1976was the first year of publication for a wheaten bulletin. Through the efforts of Alan Fox of Regina Saskatchewan, the bulletin was distributed to the 20 known households with wheatens. The determination of Alan Fox and Anne Goodsell of British Columbia to bring the breed to full recognition by the Canadian Kennel Club was successful in May of 1978. As of January 1979 the breed competed in the terrier group in Canada. This is a medium sized dog, with a compact body, giving a square outline when viewed from the side.
Bitches tend to be somewhat smaller than the males.
The breed is known for its abundant wheaten coloured coat that at adulthood falls in soft waves. It is a continuous, non-shedding coat that requires extensive maintenance and regular trimming to keep its proper shape. Coat can vary from the standard by being coarse, curly or stand-offish in texture and by being too light or grey in colour. Soft coated Wheaten puppies are usually born very dark in colour, being dark brown, red or mahogany, some with black masks and black tipping on the body coat. This colouring continuously lightens until 1-3 years of age when the coat colour then stabilizes to the adult wheaten colour.