Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Introduction
- Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Overview
- Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Do Harriers shed more than Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Overview
Both the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are similar in size. The Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier 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 Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
| Factor | Harrier | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 30 to 40 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1050 – $2200 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1810 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 51 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Harrier is 81 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 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 Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 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.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers live longer than Harriers.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers 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 Harrier named Bailey that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Bailey on pefinder.com.
Also, like Harriers, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Manny 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 Manny that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Zimba is an adorable Male Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Harriers and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is 51 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Harrier
Popularity of Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 51 |
| 2014 | 181 | 49 |
| 2015 | 183 | 47 |
| 2016 | 186 | 50 |
| 2017 | 183 | 49 |
| 2018 | 189 | 53 |
| 2019 | 186 | 54 |
| 2020 | 190 | 58 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 2 tests are recommended for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Health Problems
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Breed is Paroxysmal Dyskinesia problems.
This is because the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Paroxysmal Dyskinesia problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, 11 of them had Paroxysmal Dyskinesia problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 162 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Paroxysmal Dyskinesia problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 7 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 46 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 79 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 126 out of 182 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?
Harriers shed moderately.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Harriers 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 Harrier or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
Harriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers 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 Harrier or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?
Harriers 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 Harriers and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?
Harriers 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 Harrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier 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 Harrier:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Cesky Terrier Harrier versus Akita Chow Harrier versus Shiranian Harrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Harrier versus Gordon Setter Harrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff Harrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Harrier versus Mastiff Harrier versus Pharaoh Hound Harrier versus American Hairless Terrier Harrier versus Brussels Griffon Harrier versus Bich Poo Harrier versus Puggle Harrier versus Brittany Harrier versus Irish Setter Harrier versus Miniature Poodle Harrier versus Great Dane Harrier versus Beaglier Harrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais Harrier versus Schipperke Harrier versus Norwegian Lundehund Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd Harrier versus Finnish Lapphund Harrier versus Pyredoodle Harrier versus Shichon
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Chihuahua Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Border Terrier Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Bracco Italiano Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Peek A Poo Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Borzoi Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Miniature Poodle Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Pointer Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Whippet Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Australian Shepherd Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Bulldog Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Bullmastiff Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Havanese Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Mal Shi Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus American Bulldog Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Border Terrier Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog
Conclusion: Harrier 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 Harrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier better suits you and your family.