Wheaten Terrier vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison

Wheaten Terrier vs American Bulldog - Breed ComparisonAmerican Bulldog is originated from United States but Wheaten Terrier is originated from Ireland. American Bulldog may grow 20 cm / 8 inches higher than Wheaten Terrier. American Bulldog may weigh 34 kg / 75 pounds more than Wheaten Terrier. American Bulldog may live 4 years more than Wheaten Terrier. American Bulldog may have more litter size than Wheaten Terrier. American Bulldog requires Low Maintenance. But Wheaten Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
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United States
Ireland
Height Male:
55 - 70 cm
21 - 28 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Height Female:
52 - 65 cm
20 - 26 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 54 kg
70 - 120 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
27 - 45 kg
59 - 100 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
10 - 12
2 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
shades of brindle including red brindle, varying degrees of white, red, brown, tan, fawn and piebald.
The Wheaten
Colors Available:
Brindle, mostly white, white with brown or red and piebald.
Wheaten, gingery
Coat:
Short and smooth
Soft single coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Courageous, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american bulldogFollowing World War II, the American Bulldog was almost extinct.

Thanks to John D. Johnson from Summerville, Georgia the breed is still with us today. He gathered the best dogs he could find throughout the rural South and bred them back into popularity among his family and other rural families. His father bred the American Bulldog before John did and they have bred them longer than any other in any part of the world. His dogs were regularly used for tracking, hunting, guarding, watchdog and weight pulling. At some point Alan Scott joined Johnson breeding other bulldogs to Johnson's and forming the Standard American Bulldog.

The American Bulldog/ is popular today as a family pet and companion as well as a working dog.

The Wheaten Terrier hails from Ireland, some 200 years ago.

wheaten terrierThe dog was bred to be a useful dog to have around the farm. He was needed to help with the guarding and herding of livestock and to keep the rat population down.

This little dog has a long history, but in spite of this, he wasn’t recognized as a breed in his home country by the Irish Kennel Club until 1937.

It was in 1943 that the Wheaten was recognized by the British Kennel Club. They were exported to the United States in the 1940s and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973.

Description

american bulldog puppy - descriptionThe American Bulldog is a powerful and muscular dog in a sturdy and compact frame. The female is more refined than the heavy boned and stocky male, but both genders are athletic, agile and quick. The have large heads, strong jaws, a muscular neck and with a moderately deep and wide chest.

They have a square head, with muscular cheeks and a clearly defined furrow between his eyes. With broad, square and strong muzzles, they have a reverse scissors, scissors, moderate underbite and an even bite. Ears come in a variety of shapes and sizes and eyes can be any color as well. The nose however should be black and lips black as well. Their legs are strong, heavy boned and straight with well-defined muscles in the hindquarters. Finally ,they have a thick, low set tail that comes to a point at the end.

wheaten terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wheaten Terrier is a robustly built, medium-sized dog with males and females standing at between 43 to 50cm in height and weighing between 13 to 20kg.

The soft, single coat is a silky texture and a wheaten, gingery color. A bonus is that the coat doesn’t shed much. Puppies are born with darkish coats of a reddish-brown color but the coat lightens significantly as the puppy grows older.

Most Wheaten Terrier owners opt to have the dog professionally groomed. Their tails have always been docked.

Temperament:

Your Wheaten Terrier is a smart dog, albeit headstrong and stubborn. His intelligence makes it easy to have him trained.

They love their human family and aren’t known for any aggression issues. They’re energetic, playful dogs and are sometimes even looked upon as being hyperactive. They’re able to get along well with other dogs and cats in the house. They generally make great family pets.

These dogs are well suited to life in the city as well as the countryside just so long as he gets his daily walks and other forms of exercise.

Characteristics

american bulldog dog - characteristicsThe American Bulldog is characteristically loyal, brave and reliable. It is a friendly, gentle dog that truly loves children. There is not a hostile bone in his body despite his history and reputation for bull baiting. Though he is protective of its family and affectionate with most, he still needs a human companion who is strong willed and a genuine pack leader. Without this he might become aggressive around other dogs and pets. They are immensely self-confident and they do slobber and drool and will become excited and hard to handle without daily exercise of both their body and their minds.

wheaten terrier dog - characteristicsThe Wheaten Terrier is such a bouncy, lively little dog that he brings joy into any home.

He is energetic, playful and full of the joys of living but you don’t want to take advantage of his good nature.

Don’t leave him stuck in your back yard but include him in all your family activities. He’s your best friend, providing you with unconditional love that few humans can equal.

Health Problems

american bulldog puppies - health problemsThough generally healthy, the American Bulldog is prone to a few problems.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a serious issue in many breeds of dogs and is especially prevalent with the American Bull Dog. This may seem ironic in such a short legged dog but it is unfortunately very common. It is a genetic disorder that causes the bones in the joint to separate and causes the dog much pain and lameness.

Skin and Ear Issues

Due to skin folds you need to be care and watch for irritation and infection in the folds. They are also prone to ear infections.

Obesity

The American Bulldog is prone to overeating and all the health issues that presents. With short legs and a genetic predisposition to arthritis and hip dysplasia, obesity is a real health risk for your bulldog.

wheaten terrier puppies - health problemsYour Wheaten Terrier is a dog breed that can live healthily with you for a good number of years.

Just like most other dogs, they are prone to some heritable diseases. Perhaps a condition to look out for with this particular dog is protein wasting conditions - protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE).

Both of these diseases are actually fatal but if caught early enough, they can be managed with dietary changes and medication.

Your dog produces proteins known as enzymes, one group being digestive enzymes that help with the breakdown and digestion of food. When your pet battles with malabsorption, digestive enzymes don’t absorb protein and it passes through the large intestine into the faeces. Your dog will have inflammatory bowel disease.

Dogs with PLE for instance, will have vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss.

Caring The Pet

Feeding Puppies

american bulldog dogs - caringThree times a day from 12 weeks to a year for a total of 3 cups per day.

Feeding Adults

After 6 months cut back to one cup twice a day of high quality dry dog food.

Bulldogs will eat anything at anytime and are prone to obesity. Don't overfeed them.

wheaten terrier dogs - caringBrush your pet’s coat twice a week to keep it healthy and have him professionally trimmed to keep him looking nice and groomed.

Dental disease is a common problem with dogs, and more specifically small dogs. Dental problems start with tartar build-up on the teeth and then infection of the gums and roots can set in too. The teeth have to be kept in good condition as rotten teeth can have a negative impact on other important body parts like the heart and kidneys.

Have your pet vaccinated against bacterial and viral infections such as rabies and parvo.

Speak to your vet about the many worms and other parasites that can invade your pet’s body.

Have your Wheaten spayed or neutered if you want to avoid unwanted puppies.

Provide your Wheaten with the best food there is to encourage good health and longevity. Keep his meals simple and consistent and always go for high-quality foods that are in keeping with your dog’s age, Kibble as well as home-made food are good choices. Never leave your pet without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Provide your Wheaten Terrier with good exercise. Remember though that these dogs are sensitive to warm temperatures, and you don’t want to have him exercising in hot weather because of the fear of heat stress.

Comparison with other breeds

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  28. American Bulldog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. American Bulldog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. American Bulldog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. American Bulldog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. American Bulldog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. American Bulldog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. American Bulldog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. American Bulldog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. American Bulldog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. American Bulldog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. American Bulldog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. American Bulldog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. American Bulldog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. American Bulldog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. American Bulldog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. American Bulldog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. American Bulldog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. American Bulldog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. American Bulldog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. American Bulldog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. American Bulldog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. American Bulldog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. American Bulldog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison