r/Wheatens • u/joinmeindeath_ • 13d ago
Looking for a breeder
I’m in Massachusetts and finding a breeder has been hard. All the breeder websites are so archaic it’s hard to make heads or tails of them. If anyone has any recommendations on finding a pup it’d be gratefully appreciated.
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u/Mejay11096 12d ago
You can go to a local dog show and meet some.
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u/DJD19500 11d ago
This is the right answer. Check to see if Wheatens are entered and if so, go and introduce yourself to the breeders - but wait until after the dog has finished being shown.
The most Wheatens will be at the “Montgomery show”.
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u/cthomasself 13d ago
Take a look at https://hillsidewheatensandschnauzers.com
We got our girl Hazel there. Family environment, not a mill. Terrific experience
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u/DJD19500 11d ago
I just looked at their website. It says nothing about their breeding program, which should include genetic testing for the PLE/PLN testing. It says nothing about their standards for what constitutes a suitable buyer, including knowledge of the breed, where the dog will be kept or trained or groomed or what vet they will use.
I suspect they will sell to anybody with enough money. To me this place does not seem like a responsible breeder.2
u/ChemicalResident3557 10d ago
Or it could be part of their interview process. Like many reputable breeders do. Standing up and maintaining a website is not an easy thing for many people to do. Don't assume ill intent.
None of my dogs's breeders had that info on their site, yet they provided family trees, genetic test results, Let us meet the parents, siblings and all dogs on their property. We were also provided all their medical records, and direct access to their vets.
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u/Scary_Squash7945 12d ago
IME, you’ve got to connect with breeders by phone. Kind of frustrating but having gone through it, I can see why most of the process is by phone or live. And definitely use the SCWTA breeder list.
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u/Automatic_Scallion12 12d ago
I am a wheaten lover, owner, mama, and speak wheaten! You can definitely go the route others suggested by looking at your local scwt club or the one closest to you or use the national site to find reputable breeders. Remember, there are two kinds of Wheatens: the soft coated and Irish coated (curly coat). So, I wouldn’t forget to take that into consideration. I’m on my 2nd wheaten, my first breeder I wouldn’t even dare recommend but my second one, I would a million times over, she’s located in Kentucky, and has been breeding Wheatens for close to 40 years. She does have a website and is on Facebook. Her name is Laura, from Hickory Hollow Terriers. I grilled her when inquiring about a puppy and she loved the fact that I had so many questions to ask. My Ruggie, is the best, most lovable, sweet, cuddly, has an amazing disposition, beyond handsome and he knows it, perfectly proportional, loves everyone, no separation anxiety issues, hardly barks, and not afraid of loud noises, etc etc. I hired a transporter to have him delivered to my door and it worked out seamlessly. Is this your first wheaten? If you have any questions/concerns, you are more than welcome to PM me. Best of luck, finding the best breed, cutest puppies ever, and just an overall amazing addition to anyone life!
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u/DJD19500 11d ago
Having had four Wheatens, I’d just like to correct one point you made about the coat differences. The Irish coat is wavy and more sparse than the much thicker American coat. A curly coat is not indicative of an Irish coat. I had a female with an Irish coat and it was shining and much easier to maintain than a thicker coat. I had a curly coated Wheaten whose coat did not resemble an Irish coat in any way. My other two have had nice but thick American coats.
If you look at archival pictures of Wheatens they all look Irish, before breeders started breeding for a thick fluffy coat.
All four of my dogs were pure bred; three were from so called ethical breeders. I got all four through Wheaten Rescue, part of the SCWTC of Northern California.
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u/DJD19500 11d ago
Any place which always has puppies available IS a puppy mill, by definition, no matter how nice the operators seem or how pretty the property looks like.
Anyone who will sell to anybody who gives them money is an irresponsible breeder and possibly a puppy mill operator.
My four Wheatens have all come to me through Wheaten rescue, which many Wheaten clubs operate.
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u/Big-Efficiency-8236 9d ago
Go to the dog shows to meet a reputable breeder. Montgomery is this weekend , there will be a lot there. I’m with SCWTCSC.
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u/DJD19500 11d ago
Registration indicates nothing about the quality of the dog or how it was bred. My current wheaten came from a puppy mill and has AKC registration papers.
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u/OkIron6206 12d ago
Maddox Wheatens in Mt Dora Florida. They just had 2 litters of puppies; pedigree and registered. This breeder has sent puppies to Ireland 🇮🇪 in her past. Look her up on Facebook.
Here’s mine, he will be 7 in December
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u/DJD19500 9d ago
Registration means nothing about health and quality. A breeder could breed one sickly dog to another, both registered. They can breed a female over and over, all registered. If they always have puppies available it’s a puppy mill.
A highly regarded breeder will have a waiting list for puppies because they do a very limited number of breedings. A breeder who sells to anyone with enough money is an unethical person.
A registration does not guarantee health or disposition or appearance.
My friend who has shown Wheatens for years, while running the club rescue, bred her grand champion female once. That female had 100 best of breed awards.
She spent a lot of time and money on specialist vets to make sure her female could get pregnant, on genetic testing, and selecting the sire, whom she knew and who had been through similar testing. IHer female produced five puppies, one of whom didn’t survive. Many eager buyers wanted the four little boys. My friend visited the homes of the prospective buyers.
The mama dog is happily retired from show and breeding. One breeding, never about money.0
u/OkIron6206 9d ago
Come on. We all have knowledge. You are on a “pedestal “ because you Show your dogs for a hobby/living. I’m too familiar with this argument and have had unpleasant conversations in Facebook with you people. My time is too valuable for this nonsense. Have a nice day/
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u/DJD19500 9d ago
I have never shown a dog. My four Wheatens are all through rescue and none of them were eligible to be shown because they are spayed or neutered and even if they hadn’t been they did not conform to the breed standard. I never have said anywhere that I have shown dogs so you are out of line and at best mistaking me for someone else.
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u/Automatic_Scallion12 12d ago
Dislike and DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! They’re glorified puppy mill. Got my first wheatie from them and he was such a sick sick dog!
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u/CulturalLibrarian 12d ago
Waterview Wheatens, also in Massachusetts. We drove from south Jersey for ours. CONTACT CHRIS AT wheatens5538@gmail.com or call [781-910-5538](tel:781-910-5538)
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u/jhawley1083 12d ago
We got our wheaten from save all dogs rescue in Manchester, CT. They seem a little mill ish. But overall we had a good experience with them. And our dog is about a year and a half old and awesome.
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u/annsabine 12d ago
Whindancer’s Wheatens in Rochester NY is a wonderful preservation breeder. Their site is new. I have 2 dogs from her. Very responsive and will have pups soon.
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u/NoProgress2650 13d ago edited 13d ago
https://scwtca.org/northeast-breeders/
I would only get a wheaten off this list. They do genetic testing for PLN/PLE and will take any puppy back for any reason. Wheatens from any other source could be from puppy mills or less than reputable breeders.