| Description: These are lively little dogs -- busy, bouncy, alert -- and always ready for action. Wire Fox Terriers have a saucy manner and a happy sense of humor. They are known for their hardy constitution and cocksure personality. Their energy is boundless and antics are endless. The Wire Fox Terrier instinctively will alert its owner of someone approaching. Wire Fox Terriers are alert and quick of movement. The Wire Fox Terrier character is imparted by the expression of the eyes and by the carriage of ears and tail.
Height: 15.5 inches
Weight: 16 - 18 lbs.
Colors: White with tan or black markings. White should be predominate.
Coat: Dense and very wiry.
Temperament: Alert, determined, eager, trustworthy, affectionate
With Children: Yes, gets along well with children and is always ready to play.
With Pets: Small pets such as cats may be fair game and he may try to dominate other dogs.
Special Skills: Vermin hunter and family pet.
Watch-dog: Very High
Guard-dog: Low
Care and Exercise:Regular brushing with a natural bristle brush or glove and comb. He requires stripping to remove his old dead coat twice yearly. Teeth and nails need regular attention. Bathe only when necessary. Exercise should consist of on-leash walks and off-leash play in a yard.
Training: Responds well to a firm hand with love and plenty of exercise. Can be stubborn at times so remain consistent in your training.
Learning Rate: High, Obedience - Medium, Problem Solving - Very High
Activity: Indoors - Very High, Outdoors - Very High
Living Environment: Apartment is adequate if given sufficient exercise but ideal is a home with a fenced backyard as he is an active terrier. Do not leave alone in the yard as he may bark and try to dig his way out. To own a Wire Fox Terrier you need to be a confident leader who prefers an active, feisty breed, not a couch potato.
Health Issues: Skin allergies, genetic eye diseases.
Life Span: 12 - 14 Years
Litter Size: 3 - 6
Country of Origin: England
History: He first became noticed as a breed in the 1860's. He was originally bred to hunt vermin. His descendants are other terriers from the English counties of Cheshire and Shropshire with maybe some Beagle blood. Wires resulted from the breeding of a Smooth Fox Terrier and an unknown female with wire-hair. Both the Smooth and the Wire share the same conformation and were recognized as the same breed until 1984 when the AKC approved separate standards.
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