Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Dutch Shepherd Versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Dutch Shepherd and for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Dutch Shepherd or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Overview

Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are similar in size. The Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Dutch Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dutch Shepherd to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Factor Dutch Shepherd Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 25 inches 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 30 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1590 $1810
Price Range $900 – $2000 $1050 – $2200
Temperament Score 96.2 percent 73.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dutch Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is 89 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a better pet than the Dutch Shepherd. So, you should get the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are most different:

  • Dutch Shepherds are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    The Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    Dutch Shepherds weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Dutch Shepherds are 21 to 25 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers weigh 30 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    The lifespan of Dutch Shepherds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Dutch Shepherds is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Temperament of the Dutch Shepherd Versus the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    The Dutch Shepherd has a better temperament than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dutch Shepherd is 96.2 percent while the temperament score for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is 73.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 96.2 percent, the Dutch Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 73.0 percent, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 26 Dutch Shepherds and 37 Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.

    Price of Dutch Shepherd versus Price of Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    The average price of the Dutch Shepherd puppy is $1590. The price of the Dutch Shepherd typically ranges from $900 – $2000. However, the price of a Dutch Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 116 Dutch Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppy is $1810. The price of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier typically ranges from $1050 – $2200. However, the price of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier can be as low as $500 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 170 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is more expensive than the Dutch Shepherd.

    Dutch Shepherd Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
    Average Price $1590 $1810
    Price Range $900 to $2000 $1050 to $2200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dutch Shepherd and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Dutch Shepherd puppies or how many Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dutch Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dutch Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

    A breakdown of the prices of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dutch Shepherd puppy or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Adopting the Dutch Shepherd versus Adopting the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dutch Shepherds and many Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Dutch Shepherd named Gene that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dutch Shepherds like Gene on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dutch Shepherds, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Zimba is a Male Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers like Zimba that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Doc is the name of another Dutch Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Jimmy is an adorable Male Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Dutch Shepherds and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Dutch Shepherds and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

    Dutch Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Dutch Shepherds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

    Dutch Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Dutch Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dutch Shepherd or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

    Dutch Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Dutch Shepherds and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

    Dutch Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dutch Shepherd or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dutch Shepherd that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Dutch Shepherd:

  • French Spaniel (80 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs French Spaniel.
  • Japanese Spitz (79 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Japanese Spitz.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier:

  • Cavachon (82 percent match with Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Cavachon.
  • Lowchen (80 percent match with Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Lowchen.
  • Cockalier (81 percent match with Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Cockalier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dutch Shepherd and how the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dutch Shepherd and of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier to other breeds:

    Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dutch Shepherd versus Lakeland Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Basset Hound     Dutch Shepherd versus Lhasa Apso     Dutch Shepherd versus Chow Chow     Dutch Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus Harrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Pomchi     Dutch Shepherd versus Black Mouth Cur     Dutch Shepherd versus Briard     Dutch Shepherd versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Dutch Shepherd versus Norwich Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Manchester Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Belgian Sheepdog     Dutch Shepherd versus Tibetan Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Dalmatian     Dutch Shepherd versus Dalmatian     Dutch Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel     Dutch Shepherd versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus Carolina Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus Shihpoo     Dutch Shepherd versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus Standard Poodle     Dutch Shepherd versus Pyredoodle     Dutch Shepherd versus Hovawart     

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Bolognese     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Morkie     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Golden Retriever     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Golden Retriever     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Dalmatian     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Barbet     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Frenchton     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Chow Chow     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Border Collie     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Berger Picard     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Akita Chow     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Bordoodle     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus German Pinscher     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Havanese     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Beagle     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Frenchton     

    Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Dutch Shepherd and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier better suits you and your family.