Soft-Coated Golden (Wheaten Terrier Golden Retriever Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & More

The Soft-Coated Golden is a great option if you are looking for a versatile dog that gets along well with children and other pets. This mix of the Wheaten Terrier and Golden Retriever has many qualities that make them a great pet. If you are thinking about getting one but would like to know more about them first, keep reading for a discussion of their size, appearance, temperament, and intelligence.

Breed Overview

The Soft-Coated Golden, or Wheatie Retriever, is a friendly, outgoing, intelligent, gentle dog, which makes them ideal for families and individuals seeking a loyal and affectionate companion with a love for human interaction and outdoor activities. Their alertness makes them great family watchdogs, and as you might expect, they enjoy playing in the water and are great fun at the beach. The Wheatie Retriever’s attractive appearance, which may include a wavy or curly coat in various shades, and their manageable size help boost their popularity among pet owners.

Soft-Coated Golden Characteristics

Soft-Coated Golden Puppies

Soft-Coated Golden puppies are active, curious, and playful. They tend to enjoy interaction with their human family members and are eager to explore the world around them. They have a great deal of energy, so they’ll need plenty of playtime and mental stimulation. You must also puppy-proof your house to keep them from getting into trouble. Finding a Wheaten Terrier Golden Retriever mix puppy can sometimes be challenging because they are considered a designer or hybrid breed. Choosing a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs over profit is important. You may also be able to find a puppy through an animal shelter.

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Soft-Coated Golden

The Soft-Coated Golden is a wonderful dog that is often friendly and outgoing. They form strong bonds with their owners and usually get along well with children and other pets, who can help them get the exercise that they need to stay healthy and happy. They sometimes have an independent streak that can make them more difficult to train because it will be harder to keep them focused, but patience and short scheduled training sessions will put you on the right path. They are intelligent dogs that can complete complex tasks.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers and Golden Retrievers are generally known for being excellent family choices, so there is a good chance that your Soft-Coated Golden will be too. They tend to get along well with pets and children. Their alert nature helps them watch over the house and warn you of any dangers. They are loyal and devoted companions who will provide you with many years of friendship.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

The Soft-Coated Golden often gets along well with other pets, especially if you frequently socialize them with other animals when they are still a puppy. Supervised, gradual introductions will help ensure that everyone is getting along without fighting, and plenty of treats can help create a positive experience for both animals. However, it’s also important to remember that some pets enjoy spending time alone, so ensure that they have a comfort zone to retreat to, and respect their boundaries.

Things to Know When Owning a Soft-Coated Golden

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Your Soft-Coated Golden will require high-quality commercial dog food that lists real meat like chicken, turkey, or beef as the first ingredient. Avoid brands that use excessive numbers of chemical additives and preservatives or artificial coloring. Brands that contain healthy omega fats can also help promote a shiny coat and joint health. The food that you choose should be appropriate for your dog’s age and health, and you should limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily calories.

Exercise 🐕

A Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Golden Retriever Mix will likely have moderate to high exercise needs due to the energetic nature of both parent breeds. Expect to spend nearly 1 hour daily walking your pet to help them burn off excess energy. They also like to chase balls and Frisbees and enjoy games of tug of war. If you have a secure, fenced area, give your dog off-leash time to run and explore, and consider hiking, jogging, or participating in other outdoor activities that will enable your dog to expend energy while enjoying the environment.

Training 🎾

Training a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Golden Retriever Mix can be a rewarding experience, as both parent breeds are intelligent and typically eager to please. Begin training and socialization as early as possible, ideally when your puppy is still young. Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as praise, treats, and toys, to reward and encourage desired behaviors, and be consistent with your commands and expectations. Schedule short training sessions, and do them consistently to get your dog into a routine that will carry into adulthood.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming requirements for a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Golden Retriever Mix can vary depending on the specific characteristics that they inherited from each parent breed. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier has a soft, silky, and somewhat wavy coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling, while the Golden Retriever has a dense double coat that sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing to manage loose hair. There is a good chance that your pet will need regular brushing and occasional trimming to look their best. They will also need frequent teeth brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste, and you will need to check their ears frequently to remove wax buildup and look for signs of infection.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Serious Conditions

Protein-losing nephropathy is a kidney disorder that can lead to protein loss through the urine and can result in kidney failure. It’s common in the Wheaten Terrier parent and can result in a loss of lean body mass.

The Wheaten Terrier and Golden Retriever are susceptible to hip dysplasia, a condition that affects the hip joint of your pet, so you will need to watch out for it in your pet too. Signs include difficulty getting up from a resting position, avoiding stairs, and decreased activity.

Addison’s disease is a condition that affects the adrenal gland and results in a decrease of important hormones that control the body and can lead to the deterioration of your pet’s health.

Minor Conditions

Allergies, including food, environmental, and skin allergies, can occur in sensitive dogs. Look for signs that include itching, scratching, swelling, diarrhea, vomiting, and hives, and contact the vet immediately if you notice any.

Golden Retrievers can be prone to eye problems, so they might also affect your pet. Cataracts, inflammation, and progressive retinal atrophy are all common, so frequent checkups with your vet are critical for your pet’s long-term health.

Male vs. Female

Since the Soft-Coated Golden is a mixed breed, the parent that they take after more will have more impact on your dog’s size, appearance, and temperament than their sex. However, males tend to be a little larger and are more likely to display dominant behaviors, while females are smaller and more independent.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Soft-Coated Golden

1. The Soft-Coated Golden can inherit a wide range of coat types

Their coat can range from wavy and soft to dense and long, resulting in a unique appearance independent of the parent breeds.

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2. The Soft-Coated Golden may benefit from hybrid vigor

This is the phenomenon where mixed-breed dogs often have better overall health and fewer genetic health issues than purebred dogs because they inherit a more diverse set of genes from their parent breeds.

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3. While individual dogs may vary, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are considered a low-shedding breed, and Golden Retrievers are known for moderate shedding

As a result, their mix can have reduced shedding compared to purebred Golden Retrievers, making them a potentially more suitable choice for individuals who have allergies.

Final Thoughts

The Soft-Coated Golden is a popular hybrid of the Golden Retriever and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. They make great pets due to their medium size and potential to shed less than most other dogs. They are also friendly with children and pets and tend to form strong bonds with their owners. They are active and need a great deal of exercise, but they enjoy playing games, so your activities will be fun. They are generally healthy dogs and can learn complex tasks with patience and consistency.

See also: 

• Cairn Terrier Wheaten Terrier Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & More
• Wheatador (Wheaten Terrier Lab Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & More

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Featured Image Credit: (L) Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock | (R) Emil Priver, Unsplash