Wire Fox Terrier
Breed Traits & Characteristics
🌈 COLOR
- White - 199 - ✅
- White & Black - 202 - ✅
- White & Tan - 217 - ✅
- White Black & Tan - 219 - ✅
- White Tan & Black - 220 - ✅
🐶 MARKINGS
❤ HEALTH
Wire Fox Terriers are healthy dogs generally, and responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as eye disorders (cataracts, primary lens luxation, and glaucoma), luxating patellas, elbow and hip dysplasia, and a neurological condition known as 'wobbler's gait.'
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Patella Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
🛁 GROOMING
Grooming a Wire Fox Terrier can require a vast difference of time and effort according to what you plan to do with your dog. If you will be showing him in conformation events, you will need to learn to hand-strip his coat or pay someone else regularly to do it for you. Pets, however, can be clippered into a trim similar to a show trim with much less effort. All Wire Foxes will require regular brushing to avoid matting, no matter how they are groomed. Nails should be trimmed monthly. Ears should be checked weekly, and any excess wax and debris should be removed to avoid ear infections.
🦮 EXERCISE
Like most terriers, the Wire Fox requires a good bit of exercise. Long walks with his owner, chasing a tennis ball in the backyard, or playtime in a large, securely fenced area are all great ways to exercise your dog and keep him mentally and physically fit. Never allow your Wire Fox Terrier to run off lead, as he is likely to forget all training if he catches sight of a small animal he perceives as prey.
📣 TRAINING
Training the Wire Fox Terrier requires consistency, patience, and a great sense of humor. Spunky and happy-go-lucky little dogs, Wires are very smart but are also somewhat independent and get bored easily, so training sessions must be kept fun and interesting. They react well to positive training methods and will shut down if treated harshly. Wires are wonderfully suited for participation in earthdog trials as well as other performance events that require agility, speed, and intelligence.
🍗 NUTRITION
The Wire Fox Terrier should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
The Wire Fox Terrier breed standard says they should be 'on the tip-toe of expectation at the slightest provocation.' Once a mainstay of traditional British foxhunts, today's Wire is a handsome and amusing companion and master show dog. The Wire Fox Terrier, 16 to 18 pounds of coiled energy is a sturdy, symmetrical, short-backed hunter with fire and intelligence shining in its dark, round eyes.
Male |
Male |
Male |
Female |
Female |
Female |
The predominantly white coat is rough and wiry; the V-shaped ears are neatly folded forward, the better to point up the face's distinctive, and completely irresistible, expression. Wires are delightful pets for families looking for an upbeat, friendly companion with loads of personality. As terriers, they possess the typical independence and prey drive of this feisty canine clan. They are smart and companionable; training can be a challenge but by no means impossible. Excellent athletes, natural comedians, and charming housemates, Wires are long-lived and low-shedding.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
Good With Other Dogs
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
- Smooth
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
- Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!