BREED RESCUE: To Adopt
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Northern California (SCWTCNC) Rescue Committee was developed to assist Wheatens who are no longer able to reside in their present homes. Our goal is to provide rescue dogs with a permanent, stable and loving home where they will receive the care, understanding, patience and training they need throughout their lifetime.
WHAT IF I DON’T LIVE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA?
Our rescue program operates in Northern California, including the area around Reno, Nevada. We ONLY take or place dogs in Northern California. We don’t ship dogs outside of our area. There are several local rescue organizations around the country and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America fills in the gaps.
HOW DO I ADOPT A DOG
Complete an Adoption Application and return it to Northern California Wheaten Rescue. We make every attempt to place dogs into homes where prospective owners understand the dog’s needs and can provide the necessary care, stability, training and love they deserve.
HOW DOES RESCUE WORK?
When a dog needs to be rescued, she comes to live in a foster home. The foster parent evaluates the temperament of the dog and arranges for a trip to the vet for health screening. After temperament evaluation and health screening are completed, we look through our file of applications for a home suitable with the personality of the dog.
DO I GET PLACED ON A WAITING LIST?
Not really. We do not place dogs based on the order of applications received. We take into consideration the dog’s previous circumstances, temperament, and needs. For instance, if a dog had trouble living with cats or other dogs, then we would not place the dog where other pets already lived in the family. The converse would apply. If the dog were used to companion dogs, we would seek out a matching family. Obviously, we avoid repeating circumstances that caused the dog to come to rescue in the first place.
ARE THE DOGS HOUSE TRAINED?
Most are and some are not. We use crate training during the fostering process for dogs that are not house trained. In a healthy adult dog this is usually a matter of establishing a regular feeding schedule and toilet area.
DO THEY HAVE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS?
We get dogs that have behavioral problems like jumping up, whining, barking, fear, dominance issues, separation anxiety, avoidance, or pulling on the lead! A Wheaten is likely to pick her favorite vice and test you to see how much she can get away with. Most dogs are surrendered because of a problem that the owner could not deal with. We have every expectation that with proper training the problems will be overcome and our success in placing dogs is the proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks.
WILL I BE TOLD WHY THE DOG WAS SURRENDERED TO RESCUE?
The prospective owners are provided with the circumstances of why the Wheaten was given up and what to expect in training and socializing the dog in their new home. We are very concerned with the welfare of these rescue dogs and want to be assured that prospective owners understand their needs.
CAN I GET A WHEATEN IF I HAVE NEVER HAD A DOG BEFORE?
Wheatens may not be the best choice for a first dog. They can be stubborn and take advantage of the novice. Experience is valued, but with gentle but firm and consistent training anyone can add a Wheaten to the family.
HOW MANY DOGS ARE RESCUED?
As a general rule, there are more people who would like a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier than we have rescue dogs. In Northern California, we have about 12 dogs a year that are placed through our rescue program.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A DOG?
Dogs are carefully matched to families and situations, so waiting times for a rescue dog can vary.
ARE THEY ALL PUREBRED WHEATENS?
We do not always have any pedigree information on the dogs. If we do, we pass that along to the adoptive family. We evaluate all dogs that are not registered as Wheatens with the AKC and use our best judgment to determine their breed.
ARE WHEATENS EASY TO TRAIN?
Yes and no. Wheatens are terriers. They were originally Irish farm dogs bred to hunt small game. The basic Wheaten temperament is tougher, more stubborn and more difficult than many people expect. Given that tough nature, they are actually very receptive to training, but must be managed firmly and consistently.
HOW MUCH GROOMING DO THEY NEED?
Wheatens need to be combed a few times a week and groomed at least once a month to maintain a healthy coat. We can help you find a groomer in your area and they usually charge between $60 and $100 to groom the dog.
CAN I BREED THE DOG THAT I GET FROM RESCUE?
No, all dogs are spayed or neutered before they are placed in adoptive homes, so they are not able to reproduce.
WHERE DO THE RESCUE DOGS COME FROM?
Not all rescue dogs are abandoned or abused. Most come from a family situation where the owners did not understand or did not carefully think through the 14 year commitment with a Wheaten. Often, people don’t realize the amount of time and money required to train and keep a happy, well-behaved Wheaten Terrier. Sometimes an owner is no longer able to care for the dog due to an illness or other family emergency. We also accept dogs from shelters and area dog officers.
ARE THEY HEALTHY?
We provide a complete veterinary check-up including, but not limited to, the following as needed:
- Inoculations
- Spay/Neuter
- Heartworm Test
- Complete Blood Profile and/or Urinalysis for health screening for PLE/PLN
- Microchip
Treatment is begun for any conditions that are found during the veterinary checkup. If there are any chronic health problems, they are noted on the adoption documents and, of course, everyone is made aware of the condition, the treatment and prognosis.
SHOULD I KNOW ANY GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT WHEATEN HEALTH?
Yes, there are two possibly genetically transmitted conditions which seem to have a higher than normal incidence in Wheatens: protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). You can learn more on the heath pages of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America (www.scwtca.org).
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RESCUE A DOG?
Adoption Fees:
$500 for Wheaten 7 years old and younger
$300 for Wheaten 11 year old and younger
TBD for Wheaten older than 11 years.
Any additional donations would be greatly appreciated. Don’t forget there will be Vet bills, grooming, food and equipment.
CAN I LET YOU KNOW I WANT A DOG VIA EMAIL INSTEAD FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION?
No, you need to fill out an Adoption Application to be considered.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHEATENS?
There is a wealth of information about Wheatens at the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America website (SCWTCA.org).
Applications
How to Adopt – Adoption Application, Foster Application, Placement Agreement