Wire Fox Terrier is a cousin to Smooth Fox Terrier

Wire Fox Terrier?

The Wire Fox Terrier is a cousin to the Smooth Fox Terrier. Although they share a name and job, it is believed that they come from different backgrounds. For many years the American Kennel Club registered the two breeds as one and each as "varities". They were in fact, two separate breeds. In 1985 AKC under the request of the American Fox Terrier Club, separated them back to the separate breeds that they are.

This is a head shot of a typical pet quality Wire Fox Terrier. The coat is clipped and therefore softer than a hand stripped coat. The head looks white/cream instead of the rust (ginger) color that it would look if stripped.

Not a lot is known about the background of the Wire Fox Terrier. We know that in England, the farmers owned small dogs only and their jobs were usually to keep the vermin from the farmers grains. Most have the "broken coats" of the Wire Fox Terrier. This was to break off when the dog was caught in bushes rather than trap the dog in his coat. These related wire-coat breeds were mostly named after the area in which they developed such as the Welsh Terrier from Wales, the Cairn Terrier from the county Cairn, the Scottish Terrier and West Highland White Terrier from Scotland. The two Fox Terrier breeds were named based on the job they worked, that of hunting foxes.

This is an ungroomed wire. Ungroomed, the wire's coat can be quite lengthy and tends to mat badly. Notice how bushy the tail appears.

This is a view of the same ungroomed wire from the front, his long fur making him look like a small sheepdog.

When the Wire Fox Terrier is hand stripped his coat is harsh and the colors are bright. But if he has been clipped as most are today, then he will look gray rather than white and the colors will be washed out. The Wire's coat will continue to grow if not groomed, so a Wire that has been "let go" can quickly mat and turn into a mess. We have provided photos of dogs in this condition, as well as those in better shape.

The Wire is usually about 14" to 18" measured from the ground to the top of the shoulder. They usually have their tails docked to be about as tall as the top of their heads. The head itself is long and narrow like a cylinder. The ears should go up and drop back down just outside of the eyes. However, many will have ears that go straight up, "bat ears". And sometimes you'll see one ear and one down, giving a very clownish look. Many older dogs will have their ears up.

The Fox Terrier temperament is loving and outgoing to people, but tough and agressive to other animals. The females are quick to fight with any other female and will fight to the death if mad enough. They always want to be "in charge". If placed with any other pet, it should be one the same size or larger and as smaller dogs and cats are usually seen as prey.

This is an older Wire Fox Terrier. She has been clipped all of her life and shows the washed out colors. Wire's are very active well up into their teen years. Many times shelters think that they are 5-6 yrs old, when they are 13+ yrs..

Fox Terriers are wonderful pets for the person who is prepared to live with this feisty, free-spirit temperament.

Fox Terriers are not suggested for children under 8 years of age. Read More