Soft coated wheaten terriers are Irish farm dogs. They were used to herd livestock, keep vermin down and were also used to 'go to ground' as badger hunters. Nowadays most wheatens are family pets, great companions and the type of happy, funny dogs that make home life the best place to be.
Wheatens are generally long-lived and healthy dogs. Like all dogs, however, they can become ill. Two health issues known in wheaten terriers are diseases where protein is lost from the intestine (protein losing enteropathy—PLE) or from the kidneys (protein losing nephropathy—PLN).
2011 was a thrilling year in the search for the cause of PLN. While there is no cure for PLN, US researchers have made a major discovery, to the extent that it was declared on the US wheaten terrier email list that there would be a genetic test for the disease in 2012.
Currently, regular testing can ensure that your wheaten is clear at the time of the test (the current test cannot predict if your dog will develop PLE/PLN). If your wheaten is at risk from these diseases, early diagnosis will be crucial to the management of their long-term health.
Most of the health information about PLE/PLN comes from the US where research for both diseases is advanced, although the mode of inheritance is still unknown. Not all the North American tests are available in Australia and the language of the US testing protocols can be different to that used in Australian veterinary medicine. This website contains basic information regarding PLE and PLN. It is hoped this site will assist Australian wheaten terrier owners to get their dog tested and in keeping track of their dog's health.
Test often for your wheaten's health.