Wire Fox Terrier

AKC Ranking: 77

Family: terrier

Area of Origin: England

Date of Origin: 1800s

Original Function: vermin hunting, fox bolting

Today's Function: earthdog trials

Avg Size of male: Height: <15.5 Weight: 17-19

Avg Size of Female: Height: <15.5 Weight: 15-17

Other Name: none

 

History
The ultimate show dog, the wire fox terrier has its roots as an effective hunting dog. Its forebears were adept at bolting and perhaps dispatching game, especially fox that had gone to ground. Some speculation exists that the smooth and wire fox terriers arose from distinct backgrounds, with the wire descending from the rough-coated black and tan terrier of Wales. The wire entered the show ring about 15 to 20 years after the smooth made its debut. The two varieties were interbred extensively at one time, mainly with the objective of improving the wire variety by decreasing its size, increasing the amount of white on its coat and imparting a sleeker outline. This objective was met quite early. Wire fox terriers became extremely popular in the years following World War II. In 1985, 100 years after the establishment of the American Fox Terrier Club, the AKC divided the fox terrier into two separate breeds. That century had seen many triumphs for the breed both as a show dog and a pet; the split into two varieties seemed a logical step because they were no longer interbred.

 

Temperament
A true "live-wire," the wire fox terrier is always up for adventure. This breed lives to play, explore, run, hunt and chase. It can be mischievous and independent and may dig and bark. It is usually fairly reserved with strangers. The wire has a reputation for being somewhat scrappier with other dogs when compared to the smooth.

 

Upkeep
The fox terrier must have daily exercise. It will do much to exercise itself given the room, but it profits from a good walk on leash, a vigorous play session or an off-lead outing in a safe area. This breed can live outdoors in a temperate to warm climate, but it does better as an indoor dog
with access to a secure yard. The wire's coat needs combing two or three times weekly, plus shaping every three months. Shaping for pets is by clipping, and for show dogs, by stripping. Some training of the ears may be necessary as puppies for proper adult shape to develop.

 

Health
• Major concerns: none
• Minor concerns: lens luxation, distichiasis, cataract, Legg-Perthes, shoulder dislocation
• Occasionally seen: deafness, patellar luxation
• Suggested tests: eye
• Life span: 10 – 13 years