A Word About Wheaten Health

It is important to ask breeders about their dogs' health. The Wheaten is basically a healthy animal with unwavering vitality, but there are some problems. Partly because of a limited gene pool and partly because of "matador breeding" (breeding to a dog that has won often), several diseases - hereditary, familial, or what, we do not yet know - have cropped up in our breed. One is RD (renal dysplasia: abnormal development of kidneys); another is PLE (protein losing enteropathy ; protein lose through the stomach); a third is PLN (protein losing nephropathy: protein lose through the intestines). You should inquire whether a breeder has experienced it in his/her kennel. An ethical breeder will give you a full account of any such experiences.

We lost a Wheaten (I had campaigned him to #1 Wheaten midyear, 1982), apparently to kidney disease. We had acquired him as a puppy, but neither his breeder nor we knew such illnesses even existed then. Receiving no help from U.S. breeders, I researched the problem with help from the British Wheaten Club. We stopped breeding for five years until we could procure new bloodlines that, we feel, are not affected.

I'll tell you this not to frighten you, but to let you know that Wheatens - like every other purebred breed - have fallen prey to inherited problems. Today our national club, scientists and concerned breeders work to eradicate these diseases. We hope we are breeding judiciously.

There are other health factors that occur in some Wheatens: hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and others. All of these are discussed in greater detail in the Owner's Manual I have written for new puppy owners.

Good Nutrition

Good nutrition is vital for a healthy Wheaten. We recommend a natural, raw diet when possible (or high quality commercial food minus additives other than vitamins). We require that our puppy owners add Prozyme (1/4 tsp.) to the food daily as well as about 1 tsp. of Barley Dog, a green powder made from young barley plants. Our Wheaten Manual II deals fully with the subject of proper nutrition.