Is the Barbet or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier better for families with children?

Both the Barbet and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Barbet or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

The Barbet and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier shed a similar amount (very low).

Which is easier to train, the Barbet or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

The Barbet is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is Barbet or Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier bigger?

Barbet and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, Barbet or Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

Both bark a similar amount (low).

Which is better for apartment living, Barbet or Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

For apartment or apartment living, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Barbet vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Which Is Calmer?

Barbet vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: full comparison

Trait	Barbet	Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Size	Medium	Medium
Energy level	High	Medium
Trainability	High	Medium
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	Very High	Very High
Shedding	Very Low	Very Low
Barking	Low	Low
Protectiveness	Low	Medium
Adaptability	High	High
Typical lifespan	14 years	13 years
Hypoallergenic	Yes	Yes

Size and living space

The Barbet is a medium-sized dog that is comfortable in most homes, though a bit of space and a yard are welcome. By comparison, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog that is comfortable in most homes, though a bit of space and a yard are welcome. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Barbet needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier needs a solid walk or two a day plus some active play. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.

Grooming and shedding

The Barbet is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and barely sheds, keeping your home and clothes clean. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and barely sheds, keeping your home and clothes clean. Both are considered hypoallergenic, so either works well for allergy-conscious homes. Grooming upkeep is similar for both.

Temperament, training and family life

The Barbet takes to training fast and works willingly, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. On guarding instinct, Barbet is not especially protective and is welcoming to visitors, whereas Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Barbet and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Barbet has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Barbet and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For allergy sufferers, Barbet and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Barbet if you want an easier dog to train, you want a more energetic partner for sport and adventure, or you want a longer-lived breed.

Choose the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier if you want a more protective, watchful guardian or you want a calmer, lower-energy companion.

Not sure which breed is right for you?

Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.

Find your perfect match

Frequently asked questions

Is the Barbet or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier better for families with children?: Both the Barbet and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Barbet or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?: The Barbet and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier shed a similar amount (very low).
Which is easier to train, the Barbet or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?: The Barbet is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Barbet or Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier bigger?: Barbet and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, Barbet or Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?: Both bark a similar amount (low).
Which is better for apartment living, Barbet or Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?: For apartment or apartment living, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Barbet vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier