Country of OriginEngland
Nicknames and Other NamesWire Hair Fox Terrier
Fox Terrier
Wirehaired Terrier
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupTerrier Group
Bred ForHunting fox
SizeMedium-sized
Recognized ByAKC, CKC, UKC, FCI, ANKC, NZKC, KC
Life Span12-15 years
Ideal WeightMale: 18 pounds
Female: 15-17 pounds
Ideal Height15.5 (male and female)
Fur TypeBroken, rough, dense
Common ColorsWhite and Black, White,
White Tan and Black, White and Tan
MarkingsNone
AvailabilityCommonly available
AchievementsWon the most number of
nation’s prestigious dog show award
Suitable for ApartmentsModerately suitable
Used in World WarUsed as sentry dogs and messengers
in World war I
Most Similar ToSmooth Fox Terrier

The Wire Fox Terrier is a medium-sized hunting dog that was used for hunting foxes. Its distinctive feature is its wire hair covered its body. The Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Hair Terrier differ only from their coat. Other than that, they have almost all similarities from behavior to temperament.

The appearance of the Wire Fox Terrier is compact and alert. They have a powerful and strong body with well-defined muscles. Their head is wedge-shaped and the neck is strong and slightly long. Their ears are small and V-shaped that folds forwards.

Origin and History

The origin of the Wire Fox Terrier was from England, somewhere in the 17th century. It was bred for hunting purpose and used for hunting fox originally.

The pure Wire Fox Terrier coat was mostly white with no red allowed as not to get it confused with the fox. It must be developed with the cross of the White English Terrier, Bull Terrier or the Beagle.

Wire Fox Terrier history
Wire Fox Terrier.
Image Source: akc

The American Kennel Club has registered the Wire Fox Terrier and the Smooth Fox Terrier as one breed. In 1985, the AKC recognized both the breeds separately.

Is Wire Fox Terrier Child-Friendly?

The Wire Fox Terrier is great with children as they themselves are a child at heart. They love to play and enjoy the kid’s company. They are very active, so makes a great playmate for children.

However, their high level of energy may not be suited for kids under seven years old. Therefore, they should be supervised and children should be taught to behave around dogs.

Wire Fox Terrier is child friendly
Baby Feeding Wire Fox Terrier.
Image Source: Instagram- @michelle.biro

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: The Wire Fox Terrier has an active and alert temperament. They are very alert of the things going on the surroundings and will warn their owner by barking if they sense something unusual. They are independent and mischievous, which will lead to digging and barking.

Behavior: The Wire Fox Terrier is aggressive towards other dogs and does not do well with them. They tend to start fighting if they see other dogs approaching them. However, if raised early with other pet dogs, they tend to get along with them well. Always keep it on a leash while taking it out for a walk.

Personality: The personality of the Wire Fox Terrier is loyal, smart, and fearless. They do not back of easily if they see any danger coming and not even if they cannot win the fight.

Trainability

Training Wire Fox Terrier is a quite hard job to do as they are independent and stubborn. To train them, one should establish a firm and consistent leadership upon them.

Be patient with them and treat them with a gentle hand. A lot of delicious treats as a reward will surely motivate them. After they complete any task, gently pat them and use vocal praises as the act of encouragement.

Facts

  • King Edward VII owner a Wire Fox Terrier whose name was Caesar that he loved so much.
  • The Wire Fox Terrier has appeared in many TV shows and movies.
  • It has won more than 15 nation’s most prestigious dog show which is far more than any other dog breeds.

Health Issues

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesEye Problem, Deafness, Legg-Perthes Disease,
Epilepsy, Arthritis
HypoallergenicYes
Vaccination Required Rabies, Canine Distemper,
Canine Parvovirus, Leptospirosis,
Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough,
Canine Coronavirus
SheddingNone to Minimal Shedder
DroolingLow Drooler
GroomingAverage Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialLow to Average
Separation AnxietyHigh Chance
AllergiesNone
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 20%
Fat: 8%
Mulitivitamins
Milk Thistle
Probiotics

The Wire Fox Terrier is usually a healthy breed with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. in these years, they can suffer from a few possible canine diseases, which are as follows:

  • Hip Dysplasia: It is a condition where the hip joints of the dog are either dislocated or under development. It causes pain in the back of your dog making it difficult to move from one place to another. Therefore, a timely treatment after consulting a vet is necessary.
  • Ringworm: It is caused by a fungus that infects the skin, hair, and nails. It is a highly contagious disease which can cause hair loss. It can also get spread to other animals. Therefore, proper treatment is necessary before it gets really bad.

Colors

According to the American Kennel Club, the Wire Fox Terrier can come in the following colors and markings:

  • White
  • White and Black
  • White and Tan
  • White Black and Tan
  • White Tan and Black

Puppies

Height and Size: The average height of the Wire Fox Terrier is around 15.5 inches. The average weight of the male is 18 pounds and the female is between 15-17 pounds.

Cost: The average cost of the Wire Fox Terrier puppy is between $800-$1000 USD.

Similar Dog Breeds to Wire Fox Terrier

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