Coat Types

^{A very important and ongoing topic: SRST.}

^{Before we begin grooming the coat, it’s important to understand the different coat types found in the Wheatna. We currently distinguish between three types: Irish, American, and Anglo-American. Although according to the FCI standard only the Irish coat should be permitted, we also encounter these other types at dog shows.}

What is the difference between them?

IRISH TYPE

It should be soft to the touch, delicate, and shiny, with noticeable waves. The color should be a shade of ripening wheat, so there is a wide range of wheat-colored shades. However, the color must not be pure white or red.

Typical Irish Coat

AMERICAN STYLE

The coat is fluffy, dull, and lackluster, soft to cottony. It resembles a poodle’s coat. To the untrained eye, it may be more appealing, as this coat type is easier to trim into a shape that holds its form. A black mask and black ears are also common, which is a serious fault!

American coat type

ANGLO-AMERICAN STYLE

Unlike the American variety, the coat is more wavy, but the hair is thicker and heavier.

What about the puppies?

The Wheaten is a late-maturing breed, so don’t be fooled by the different coat types seen in puppies and adolescent dogs. Irish-type puppies are born very dark, often with a dark mask. Their coat is straight and coarse. Over time, the dark coat begins to shed, and through gradual clipping, we reveal the light undercoat. The coat is sparse and thin, and in some dogs, it remains coarse until the dog is one year old. The coat takes a very long time to mature and does not reach its full quality until the dog is around 3 years old.

Irish-type puppy

6-month-old Irish type—thinner coat

Compared to the Irish type, there is a huge difference in the American type. The American type’s coat is much denser, straight, and varies in color (from white to apricot). It has a distinctive black mask. These puppies are again more appealing to the layperson because they look like teddy bears.

My kennel exclusively breeds Irish-type Wheatnons! If you're interested in grooming this type of coat, I recommend reading the article on coat grooming.