He might be small, but the short-backed, muscular Wire Fox Terrier exudes strength. The thick, wiry coat is predominantly white with black, tan, or black and tan markings. Adult male dogs are 39cm tall or under and weigh about 8kg, and females are slightly smaller.
An alert, ever-ready terrier, the Wire Fox Terrier is an active dog that needs to be kept busy. If he's bored, he will find his own amusement – in digging, barking or finding other 'entertainment'. A bold, outgoing terrier, he should be friendly with people, though his keen hunting instinct may never be far from the surface.
Developed from a regional wire-coated black and tan working terrier from Wales, Derbyshire and Durham, the Wire Fox Terrier dog breed has been used since the 19th century to hunt flush out foxes if they went to the ground so that the hunt could continue. Originally the breed was classed as the Fox Terrier with two varieties within it – the Wire and Smooth coats – and interbreeding between the varieties was common in the early years, but they are now considered quite separate, with their own breed standards.
The Wire Fox Terrier is generally a very healthy breed. However, in common with many small/toy breeds they can suffer from kneecaps that are prone to slipping temporarily out of place (luxating patellas) and some inherited eye problems.
Although the modern Wire Fox Terrier is primarily a show and companion dog, the working ability remains strong. An hour’s walk per day should be considered the minimum, with much more exercise being welcome, alongside training, games and doggy sports or competition.
Small dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion.
The thick, wiry coat is 2-4cm in length and the undercoat is short and soft. The facial hair gives the breed a most distinguished look. A brush and comb through every other day will keep the coat knot-free, but it will also need to be handstripped (where the dead hair is plucked out) three to four times a year.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children , all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
