WIRE FOX TERRIER
APPEARANCE
The Wire Fox Terrier is a small to medium sized dog, with a sturdy build. He has a distinctive beard and a long muzzle. These dogs have a dense, wiry coat, and the coloring is predominantly white with black and tan markings. The weight of the Wire Fox Terrier is around 15-20 pounds for females, and 20-25 pounds for males. The height of these dogs is around 14-16 inches for females, and 15-17 inches for males.
PERSONALITY
The Wire Fox Terrier is an affectionate, lively, and alert little dog. This is a breed that is impulsive, inquisitive, and loves to run or chase things. He is very agile and fast, and must always be provided with a secure and safe area in which to exercise and play when not on a leash. The Wire Fox Terrier has an abundance of energy, and needs a good amount of exercise, so he is best suited to very active families. He is independent, yet he thrives on the companionship, attention, and love of his family.
TRAINING
These dogs need physical interaction and mental stimulation, and are not suited for those with little time for their pets. Alert, with a very good sense of sight and sound, the Wire Fox Terrier makes a good watchdog. He does have a strong stubborn streak and can be manipulative, so is best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership.
EXERCISE
The Wire Fox Terrier will need to be taken to an off-leash park or on a long walk regularly. Running around in a fenced in area will be much better for them to burn off their energy but as long as they get a minimum of an hour per day of exercise, they will be a happy dog.
SOCIALIZATION
The Wire Fox Terrier needs early socialization, and firm yet positive training. The Wire Fox Terrier can have a real possessive streak when it comes to his belongings and food, and will think nothing of starting a fight with another animal over it. These dogs are not best suited to multi-pet households, and will be bossy with other dogs and predatory with smaller animals including cats. The Wire Fox Terrier gets along with older, gentle children that will not pester or rough handle him. They tend to be sociable with strangers when properly socialized.
LIVING CONDITIONS
A Wire Fox Terrier is fit to an apartment life but should be provided with sufficient exercise. It can tolerate heat and cold fairly well but is basically an inside dog. It is definitely not a kennel or crate dog and a fenced yard is quite preferable to fulfill its need to run and play.
GROOMING
The Wire Fox Terrier does need a fair amount of grooming. You will need to brush his coat on a weekly basis, and trim the hair from inside the ears. Also keep the hair around the bottom trimmed for hygiene reasons. You may need to get the coat clipped or trimmed every few months, and for show dogs stripping of the dead coat will be required. With proper grooming the Wire Fox Terrier is a low shedder, and may therefore suit those with allergies.
HEALTH ISSUES
The Wire Fox Terrier has a life expectancy of around 12-15 years. Some of the possible health problems linked to this breed, include: cataracts, PRA, heart problems, epilepsy, Legg-Perthes, luxating patella, thyroid problems, and digestive problems. The parents of the Wire Fox Terrier puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates.
HISTORY
The Wire Fox Terrier originates from England, and was originally bred to hunt vermin. Until the mid 1980s the breed was grouped with the smooth variety, but then became registered as a separate breed. These terriers were first registered with the AKC in 1885.
