care to socialize them from birth, it will be easy to manage their predatory instincts. They make excellent pets, provided they have an outlet for their energy. |
Needs and activities of the Wheatador
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| The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and Labrador Retriever are both active breeds, and so is the Wheatador. Wheatadors are playful, energetic dogs that need regular exercise, at least 60 minutes a day, and space to run around. They can be mischievous and destructive if they don't have a proper outlet for their energy, but when given enough exercise, they are easy-going, cuddly pets who love spending time with their families. They are well suited to rural living, where they have space to romp outdoors, but can make excellent apartment dogs if they are exercised frequently and, ideally, have access to a dog park to run around in. These dogs do well in all climates, but prefer the cold. |
Maintenance of the Wheatador
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| The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and Labrador Retriever are relatively low-maintenance breeds, and the same can be said of the Wheatador. Some of them can inherit the wavy locks of their Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier parents, in which case weekly brushing is recommended to avoid tangles. Regular brushing also helps reduce shedding. Using a comb rather than a brush will help wavy coats like that of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier to stay smooth and soft rather than curly. Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are known to have sensitive skin, so it's best to shampoo only when necessary in case the Wheatador has also inherited this characteristic. They are not hypoallergenic and shed lightly to moderately. Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are allergic to fleas, and Wheatadors may also inherit this characteristic. Some Wheatadors may inherit the beard under the chin or the long hairs hanging over their eyes, in which case they will need extra grooming to keep these areas clean. |
English (United Kingdom)