You want a lively, energetic breed that is full of itself? The Wire Haired Fox Terrier may be for you. According to the Fox Terrier Club the breed dates back to the middle of the nineteenth century and is believed to have come from crosses of Black and Tan Terriers, Old English Terriers, Bull Terriers, Greyhounds and Beagles. Originally used on fox hunts in England the Fox Terrier would harass the fox from its hole. Such a task was not for the faint of heart canine. The breed’s popularity as a family pet grew in the 1930’s when a Wire Haired Fox Terrier named Asta appeared in the Thin Man films. The breed standard was implemented in 1876 and remains nearly the same today. Changes include the fact that tail docking is now optional and the weight for dogs is stated more specifically.
The American Kennel Club breed standard indicates that the Wire Haired Fox Terrier should be alert, quick- moving, easily provoked and exhibit a keen expression. It should be of good bone, strength, speed, endurance and power. The specific physical characteristics include a height of no more than 15 ½ inches at the withers for the dog (slightly less for the bitch). A dog should weigh 18 pounds; the bitch about two pounds less. The back should measure twelve inches from the withers to the root of the tail. The head should measure between 7 and 7 ¼ inches from the back of the occipital bone to the nostrils. The skull is almost flat, sloping slightly and gradually decreasing in width towards the eyes. It should be no wider than 3 ½ inches at any part. Eyes should be dark, deep set, circular and not too far apart. The top of the ears should be well above the skull, small, of moderate thickness, folded and hanging in a V- shape close to the cheek. The top coat is dense and "wiry", hence the name of the breed, while the undercoat is short and soft. Coat color is predominantly white with black, tan or black and tan markings. On the properly groomed dog the hair on the legs and muzzle will be shorter than that on its body. A more complete description of the breed may be found at the akcdotorg website.
The breed sheds little and can be brushed with a firm bristle brush. Its lack of shedding should not be confused with the lack of a need for grooming. In fact, with the Wire Haired Fox Terrier quite the opposite is true. While professional grooming will keep the coat looking its best it can be expensive. However, undertaking the necessary task of hand stripping the dog can be very time consuming. Hand stripping is a process where the hair is pulled out rather than cut. For pet dogs this needs to be done a couple of times a year. For show dogs the stripping process takes place more often. Of course the coat can be cut or clipped. However, this causes the coat colors to fade and the texture of the coat to change thereby diminishing one of the breed’s distinctive characteristics.
The Wire Haired Fox Terrier is a healthy and hearty breed. They have a life expectancy of about 13 to 14 years and suffer from few ailments. At the website dogbreedinfodotcom epilepsy is cited as a health concern. Also listed as minor health concerns for the breed are distichiasis – the abnormal growth of an eyelash form the meibomian glands along the eyelid margin, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease – necrosis of the femoral head, lens luxation and cataracts.
A highly social breed the Wire Haired Fox Terrier should not be thought of as a dog that can be left alone in the yard. This dog wants to be a member of the family and a part of the action. If left to its own devices in a yard it can cause havoc with its barking and digging. The breed is friendly and outgoing with people though like other breeds it can be protective of its family. Generally playful with children the breed has been known to bite. Therefore it requires a watchful eye in the presence of younger children.
Similar to the other terrier breeds the Wire Haired is intelligent but stubborn. This can make the breed difficult to train. However an owner who establishes rules and regulations when the dog is very young and remains firm and consistent in the application of training should earn the respect of their canine companion. Since the breed is known to bark and dig there are special training considerations. From the very beginning it is important to teach the dog to "halt" or stop these behaviors on command.
The energy, intelligence and speed of the Wire Haired Fox Terrier make it a great candidate for competitive canine events like flyball and agility. Of course the breed can also be used for hunting. The breed loves to play chase games and go on long walks; both excellent ways to provide the daily exercise required for this energetic breed.
As with all breeds the Wire Haired Fox Terrier possesses some traits that potential owners must be aware of. The breed’s dominant nature can lead to aggression toward other dogs (larger and smaller) as well as other pets. A comment on wirefoxterrierdotcom indicates that the breed is absolutely not the dog of choice if you plan to bring more than one dog in the house. It is imperative that the breed be properly socialized to other small animals (dogs, cats, etc.) from the very beginning.
The potential for aggression toward other animals along with a proclivity to explore means that the dog should be on a leash at all times unless it is confined to a properly enclosed area. The digging of the Wire Haired Fox Terrier will allow it to escape from the typical fence enclosure. For this breed a properly enclosed area means a fence enclosure that is set well below ground level and high enough to prevent them from jumping over it.
If you determine that the Wire Haired Fox Terrier is the breed for you, be sure to locate a reputable breeder. A good place to start is by contacting your local Wire Haired Fox Terrier Club. If you can’t find a local club seek out a state or regional club. These clubs will be able to refer you to the breeders that have pups available. When you speak with the breeder ask a lot of questions and be sure that the breeder asks a lot of you. This should not offend you but indicate that the breeder you have contacted is concerned with making sure that you have done your homework and understand the pros and cons of the breed as a way of ensuring that the puppy will be going to a home where it will receive the love and care it deserves.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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