Wire Fox Terrier
The Wire Fox Terrier is short-backed and square-proportioned, but at the same time standing over a lot of ground. Its conformation combines speed, endurance and power, enabling it to gallop and stay with the horses and hounds during the hunt and to follow a fox up a narrow passage. The gait while trotting gets most of its propulsion from the rear quarters. The expression, like the attitude, is keen; the carriage is alert and expectant. The coat is dense, wiry, broken and twisted, almost appearing like coconut matting, with a short, fine undercoat. The outer coat may be crinkled, but it should not be curly. 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. When fox hunting became popular in England in the late 17th century, hunters found the need for a dog that could go to ground and bolt the quarry. Terriers, game and eager, were ideal for such a purpose but most of the early terriers were dark in color and too low on leg to run with a pack of foxhounds. Hunters began to develop a longer-legged terrier, predominantly white in color so as not to be mistaken for a fox. Early fox terriers were primarily smooth-coated, but the wire coat persisted. By the end of the 19th century, smooth and wire-coated Fox Terriers were in great demand, both as companions and show dogs. Although considered one breed for many years, interbreeding of Smooth Fox Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers ceased in the early 1900s. Except for coat, however, the two breeds are essentially identical. Both the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wirehaired Fox Terrier were recognized by the AKC in 1885. Some of the Fox Terrier's talents include: hunting, tracking, watchdog, agility and performing tricks.
| Dog Friendly: | 2 stars |
| Grooming: | 3 stars Moderate Maintenance: The Wire Fox Terrier should be brushed several times a week and bathed when necessary. |
| Rank: | Boy Names |
| Size: | Medium |
| Weight: | Male: 15-20 pounds (7-9 kg) Female: 13-18 pounds (6-8 kg) |
| 04: | Oliver |
| Adaptability: | 5 stars |
| Colors: | White White & Black White & Tan White Black & Tan White Tan & Black |
| Watchdog Ability: | 3 stars |
| 07: | Duke |
| Litter Size: | 4-6 puppies |
| Trainability: | 4 stars Moderately Easy Training: The Wire Fox Terrier should be obedience trained as a puppy. It requires consistent training and may challenge authority on occasion. |
| Popularity: | 2022: #102 2021: #99 2020: #104 2019: #99 2018: #101 2017: #99 2016: #101 2015: #94 |
| Stranger Friendly: | 3 stars |
| 08: | Tucker |
| Apartment Friendly: | 3 stars The Wire Fox Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is very active indoors and will do okay without a yard. |
| Height: | Male: 14-16 inches (36-41 cm) Female: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm) |
| Exercise Needs: | 5 stars Wirehaired Fox Terriers need a daily walk or jog. If it is possible, they would love to run free in a safe area. Keep this dog on a leash if there are small animals around. The urge for these dogs to hunt is strong and they are likely to take off chasing a small animal. |
| 01: | Charlie |
| 02: | Cooper |
| 09: | Henry |
| Origin: | United Kingdom |
| Playfulness: | 5 stars |
| Type: | Purebred |
| 06: | Rocky |
| Breed Group: | Terrier (AKC:1885 & UKC) |
| Child Friendly: | 5 stars Good with Kids: This is a suitable breed for kids and is known to be playful, energetic, and affectionate around them. |
| Name: | Wire Fox Terrier |
| Temperament: | Alert Bold Fearless Friendly Keen Quick Intelligent |
| 03: | Scout |
| Cat Friendly: | 1 stars |
| Life span: | 12-14 years |
| Health Issues: | 3 stars Hypoallergenic: YesEpilepsy is highly suspected to have a genetic component in this breed. Some minor concerns are post nasal drip, lens luxation, distichiasis, cataracts, Legg-calvé-perthes syndrome and shoulder dislocation. Prone to mast cell tumors. |
| Other names: | Foxie, Wire Hair Fox Terrier, Wirehaired Terrier |
| Intelligence: | 3 stars Ranking: #51 Full Ranking List |
| Puppy Prices: | Average $1500 - $3000 USD The Wire Fox Terrier puppies typically cost between $1,500 and $3,000. The price can vary dramatically based on your location, availability of parents, and breeder quality. |
| Shedding Level: | 1 stars Minimal Shedding: This dog will shed a negligible amount. Recommended for owners who do not want to deal with dog hair in their cars and homes. |
| 05: | Moose |
| 10: | Riley |
| Barking Tendencies: | 5 stars Frequent |