Wire Fox Terrier

The history of the Wire Fox Terrier is inextricably linked to fox hunting, which was extremely popular in 18th and 19th-century England. In fact, the very name of the breed, “Fox Terrier”, translates as “fox terrier”. Their main task was to flush the fox out of its den once the hounds had cornered it underground. This job required a small but immensely courageous, strong, and resilient dog with a fierce determination to hunt the quarry.

Initially, Fox Terriers were not divided into smooth-coated and wire-coated varieties; they were considered two types of the same breed and were often crossed with each other. The ancestors of modern Fox Terriers were various working terriers from the counties of Devon, Durham, and Wales, including black-and-tan and white English terriers. It is believed that to improve the breed, they were mixed with Beagle blood (for a better sense of smell) and Bull Terriers (for bravery and strength). The harsh, wire-like coat was an advantage for working in dense thickets and underground, as it provided excellent protection for the skin from injuries. The Wire Fox Terrier is also a close cousin to the Smooth Fox Terrier and shares common traits with other British terriers, such as the Welsh Terrier and the Lakeland Terrier.

The split into two types began in the late 19th century when the breed started to gain popularity in the show ring. Although the smooth-coated variety was initially more popular, the Wire Fox Terrier, with its striking appearance and charisma, quickly caught up. An official separate standard for the Wire Fox Terrier was adopted in 1913, putting an end to crossbreeding between the two varieties. Today, although both breeds share a common history, they have developed independently and have their own dedicated fanbases.

The Wire Fox Terrier is the embodiment of elegance and athleticism. It is a compact, well-proportioned dog that literally radiates energy and a readiness for action. Its silhouette is reminiscent of a hunter’s horse – short in the back but with long legs, which allows it to cover great distances.

• Head: Long, with a nearly flat skull that tapers smoothly towards the eyes. The stop is barely visible. The muzzle is strong, with powerful jaws and a well-developed “beard” and “moustache” of harsh hair, which gives it a characteristic expression.
• Eyes: Small, dark, and round. The gaze is lively, intelligent, and alert. Light-coloured eyes are considered a fault.
• Ears: Small, V-shaped, and carried on a fold. The tips of the ears point forward and lie close to the cheeks. Prick or overly heavy ears are a deviation from the standard.
• Body: The back is short, straight, and strong. The neck is long, muscular, and elegantly arched. The chest is deep but not too wide, with well-sprung ribs.
• Tail: Set high, strong, and usually carried vertically. Previously, the tail was docked by about one-third, but today this practice is prohibited in many countries.
• Coat: The main feature of the breed. It is very dense and harsh, feeling like coconut fibre to the touch. The hair on the back and sides is 2-4 cm long. Underneath the harsh outer coat is a short, soft undercoat. On the muzzle, the hair forms a characteristic beard and moustache, and on the legs, it creates thick “trousers”.
• Colour: White should be the dominant colour. Black, black-and-tan, or reddish-brown patches are permitted on a white background. Brindle, red, or liver patches are undesirable.

The character of a Wire Fox Terrier is a volatile mix of courage, inquisitiveness, and endless optimism. This is an extroverted dog that is always the centre of attention and ready to participate in any activity. They are incredibly devoted to their family, but at the same time, they retain a certain independence in decision-making, which is a typical trait for all terriers.

Key Character Traits:

1. Fearlessness. A Fox Terrier is completely unaware of its small size. It is ready to challenge any opponent, be it the neighbour’s Great Dane or a rodent in the garden. This trait makes it an excellent watchdog that will always alert you to the approach of strangers with a loud bark.
2. High Intelligence. These dogs are very clever and learn quickly. However, their intelligence is combined with cunning and stubbornness. If training is boring and monotonous, a Fox Terrier will quickly find a more interesting activity for itself.
3. Hunting Instinct. Their original purpose—hunting—is deeply embedded in their genetics. They have an extremely strong chase instinct. Any small animal (a squirrel, cat, or hedgehog) will be seen as potential prey. This is why they are not recommended to be left unsupervised with other small pets. Unlike hounds, such as the Dunker or Spanish Hound, which chase prey over large areas, the Fox Terrier was bred to work directly in the den, which required an instant reaction and aggression towards the quarry.
4. High Energy. This dog is a perpetual motion machine. It needs daily, long, and intense physical activity. A simple walk on a lead around the block will be catastrophically insufficient. Without a proper outlet for its energy, a Fox Terrier can become destructive: chewing furniture, digging holes in the garden, and barking incessantly.
5. Tendency to Dominate. Fox Terriers can be assertive with other dogs, especially of the same sex. Early and proper socialisation is absolutely essential to raise a balanced and manageable dog.

Wire Fox Terriers are generally a healthy and resilient breed with a lifespan of 12-15 years. However, like many other purebred dogs, they have a predisposition to certain genetic diseases. Responsible breeders test their breeding dogs to minimise the risk of these appearing in puppies.

The most common health problems:

• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease: This is a necrosis of the femoral head, which usually manifests at 4-12 months of age. Symptoms include lameness and pain in the hind leg. Treatment is mostly surgical, and after the operation, most dogs make a full recovery.
• Epilepsy: A genetic condition that causes seizures. The seizures can vary in intensity. Although epilepsy cannot be fully cured, it can be successfully managed with medication.
• Eye conditions: Fox Terriers are prone to several ophthalmic problems, including:
  • Cataracts: Clouding of the lens, which can lead to blindness.
  • Distichiasis: Abnormal growth of eyelashes that can irritate the cornea.
  • Lens Luxation: A serious condition that requires immediate veterinary intervention.
• Deafness: Congenital deafness, often associated with a white coat, can occur in one or both ears.
• Allergies: Like many terriers, Wires can suffer from skin allergies (atopic dermatitis), which cause itching, irritation, and hair loss. The cause is often environmental factors (pollen, dust mites) or food components.
• Diabetes mellitus: An endocrine system disease that requires constant monitoring and treatment. Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss despite a good appetite.

Important: Regular veterinary check-ups, proper nutrition, sufficient physical activity, and quality care are the keys to your pet’s long and healthy life.

Caring for the Wire Fox Terrier’s coat is the most important aspect of its maintenance, requiring special knowledge and effort. Their unique coat hardly sheds at all, but it needs regular care to maintain a healthy condition and proper texture.

The key procedure is stripping. This is the process of manually plucking out the dead outer coat hairs. It is stripping that allows the new, harsh-textured, vibrant-coloured coat to grow and maintain its protective properties. This procedure is done 2-4 times a year, depending on the coat’s growth rate. It is crucial to understand that clipping a Wire Fox Terrier’s coat with clippers spoils its structure. After clipping, the coat becomes soft, dull, loses its waterproof properties, and may start to shed more heavily.

• Daily care: You should brush the dog daily with a metal comb and a brush to prevent matting, especially on the legs, under the armpits, and on the muzzle. The beard and moustache should be cleaned of food residue after each meal.
• Bathing: You should only bathe a Wire Fox Terrier when necessary, using a special shampoo for wiry coats. Frequent washing can make the coat too soft.
• Other procedures: Regularly check and clean their ears, wipe their eyes to prevent inflammation, and trim their claws approximately once a month if they don’t wear down naturally.

Training a Wire Fox Terrier is an exciting but also challenging process that requires patience, consistency, and a sense of humour from the owner. Thanks to their high intelligence, they can grasp commands almost instantly, but their innate stubbornness and independence mean they will always question your decisions.

Key Principles of Training:

• Early socialisation: This is the most important stage. From a very young age, a puppy must be introduced to different people, sounds, places, and other dogs (only after a full course of vaccinations). This will help you raise a balanced and confident dog, not an aggressive troublemaker.
• Positive reinforcement: Harsh methods, shouting, and physical punishment are completely ineffective for this breed. They will only lead to resistance and a loss of trust. The best results come from training based on praise, treats, and games.
• Short and engaging sessions: Fox Terriers quickly lose interest in monotonous repetition. Training sessions should be short (10-15 minutes), dynamic, and varied.
• Consistency: All family members must follow the same rules. If something is forbidden today, it must be forbidden tomorrow.
• Sport: This is an ideal way to channel a Fox Terrier’s energy in the right direction. They excel in disciplines such as agility, flyball, obedience, and lure coursing.

Proper nutrition is the foundation of a Wire Fox Terrier’s health and activity. Given their high energy levels, their diet must be high-quality, balanced, and rich in protein. There are two main approaches to feeding: ready-made commercial food and a natural diet.

1. Ready-made food (dry and wet): This is the most convenient option. You should choose a super-premium or holistic class food for active small to medium-sized dogs. Priority should be given to foods with a high content of meat ingredients (at least 30%) and without corn, wheat, or soy, which can cause allergies.

2. Natural diet: This approach requires more time and knowledge. The basis of the diet (around 60-70%) should be raw or scalded meat (beef, turkey, chicken) and offal. You should also include:

• Fermented milk products: low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, yoghurt.
• Grains: rice, buckwheat (no more than 10-15% of the diet).
• Vegetables and fruits: carrots, pumpkin, courgette, apples.
• Fish oil and vegetable oils as a source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

Forbidden products:

• Chocolate and sweets
• Tubular bones
• Pork and fatty meat
• Smoked foods, marinades, spices
• Onions and garlic
• Grapes and raisins

Regardless of the type of diet, your dog should always have access to fresh, clean water.

1. Movie and cartoon stars: The most famous Wire Fox Terrier in the world is probably Snowy (Milou) – the faithful companion of the main character of the Belgian comic “The Adventures of Tintin”. A dog of this breed named Asta was also a star of the popular 1930s and 40s “Thin Man” films.
2. Royal favourite: King Edward VII of Great Britain was a great admirer of the breed. His favourite Fox Terrier was named Caesar, and he accompanied the monarch everywhere.
3. Show champions: Wire Fox Terriers are among the most successful show dogs. They have won the most prestigious “Best in Show” award at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show a record number of times (15).
4. White colour for safety: The predominantly white coat was deliberately bred. During hunting, it helped hunters easily distinguish the dog from the fox in the heat of the chase.
5. Escape artists: Thanks to their inquisitiveness, agility, and love of digging, Fox Terriers are true escape artists. They can dig under fences, jump over low barriers, and squeeze through the smallest gaps.

Does the Wire Fox Terrier shed a lot?

No, with proper care, this breed hardly sheds at all. Instead of seasonal shedding, their coat requires a stripping procedure (manual plucking) 2-4 times a year. This makes them a good choice for people who don’t like dog hair in the house, but not for allergy sufferers, as allergies are caused not by hair but by saliva and skin particles.

Is a Fox Terrier suitable for apartment living?

Yes, thanks to its compact size, a Fox Terrier can live in an apartment. But there is one crucial condition: it must get enough daily physical and mental exercise. Two or three long walks with elements of games, running, and training are mandatory. Otherwise, the energy trapped within four walls will find a destructive outlet.

Do Fox Terriers get along with children and other animals?

With school-aged children who know how to behave around a dog, Fox Terriers usually get along well and become tireless playmates. However, they do not tolerate rough handling, so they are not recommended for families with very young children. As for other animals, the situation is complex. Due to their strong hunting instinct, they pose a threat to cats, rabbits, hamsters, and other small pets. They can also conflict with other dogs for dominance, so early socialisation is critically important.

How much does a Wire Fox Terrier puppy cost?

The cost of a Wire Fox Terrier puppy in the UK can vary significantly. On average, the price for a puppy from a reputable, Kennel Club (KC) registered breeder ranges from £1,500 to £2,500 or more. The price depends on the parents’ lineage, their show titles, and the puppy’s own potential. Prices are adjusted to reflect current UK market rates for pedigree dogs.

What is the difference between stripping and clipping for a Fox Terrier?

They are fundamentally different procedures. Stripping is the plucking of old, dead hair, which allows new, harsh, and vibrant hair to grow. Clipping is the cutting of the hair with clippers. Clipping ruins the structure of a Fox Terrier’s coat, making it soft, curly, dull, and less resistant to dirt and moisture. To maintain the breed’s correct appearance, stripping is essential.