Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd

Compare the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier to the Miniature Australian Shepherd. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers and Miniature Australian Shepherds.

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an excellent choice for new/inexperienced owners. The Miniature Australian Shepherd is okay for new owners, but may not be as easy as the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Children - Both the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and Miniature Australian Shepherd are great with children.
  • Grooming - The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is easy to groom. The Miniature Australian Shepherd has high grooming requirements.
  • Barking - Both breeds will bark frequently, but the Miniature Australian Shepherd has the highest tendency to bark between the two.
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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Black & White Miniature Australian Shepherd
Breed NameSoft Coated Wheaten TerrierMiniature Australian Shepherd
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicYesNo
Lifespan12-15 yrs.13-15 yrs.
Height17-20 in.13-18 in.
Weight30-45 lb30-40 lb
IntelligenceAverageHigh
History
Origin CountryIrelandUnited States
Origin Year1937 AD1978 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Pet FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Stranger FriendlyVery GoodGood
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Loving
  • Likes To Snuggle
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Loving
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardYesYes
Medium YardYesYes
Large YardYesNo
Temperature Tolerance ¹35°F to 80°F30°F to 80°F
Barks/HowlsOftenVery Often
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelMediumHigh-Very High
Exercise RequiredMediumHigh
Top Running Speed22 mph20 mph
StrengthMediumMedium
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceLowMedium
SheddingLowMedium
DanderLowMedium
Drool AmountLowLow

¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
Instincts & Behavior Comparison
Breed NameSoft Coated Wheaten TerrierMiniature Australian Shepherd
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoYes
Family/PackYesNo
IndependentNoNo
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageYesYes
Focused & PatientNoNo
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageBelow Average
ChasingAverageBelow Average
Follow CommandsAverageAverage
FightingBelow AverageVery Low
GuardingBelow AverageBelow Average
HerdingAverageHigh
HuntingBelow AverageBelow Average
ProtectionBelow AverageBelow Average
Remove VerminBelow AverageVery Low
SleddingBelow AverageBelow Average
WatchBelow AverageBelow Average
Health Comparison
Breed NameSoft Coated Wheaten TerrierMiniature Australian Shepherd
Lifespan
Lifespan12-15 yrs.13-15 yrs.
Common Health Issues
Addison's DiseaseYesNo
AllergiesYesNo
CancerYesNo
Drug SensitivityNoYes
GlaucomaNoYes
Iris ColobomaNoYes
Juvenile CataractsNoYes
Progressive Retinal AtrophyNoYes
Renal DysplasiaYesNo
Retinal DysplasiaNoYes
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameSoft Coated Wheaten TerrierMiniature Australian Shepherd
Coat
HairYesNo
FurNoYes
Coat Type
Single CoatYesNo
Double CoatNoYes
Coat Texture
ShaggyYesNo
WavyYesYes
Coat Length(s)
MediumYesYes
LongNoYes
Coat Color(s)
WheatenYesNo
BlackNoYes
Blue MerleNoYes
LiverNoYes
Red MerleNoYes
White & BlackNoYes