Wheaten Terrier vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison

Wheaten Terrier vs Bichon Frise - Breed ComparisonBichon Frise is originated from Spain but Wheaten Terrier is originated from Ireland. Bichon Frise may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Wheaten Terrier. Bichon Frise may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Wheaten Terrier. Bichon Frise may live 7 years more than Wheaten Terrier. Both Bichon Frise and Wheaten Terrier has almost same litter size. Bichon Frise requires Low Maintenance. But Wheaten Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Terrier dog
undefined
Spain
Ireland
Height Male:
23 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Height Female:
21 - 29 cm
8 - 12 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 19 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
2 - 8
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Bichón Tenerife • Bichon à poil frisé Bichon
The Wheaten
Colors Available:
white
Wheaten, gingery
Coat:
Medium length, silky texture with corkscrew curls
Soft single coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Playful, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
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:
Yes
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

bichon friseContrary to the myths and many of the tales of the history of the Bichon Frise, the breed was originally developed in Spain. Later specific trait development occurred in France to give us the lap dog Bichon Frise that we know today. The original Spanish dog – the Bichon – was a water – sailing dog. It was descended from the poodle breeds crossed with either the water spaniels or the Barbet. These early dogs were friendly and happy and because of this, sailors carried them with them on their ships and even bartered them for supplies. Prior to the 14th century the Spanish probably brought them to the Canary Islands. Later in the 14th century they we discovered again by Italian sailors who returned them to Europe where they lived in the courts of the nobility. During the Renaissance and after the French fell in love with the breed while the Spanish continue to enjoy their presence.

In the late 19th century in France the breed fell out of popularity and became street dogs and circus and fair dogs. They also worked with organ grinders and assisted the blind. In the early 20th century, the Societe Centrale Canine, the National Kennel Club of France, adopted the breed’s official standard – while they were still known as both the Bichon and the Tenerife. The popularity of the breed at this time is heavily attributed to “The Adventures of TinTIn” , by Herge, which featured a small, white, fluffy fox terrier. Then the president of the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale presented a new name for the breed based on its characteristics. The name Bichon Frise kept the Bichon heritage and added “curly” the meaning of Frise. Under this name the breed was admitted to the Societe Centrale Canine stud book in October of 1934.

The Bichon Frise came to the United States for the first time in 19554 and was admitted to the American Kennel Club Stud Book in 1972. They entered the non-sporting group of the AKC in 1973. By 2001 the Bichon Frise, J.R., won the Westminster Dog Show. In 1976, the Bichon Frise came to Australia, imported by Harry and Margaret Begg who oversaw the growth of the breed there. Today there are 4 separate breeds believed to be descended from the original Bichon/Tenerife breeds – the Bichon Frise, the Bichon Bolognaise, the Maltese and the Havanese.

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

bichon frise puppy - descriptionThe modern Bichon Frise is a white, small dog with a round skull and muzzle. The nose should be black and the eyes round and dark. Depending on the size of the dog, the legs and head are proportionate to the body, while the tail should be curly and long. Both the tail and the ears must not be docked. Their coat is as hypoallergenic as a dog gets. It is white, dense and for most Bichon Frise, it is curly. They should have black lips as well.

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

bichon frise dog - characteristicsThe Bichon Frise, according to the American Kennel Club is a cheerful and merry dog. They are gentle, playful, sensitive and affectionate. These dogs love people, are very social and like other dogs as well. They love to play with children and they are intelligent and affectionate. They were developed in their latter stages by the French to be “lap dogs” or companion animals. They are not territorial by nature but can become so if confined and encouraged. Start obedience training early and be consistent throughout their lives. They take to training easily if positive techniques are used. They do however, have a reputation for not taking well to housetraining. Be persistent

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

bichon frise puppies - health problemsThe coat of the Bichon Frise can easily become matted if not brushed or combed every day. Severe matting can lead to a hematoma in their ears. They are also very prone to ear infections so paying a lot of attention to their ears is imperative. They are will chew and scratch themselves if not groomed well and this can cause skin infections and conditions. They might have allergies to fleas, pollen, chemicals, and dust. The patella (knee cap) can be loose, diabetes, cataracts and heart disease also affect the Bichon Frise. In the United Kingdom the number one cause of death for the breed is old age -13 plus years, with 21% dying of cancer. In North America cancer is the number one killer as it is for most dogs. The Bichon might also be afflicted with hematologic disorders such as AIHA (Autoimmune hemolytic anemia) and ITP (Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia) which while less common than cancer will kill the dog much earlier in life than cancer. The other condition that the Bichon Frise is prone to are liver shunts. If found early they can be surgically corrected but most are not, and liver failure is eventually the cause of death.

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

bichon frise dogs - caringBeing a small dog, the Bichon Frise is susceptible to obesity and that condition will be terminal in the end for this breed. So make sure you do not overfeed your Bichon Frise. The same is true with the use of treats. The Bichon loves treats and loves the association with treats of having pleased you. They should be fed small meals – about ¼ cup of good high quality dry food twice a day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the Bichon Frise is susceptible to:

Hematomas and infections of the ear if not groomed well and consistently.

Cancer is number one killer.

Hematological Issues are deadlier than cancer.

Liver shunts are a very serious concern.

Exercise and games

Though the Bichon Frise is not an overly active dog, they do love to play. They are characterized by short bursts of activity followed by long periods of rest. They can be worn out just by running around the house. You must play with them everyday as well as take them on a walk each day. Bichons are fast and agile and do well in agility trials. They also like to compete in rally and obedience trials. Most of all they love to and need to play with their people every day.

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

  1. Wheaten Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Wheaten Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Wheaten Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Wheaten Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Wheaten Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Wheaten Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Wheaten Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Wheaten Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Wheaten Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Wheaten Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Wheaten Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Wheaten Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Wheaten Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Wheaten Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Wheaten Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Wheaten Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Wheaten Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Wheaten Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Wheaten Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Wheaten Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Wheaten Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Wheaten Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Wheaten Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Wheaten Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Wheaten Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Bichon Frise vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Bichon Frise vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Bichon Frise vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Bichon Frise vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Bichon Frise vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Bichon Frise vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Bichon Frise vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Bichon Frise vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Bichon Frise vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Bichon Frise vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Bichon Frise vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Bichon Frise vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Bichon Frise vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Bichon Frise vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Bichon Frise vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Bichon Frise vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Bichon Frise vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Bichon Frise vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Bichon Frise vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Bichon Frise vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Bichon Frise vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Bichon Frise vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Bichon Frise vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Bichon Frise vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Bichon Frise vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison