Dog health

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 22 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 6 health issues to plan for: hip dysplasia, inherited eye disease, ear infections, Addison's disease, kidney disease and digestive problems. A typical vet bill for a medium dog runs $239 – $1,107.

Health problems linked to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Hip dysplasiaNamed by: breed club screening [3]The hip joint forms loosely, so the ball and socket rub and wear. Over time this usually leads to arthritis and pain. [2]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [4]
Ongoing arthritis care: $500–$2,500 total [5]
Inherited eye diseaseNamed by: breed club screening [3]Breed clubs ask for regular exams by a veterinary eye specialist to catch inherited eye problems before they cause trouble. [6]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [7]
Ear infectionsNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Floppy or hairy ears trap moisture, which makes infections more likely. Regular cleaning helps, and repeat infections often point to allergies. [8]Ear infection treatment (owner bills): $200–$650 [9]
Addison's diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]The adrenal glands make too little hormone. It can cause vague illness or a sudden crisis, and is managed with lifelong medicine. [10]Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [11]
Kidney diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]The kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste. It is managed with diet, fluids and regular blood tests rather than cured. [12]Ongoing medication (owner bills): $40–$225 [13]
Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [11]
Digestive problems (IBD)Named by: AKC breed page [1]Long-term inflammation of the gut causes repeat vomiting or diarrhea. It is managed with diet and sometimes medicine. [14]Vomiting and diarrhea treatment (owner bills): $250–$1,050 [15]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: As with all breeds, a Wheaten's ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed often, using a toothpaste formulated for dogs. Wheatens are generally healthy dogs, and responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as protein-losing nephropathy, a kidney ailment; protein-losing enteropathy, a term that is applied to several gastrointestinal conditions; Addison's disease; and renal dysplasia. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Hip Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Protein Losing Nephropathy - Variant 1 (PLN) - DNA Test, Complete Blood Count (CBC), Urinalysis, UPC/Micro Albumin (MA) Test, Serum Chemical Screen, Protein Losing Nephropathy - Variant 2 (PLN) - DNA Test. [1][3] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 1 DNA health test for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [16] One health test costs $58 there. [17]

What to budget

For a medium dog like the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, a typical vet bill runs $239 – $1,107 (median $482), and surgery, when needed, runs $264 – $2,106. [18]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 12–14 years and you get roughly $10,500–$19,000 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [18][19] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [20] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [21] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [22]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are hip dysplasia, inherited eye disease, ear infections, Addison's disease, kidney disease and digestive problems. That doesn't mean every Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For medium dogs, a typical vet bill runs $239 – $1,107 (median $482).

Should I get pet insurance for a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Hip Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Protein Losing Nephropathy - Variant 1 (PLN) - DNA Test, Complete Blood Count (CBC), Urinalysis, UPC/Micro Albumin (MA) Test, Serum Chemical Screen, Protein Losing Nephropathy - Variant 2 (PLN) - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 12–14 years.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed guideHip dysplasia in dogsEar infection treatment cost for catsCarprofen (Rimadyl)Dog ACL (TPLO) surgery costArthritis treatment cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (22) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Hip dysplasia in dogs
  3. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  4. VetReceipt – Dog Hip Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. VetReceipt – Dog Arthritis Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  6. OFA – Eye certification
  7. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  8. VCA – Ear infections in dogs
  9. VetReceipt – Dog Ear Infection Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  10. VCA – Addison's disease in dogs
  11. VetReceipt – Dog Blood Work Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  12. VCA – Chronic kidney disease in dogs
  13. VetReceipt – Dog Chronic Medication Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  14. VCA – Inflammatory bowel disease in dogs
  15. VetReceipt – Dog Vomiting & Diarrhea Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  16. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier DNA tests
  17. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  18. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  19. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  20. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  21. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  22. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)