Millcreek Valley Farm is home to some awesome creatures . . . some domesticated and others pretty wild like the Mallard pair that show up here on the Millcreek every spring with the hen raising upwards of a dozen cute little ducklings. Flying lessons are a hoot! We think our honey bees are domesticated, but truth be told, they are as wild and free as their ancient ancestors. They just let me think I am a beekeeper!
Our Irish Farm Dog is another thing altogether. Many say that Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are not for everyone, and "they" may be right. However, THIS dog is the right dog for us! We cannot imagine our family without Cassidy, which name in Ireland means curly hair. We will go into detail about the breed in that section of this site. Let me tell you a little bit about this particular Wheatie first.
Lady Cassidy came to us just 7 weeks old. We had searched all over the West for a purebred Wheaten that we could own outright with no breeding restrictions or contracts. If you have been looking for a Wheaten, you know what we are talking about . . . they are not easy to find. We were not sure at all about raising a puppy, but we knew that this was the breed we wanted, so we jumped in. To our surprise, she stayed in her large wire crate all night the very first night with NO whining. She was and is a happy crate dog and when bed time comes, Cass will simply walk into her crate, lay down, and wait for one of us to latch the door. What a great breed for a house dog!
Now House TRAINING was a bit more anxious, but with patience we won the day. We chose to never resort to rolled up newspaper or the like, opting for the tedious but effective outside time every two hours evenings and weekends. We both work, and the crate was very effective in keeping control of her urges until let out at lunch and upon returning home in the evening. There were very few accidents, and all were really our fault. It took a year to completely trust her, but now Cass would rather burst than mess the house. She is only shut in her crate at night, and has the run of the house all day long.
Chewing Was A problem the first 18 months. It is here that we needed the training. We just had to learn to put up our shoes, MP3 players and books. Getting her a couple of toys also helped. It also took some scolding to which she responded with much remorse upon being confronted with the week old penny loafer. Cass knows what "bad dog" means . . . . and she also seems to know that our displeasure with her only lasts a few minutes. Now it seems that the only real temptation for Cass is a pair of ear buds left dangling from the table. She just cannot resist them should we forget our "training" and leave a set in sight.
Things Just Got better and better as the months and years went by. What a little bundle of energy! Cass, both now and then, does not have to play every minute, but when one of us offers some time, she gives it all she has. There is a photo in the gallery of the pup leaping off of our lawn chair. Wheatens seem to be fearless leapers, and while romping, will even leap over a line of demarcation between hardwood floor and carpet. She now weighs 30 pounds even, and welcomes everyone home with every ounce of it! Cass LOVES walks and rides in the car, and just as advertised, leaves no dog hair behind. What a great thing it is to have a fun loving dog that does not shed. We are sure that you will love this breed too. Puppy training class is a must (we took her twice) as they are very strong willed. Some professional schooling will all but assure that you end up with a great family pet! We wish you good fortune in your search for a Wheaten.
Now About Barking . . . . I cannot endure a dog that barks just because someone rings the door bell. Cassidy does not do that at all. Oh she runs to the door to greet the visitor . . . Cass never met ANYONE she didn't like and want to lick. We are still working on her door manners, but she does not bark at a knock on the door. She will bark at a car door being shut in a neighbor's driveway, or certain sounds on TV . . . . other animal sounds mostly, and some bass notes from movie scores. In fact, she barks so seldom that is startles us when it happens. These dogs seem to be very well behaved in the "barking at the front door" department. If you are looking for a watch dog, Wheaties are probably not it.
Did I Say what a great dog this is? Consider a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier for your next family dog. We hope to be back in the breeding business in a couple of years when we relocate to Southeastern Utah. Meanwhile, we wish you good fortune in your search.