Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Hairless Khala - Breed Comparison

The Hairless Khala is from a number of Latin American countries, and these countries have a variety of these hairless hounds.

The dogs are known by different names. Khala is the Bolivian Quechua Indian name and it means 'no clothing' - an absence of fur. Both Central and South America have their hairless dogs, descendants of ancestral dogs owned by the Incan Empire.

This wheaten colored terrier hails from Ireland. Although the Wheaten has been around for a long time, it was in 1937 that he was recognized as a breed in Ireland.

The British Kennel Club also recognized the Wheaten and the dog was also exported to the United States. Serious interest started being shown for the Terrier in the 1970s. It was in 1973 that they were recognised by the American Kennel Club.

There are 2 kinds of hairless Khalas – the Medio one which is a short legged dog which stands at roughly 36 – 41cm in height and weighs roughly 6 – 14kg. The other kind of khala is the Hairless Khala Grande, a long legged type.

Although the dog is hairless, you'll find some hair on the top of his head. For sake of space we'll refer to the Medio variety, a medium-sized hound with hairless skin which is dark grey in color.

Temperament:

The Hairless Khala is a friendly dog with his family but tends to be reserved with strangers. He gets on well with children in the home and because he isn't a particularly energetic dog, elderly people also find that he makes a super pet for them.

He is able to adapt easily to city- as well as country living. You need to be careful with him and not allow him out in the garden in the boiling sun as his skin can burn badly. Then again, without fur, he also tends to get cold easily.

He has dark brown eyes and the ears are fairly large in size and erect. He has a chest which is deep and broad and his tail is set fairly low and is held according to his mood.

He is an intelligent dog, and therefore easily trained. He is a loving, loyal dog who is capable of bonding closely with his human family.

The Wheaten is a medium sized dog standing at between 43 and 50cm and weighing between 13 and 20kg both male and female. The coat of the dog is soft, silky and wavy to even curly and is a wheaten to ginger color.

The coat of the puppy is dark but as he grows up it changes into the wheaten color although the ears may be a dark brown color. Pet owners like that the Wheaten is a very low shedding dog.

Temperament:

Playful, social and friendly, the Wheaten has always been put to good use on the farm. These days he is pet and companion. He is energetic and playful so children love having him around.

He is slightly more hyper and energetic than other Terrier breeds so will require a good dose of exercise.

He is smart and strong willed, and training and socialization turns him into an amicable pet to have around, so much so that he is sought after as a therapy-dog.

They’re easy-going dogs with no aggression issues but they still make great watch dogs and want to do whatever it takes to look after- and protect their human family.

The Hairless Khala will make you an excellent pet, and children and the elderly are attracted to the dog because it is loving and docile. They are aloof with strangers, but training and socialization make him far more tolerant of strangers.

The Hairless Khala is an adaptable dog breed, and will adapt well to life in the city or in the country. Found throughout the Latin American nations, today he is essentially a companion dog, loving to be a devoted friend to his human family.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has always made an excellent farm dog, but today he is more suited as pet and companion.

He adapts easily to life in the city or the countryside. Wherever he is, he will need his exercise. He also longs to be an active part of his human family, and then he’s happy, lively, social and friendly and is a great playmate for children.

He also gets on well with other dogs and will make you a fantastic family pet.

The life expectancy of this dog is 10-14 years when he is treated well. The Hairless Khala is a robust dog breed but even so, there are diseases to look out for -

Skin Allergies:

Skin allergies are one of the reasons you may have to take your Hairless Khala to the vet. These sorts of skin allergies can be frustrating for a dog because the skin is irritated and itchy and he may have scaly areas or red bumps on his skin. If your dog is licking and scratching frantically, you will need to get him to the vet.

Dental Disease

Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums, and if food and bacteria accumulate on the gums, it forms plaque and transforms into calculus, leading to gingivitis. Check your pet's teeth regularly and also brush them with special canine toothbrush and toothpaste at least 2 or 3x a week.

When you bring a Wheaten Terrier into your home, you’re not likely to have too many vet fees as he tends to be a healthy dog breed, being able to reach 13, 14 or 15 years of age with good care.

Look out for a dog ailment known as Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). This is a condition where the dog isn’t able to properly absorb protein in the digestive tract, so that it is passed in their stools.

It can be fatal, but if caught early, some dietary changes can keep it under control.

Also, look out for inflammatory bowel disease. This disease occurs when the stomach of the dog has a large number of inflammatory cells which can change the lining of the digestive tract, preventing the normal absorption of food.

Exercise:

He isn't a super energetic dog but still, he will need to be taken for a walk every day.You can also include typical games that all dogs love – fetching a ball or pulling on a rope.

Grooming:

Because of the dog having little or no hair, they are considered fairly hypoallergenic and also low maintenance. You'd need to brush a dog with fur, but a hairless dog requires different grooming.

Speak to your vet about bathing your dog, the type of body wash to use and how frequently it should be done. Because your dog is hairless, he may require a sun cream in the Summer and a jersey in the Winter.

He will also need his nails clipped and his teeth brushed as part of his grooming process.

Diet:

He may not have much hair, but when it comes to diet he is much the same as any other dog. If you feed him commercially manufactured food, always choose the best quality one in accordance with his age, height and activity levels.

Home-made food is always a welcome treat for your pet, but whatever you feed him, make sure it has the necessary minerals and vitamins to ensure his health. Essential fatty acids will be needed to keep the skin moist. With too much washing, the skin of these dogs will become irritated, dry and flaking if he doesn't received a nutritious, balanced diet. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

When in any doubt as to how to look after a hairless dog, speak to your vet.

Grooming:

Brush your pet’s silky coat twice a week. Such a silky coat can get all tangled and matted. If you prefer, many people opt to rather have the Wheaten’s coat professionally clipped as then it is easier to handle. They like to have the hair clipped that hangs over the dog’s eyes.

Other grooming tasks require you to check inside his ears for redness which could indicate an infection. Trim his nails and check him over for ticks and fleas.

Training:

Have your Wheatie trained and socialized as he is a stubborn dog breed and you want him to be well mannered and obedient.

Exercise:

Terriers like this are energetic dogs and he is going to need exercise every day. A walk for a dog is always a welcome experience as it gives him the opportunity to sniff around and pick up new smells. Play ball- or frisbee games with him as this can tire him out a bit.

Veterinary Care:

If your dog shows signs of illness, get him to the vet. He is such a feisty dog that it can be unbearable to see him out of sorts.

Diet:

Terriers are energetic dogs so if you feed your dog one of the commercial dog foods, make sure the label indicates what food it is. This is because the foods are manufactured according to the type of dog it is, its age, size and energy levels.

Always try and go for the high quality foods which don’t have all those unhealthy ingredients in them. Try to include some home-made food – nothing exotic and spicy – just plain, wholesome food that won’t upset his stomach.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. You can chop it up and add it to your pet’s kibble twice a week.

Try and include a little bit of raw meat to his diet occasionally as this can go towards ensuring he doesn’t get skin diseases. Always ensure he has a constant supply of fresh, cool water available.