What happens to the coat color of Wheaten Terrier puppies?

Puppies typically arrive with dark coats, manifesting in shades of red, brown, or mahogany, which gradually lightens after about six months.

The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier undergoes a significant and prolonged color transformation throughout its development. Unlike many breeds where puppy coloring is close to the adult shade, Wheatens are born with dark pigmentation, which can appear as red, brown, or mahogany. This dark puppy coat darkens further initially before a crucial reversal begins around six months of age. The coat starts to lighten gradually during this period, and it can take until the dog is between one and three years old for the standard, full wheaten color to be completely established. This change is so notable that any new hair growing over an injury during this maturation period will temporarily grow back in the darker puppy shade.