Wire Fox Terriers are small-sized terrier dogs with coats of dense and wiry texture. It often comes in white color with black and tan markings. The Wire Fox Terrier stands at the height of 15 inches, has V-shaped ears, and dark, round eyes that speak of alertness.
Like any other terriers, these dogs are spirited and have boundless energy. They are best paired with families who can cope up with their upbeat nature. They may not be suitable dogs for inexperienced owners. They need someone with lots of patience to give them consistent training.
Wire Fox Terrier Breed Statistics
| Dog Breed Group | Terrier |
| Breed Size | Small |
| Height | 15 ½ inches |
| Weight | 18 pounds (male); 15-17 pounds (female) |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
Wire Fox Terrier Breed Ratings
| Energy level | |
| Exercise needs | |
| Requires attention | |
| Playfulness | |
| Trainability | |
| Shedding | |
| Grooming | |
| Friendly with family | |
| Friendly with kids | |
| Friendly with strangers | |
| Friendly with other dogs | |
| Prey Drive |
Wire Fox Terrier History
Wire Fox Terriers is one of the two breeds of Fox Terriers developed in late 18th century England. This was when fox hunting had been prevalent, and fox hunters needed dogs that could enter a fox’ den and drive it out of its hiding place. It was also ensured that the dog has white fur, so it’s not mistaken as a fox.
Wire Fox Terriers are believed to have descended from rough-coated black and tan terriers from Wales, Derbyshire, and Durham. They were then crossed with Smooth Fox Terriers to give their coat a whiter pigment, cleaner head, and a classic outline.
For years, Wire has been categorized in the same breed as the Smooth Fox Terriers. It has always been considered that they only differ in coat varieties. However, by 1985, The AKC finally separated the two breeds.
Now, Wire Fox Terriers rank 101st as the most popular dog breed in the US. They excel in dog shows and have won several awards. But other than great at canine events, these dogs are also loving family companions.
Temperament
Wire Fox Terriers are confident, alert, and gregarious dogs. Like a typical terrier breed, these dogs are active and playful dogs who need lots of exercise.
These dogs love the outdoors. So if you are taking him out, make sure that he is on-leash. It’s also great if you have a secured yard and always keep him supervised to ensure that he doesn’t do anything crazy.
They thrive for human companionship and look forward to him always wanting to please you. Don’t put them inside cages or leave them outside. Wire Fox Terriers need to be indoors and be involved in family activities.
They are easy to get along with other pets. However, some may show aggressiveness towards the same sex. If you have toddlers, make sure to provide supervision. Remember, dogs this size don’t quickly get along well with small children with unpredictable behavior.
These dogs are also known to be excellent watchdogs who will bark when someone suspicious enters your territory. They are also cautious towards strangers, but rarely aggressive.
Wire Fox Terriers are the best fit for active owners who can keep up with their boundless energy. They need someone firm, confident, and consistent that will be able to control his stubbornness.
Early socialization and training are essential if you want to see the best temperaments of the breed. This will also help make them more well-rounded and control destructive behavior.
Care Requirements
- Nutrition: Any diet can be given to your Wire Fox Terrier. However, you should ensure that it’s of high-quality and well-balanced. It should contain sources of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. If you’re going to buy commercial dog food, choose the ones that are of premium quality. This shouldn’t contain fillers and additives with low nutritional content and may be harmful to your dog. Watch out for the number of calories you feed your Wire Fox Terrier daily. These small dogs are easy to overfeed, and they can get overweight. Ask your vet for advice about how much to feed your dog, depending on its daily activities and age.
- Grooming: The Wire Fox Terrier’s wiry coat sheds infrequently. It also requires very minimal maintenance to keep it beautiful and healthy. If you usually bring them in show rings, you might need to do a weekly brushing to remove any dirt, loose hair, tangles, and mats from your dog’s coat. You might also need to take him regularly to a professional groomer for a trim and bath. However, if they’re not for show rings, you can still do all those but with minimal effort. Give him baths as needed, depending on how dirty he gets with the activities he does. Make sure to clean those ears to avoid infection, and trim those nails so your dog won’t experience pain and discomfort.
- Exercise: Exercises should be given regularly to Wire Fox Terriers. As any hunting breed, these dogs are athletic and have high amounts of energy. If you want him to behave indoors, they need to do something first. You can take him to long walks around the block or create activities that you can do together in your backyard. Make sure to keep him on-leash or a secured fence. Wire Fox Terriers have hunting instincts; if you let them loose, they tend to chase small animals they think as prey.
- Health: Wire Fox Terriers are generally healthy dogs with a long lifespan. As dog owners, it’s essential to be aware of what diseases can affect your dogs so you can prevent them. Deafness, Cataracts, Legg-Perthes Disease, Lens Luxation, and Hip Dysplasia are only among the health conditions that affect the breed. It’s essential to give them the right care to prevent any disease from occurring. As some of these diseases can be inherited, it’s also best to meet at least one of your dog’s parents to be aware of what health conditions your dog may have. Observe your dog’s behavior daily. Record any changes and take him to the bet if there’s anything unusual. The earlier you can detect that something’s wrong, the better you can take care of it.
- Lifespan: The life expectancy of Wire Fox Terriers is 12-15 years.
Famous Wire Fox Terriers
- Caesar: A Wire Fox Terrier loved by King Edward VII; he wore a collar with an inscription, “I am Caesar. I belong to the King”
- Matford Vic: A Wire Fox Terrier who won the Westminster show in 1915 and 1916
- Polly: Charles Darwin’s Wire Fox Terrier
- Asta: The Wire Fox Terrier responsible for the increase in popularity of the whole breed
- Austin: Ken Anderson’s, the WWF wrestler, Wire Fox Terrier
Fun Facts about Wire Fox Terriers
- Wire Fox Terriers were developed around 18th century England.
- They were developed to aid hunters in fox hunting.
- Their coats are white for a purpose; this is so they won’t be mistaken as foxes when hunting.
- They have the most number of Best in Show wins at Westminster dog shows.
- They only became popular in the 1930s due to a movie.
- They were registered as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club in 1985.
Check Out Other Terrier Dog Breeds:
Airedale Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Cesky Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Glen of Imaal Terriers, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Rat Terrier, Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terriers, Skye Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier