45-55 lbs
13-17"
United States
The Bully Wheaten is a medium sized dog that is a result of the Bulldog and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. This breed is very healthy and can live up to 15 years with very few possible hereditary illnesses. They are very furry with a medium length coat that can be white, black, brown, or red. Your Bully Wheaten is a quiet and friendly dog that likes children and other pets. However, they can be difficult to train so they are not great for first time dog owners. They are not too excitable or overly energetic so you may have to coax them into getting enough exercise.
The Bulldog originated in the 1200s from the ancient Bullenbeissers in England as a livestock and hunting dog. The breed was also used for bull baiting, which started in the 13th century. The Bulldog was trained to attack the bull by biting its nose and not letting go of it because the people insisted the meat was better that way. They were also used for baiting bears. Once that was outlawed in 1835, some tried to get them into dog fighting but they did not do well in that respect. The Bulldog of today is sometimes referred to as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. The Bulldog Club was formed in 1878 in England and the breed was accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1886. They were bred into being a calm and good natured dog breed by selective breeding and are now the fourth most popular dog breed in the United States. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier originated in Ireland in the 1700s. Their original function was herding, guarding homes, and hunting rats and other vermin. Irish farmers found them to be their answer to the rat problem and this breed has continued to be a good ratter for over 200 years. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is the oldest Terrier that is native to Ireland. They were first recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in the 1930s but were not noticed by the AKC until 1973. Now they are the 50th most popular dog in the United States. Your Bully Wheaten will share the characteristics of these two parent breeds.
The Bully Wheaten is a medium sized dog with a shaggy coat, furry face, floppy ears, and a medium sized head. They are usually red, white, brown, or black with a black nose and large dark eyes. They have a large head, short and furry tail, long back legs, and shorter front legs. They average about 13 to 20 inches tall and 50 pounds. Depending on the parentage, the Bully Wheaten may look more like the Bulldog in some cases, where they may be shorter and more stocky with shorter hair. Either way, they are sturdy and muscular under all that fur and look generally well-balanced.
With the Bully Wheaten’s furry coat, you need to brush them at least every other day with a stiff bristle brush and metal comb. To remove tangles and mats you should loosen them with your fingers before combing out to prevent hair damage. You can bathe your Bully Wheaten when needed but do not shampoo them too often. Be sure to check their ears for dirt and wax once a week and trim their nails when needed. In addition, veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth at least every other day to prevent periodontal disease. They make special toothpaste for dogs that is recommended.
Your dog may be harder to train than most dogs because the Bully Wheaten likes to test the boundaries and try to get away with whatever they can. That is why it is important to be consistent in training and to not use physical punishment. Positive reinforcement works best with any dog. They are friendly dogs but need to be socialized at a young age so they know how to interact with other pets, especially cats. They have the hunting instinct bred into them so they should not be trusted with small animals like hamsters, ferrets, or birds. The Bully Wheaten definitely enjoys chasing squirrels and rabbits while outside so you should keep her on a leash if you do not want her to do this.
Your Bully Wheaten may be a bit of a couch potato. They tend to be lazy and just want to lay around the house. However, to keep them healthy and prevent obesity you should make sure your dog gets about 30 to 45 minutes of brisk activity per day. Some of the activities your Bully Wheaten may enjoy include playing Frisbee, fetching the ball, walking or jogging around the neighborhood, playing at the park, and agility training. They also enjoy hunting and swimming so if you have the opportunity, your Bully Wheaten may enjoy a trip to the woods or the lake.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 10/07/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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