Wire Fox Terrier Dog Breed

Driven and determined, the Wire Fox Terrier was developed in the British Isles during the 17th century to chase small game from their dens.

Temperament

Small and sturdy with a playful, friendly nature, the Wire Fox Terrier makes a wonderful family pet. He is a natural athlete and entertainer with a fun, positive personality.

As a terrier, he does have a prey drive, but the Wire Fox Terrier is also bold and alert, and excels as a watchdog.

Characteristics

The Wire Fox Terrier is a member of the Terrier group. He has the sturdy, athletic body of a hunter, covered with a rough, wiry coat. His attentive eyes are set in a distinctive, bearded face, framed by ears that fold neatly forward in a “V” shape.

Lifespan

12 to 15 years

Colors

The Wire Fox Terrier’s wiry coat is either white, or a combination of white with black and/or tan.

Shedding

The Wire Fox Terrier is a low-shedding breed that does require grooming and regular brushing. Wires who compete in the show ring need to have their coats hand-stripped. Pets’ coats can be clipped into a lower-maintenance trim that looks similar to a show trim.

All Wires need regular brushing to avoid matting.

Health

Wire Fox Terriers are generally healthy dogs. Responsible breeders screen for 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.”

Best Dog Food for Wire Fox Terrier Dogs & Puppies

Wire Fox Terriers may benefit from the specialized nutrition and smaller kibble of a small breed dog food. For Wires who need help with weight management, consider a healthy weight formula.

Wire Fox Terrier puppies should eat a small-breed puppy food for their first year of life to aid in their growth and development.

History

Fox Terriers, including the Wire Fox Terrier breed, were developed in the late 1700s to perform a specific role in British Foxhunts. These small but bold dogs flushed foxes from their lairs, allowing the hounds and horsemen to give chase.

To avoid being mistaken for foxes, Fox Terriers were bred with mostly white coats, with no red coloring allowed.

Wire Fox Terriers have always been popular in England. One historical example is Caesar, King Edward VII’s favorite dog, who was the darling of the entire British Empire.

In the 1930s and 40s, a Wire named Asta starred in six “Thin Man” movies, putting the breed in the spotlight and increasing its popularity. The Wire’s entertaining talent and enchanting, expressive nature have made it a popular performer in movies and on TV.

Since the late 1800s, Wire and Smooth Fox Terriers have been recognized as separate breeds in England. The American Kennel Club (AKC) did not recognize the two breeds separately until 1985.

Facts

• Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers were considered the same breed for many years, with interbreeding ceasing in the early 1900s.
• Wire Fox Terriers have won Best In Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 15 times, more than any other dog breed.
• Naturalist Charles Darwin owned many dogs throughout his life, including a Wire Fox Terrier named Polly. Polly was a model for illustrations in his last book Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals.