Wire Fox Terrier: Dog Breed Info, Pictures, Care, Traits & More

An Expert‘s Guide to the Lively and Lovable Wire Fox Terrier
Introduction
With their alert expressions, wiry coats, and spunky personalities, wire fox terriers are a distinctive and popular terrier breed. Hailing from England, these brave and energetic little dogs have a long history of being cherished companions as well as skilled hunters. If you‘re considering adding a wire fox terrier to your family, read on to learn all about this special breed.

History of the Wire Fox Terrier
The wire fox terrier was developed in England during the 18th century to hunt foxes and other small game. They were bred to be tough enough to chase their prey through harsh brush and brambles, which is how they got their wiry coats. According to the American Kennel Club, the wire and smooth fox terriers were considered the same breed until the 20th century when they were split into two separate breeds.

Over the decades, the wire fox terrier has found success as both a working dog and a show dog. They have won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show a record 15 times – more than any other breed as of 2024. Many famous figures in history have owned wire fox terriers, including King Edward VII and Clement Attlee.

Physical Characteristics
Wire fox terriers are small but sturdy dogs with an alert, energetic demeanor. Here are some key physical traits:

Size: 15-16 inches tall at the shoulder, weighing 15-20 pounds
Coat: Dense and wiry outer coat with a softer undercoat. Coat is usually predominantly white with black, tan, or black and tan markings.
Head: Long, flat, and wedge-shaped with folded ears and keen, intelligent eyes
Body: Compact, short-coupled body with straight front legs and muscular hindquarters
Tail: Usually docked short and carried upright

While small in stature, wire fox terriers have a square, powerful build that hints at their working dog background. Their rough, wiry coats served to protect them from rough underbrush while hunting. Combined with their alert expressions and energetic movements, the breed has a look that is all cleverness and liveliness.

Temperament and Personality
Wire fox terriers pack a lot of personality into a small package. They are known for being:

Intelligent and quick-witted
Fearless and feisty, with a strong prey drive
Energetic and playful – they love to run, chase, and explore
Outgoing, friendly, and affectionate with their families
Alert and vocal – they make excellent watchdogs
Independent thinkers who require training and leadership

With their working dog roots, wire fox terriers have a "busy brain" and a desire to stay active. They need plenty of exercises and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. While generally good with children, they may play too rough for very young kids. Early socialization is essential to help them get along with other animals, as they may view small pets as prey.

That said, with proper training and enough activity, wire fox terriers make delightful companions. They are deeply loyal to their owners and have a silly, fun-loving side. Many wire fox terrier owners say they are the perfect blend of a big dog personality in a compact, portable size.

Exercise and Living Needs
As mentioned, wire fox terriers have high exercise needs and a strong desire to stay busy. Aim to provide at least one hour of physical activity per day, broken up into walks, playtime, backyard romps, and brain-stimulating games. Without enough exercise, wire fox terriers are likely to become bored and destructive.

Wire fox terriers can adapt to many living situations as long as they get enough exercise and attention. They are just as happy in an apartment as a large home, provided they get plenty of walks and playtime outside the house. A securely fenced yard is ideal for letting them safely run and explore.

Due to their strong prey drive, wire fox terriers should always be kept on leash and shouldn‘t be trusted off leash unless in a fenced area. They also have a tendency to dig, so a designated digging spot or sandbox can help curb unwanted excavation in the landscaping.

Training Your Wire Fox Terrier
Early training and socialization are a must for wire fox terriers. They are very intelligent and catch on quickly, but they can also be independent and stubborn at times. A firm but positive approach with lots of treats and praise works best. Harsh corrections will only make them shut down.

Housetraining can sometimes be a challenge, so be consistent and patient. Crate training is recommended to prevent accidents when you can‘t supervise. Once they have mastered basic obedience, wire fox terriers often enjoy and excel at advanced training, trick training, and dog sports like agility and flyball.

Grooming a Wire Coat
The wiry coat of a wire fox terrier requires some special grooming to look its best. Brush your terrier weekly with a slicker brush to remove tangles and distribute skin oils. Bathe only when necessary using a mild dog shampoo.

To maintain the coat‘s texture, wire fox terriers need to be hand-stripped several times per year. This involves plucking out the dead hair by hand or with a stripping knife. Many owners prefer to have a professional groomer handle the stripping. You can also clip the coat short, but this will soften the texture over time.

Like all dogs, wire fox terriers need their nails trimmed regularly and their teeth brushed often. It‘s a good idea to teach your terrier to tolerate handling and grooming from an early age so they learn to cooperate with brushing, nail trims, and dental care.

Potential Health Problems
Wire fox terriers are generally healthy dogs, but there are a few potential health problems to be aware of:

Patellar luxation: Caused by a malformed kneecap, this can lead to lameness or an abnormal gait. Severe cases may require surgery.
Eye problems: Wire fox terriers may be prone to eye issues like lens luxation, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Hip dysplasia: This malformation of the hip joint can cause pain and lameness. Responsible breeders will screen for this condition.
Other issues that may occur include allergies, cardiac disease, and deafness. Choosing a puppy from health-screened parents can help minimize the risk of inherited health problems. With proper care and screenings, wire fox terriers often enjoy a lifespan of 13-15 years.

Wire Fox Terriers and Kids
Wire fox terriers can make excellent companions for active older children. They are energetic playmates that are always up for games and adventures. However, they may play too roughly for young children, knocking them over or nipping in excitement.

As with any breed, always supervise interactions between dogs and kids. Teach children how to gently pet and interact with dogs. Wire fox terriers will do best with children if they are socialized with them from an early age so the kids are seen as part of the family pack rather than squeaky toys to chase.

Getting Along With Other Pets
While wire fox terriers generally love the company of other dogs, they have a strong prey drive and aren‘t naturally inclined to get along with small furry pets. They may view cats, rabbits, hamsters and the like as prey to chase unless extensively socialized with them.

Even with early introductions, a wire fox terrier‘s instinct to chase may prove too strong to make them trustworthy around small pets. They tend to do best in homes where they can be the solo pet or have another dog as a playmate. If you already have small animals, a wire fox terrier may not be the best fit.

Fun Facts About Wire Fox Terriers
In addition to their Westminster wins, wire fox terriers have had many other moments of fame over the years:

Asta, a wire fox terrier, appeared alongside William Powell and Myrna Loy in the popular Thin Man movies of the 1930s and 1940s.
King Edward VII owned a wire fox terrier named Caesar, who marched in the king‘s funeral procession in 1910.
Clement Attlee, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, had a beloved wire fox terrier named Ting.
Author Shelby Foote and General George S. Patton also had wire fox terriers.

In 2019, a wire fox terrier named King made history by winning Best in Show at both the Westminster Dog Show and the National Dog Show – only the second terrier to accomplish that feat.

Finding a Wire Fox Terrier
If you‘ve fallen in love with the liveliness and charm of wire fox terriers, you may wonder how to responsibly acquire one. Start by locating a reputable breeder who does health screenings on their breeding dogs and provides health certifications.

Avoid buying a puppy from a pet store or online seller, as they may source their puppies from puppy mills. A good breeder will allow you to visit their home or kennel, meet the puppy‘s parents, and ask questions about health and temperament. Expect a wait, as most responsible breeders only have a few litters per year.

You can also check with local animal shelters and rescue groups to see if there are any wire fox terriers in need of new homes. While not as common as some breeds, terriers do sometimes end up in rescue. Adopting an adult dog lets you see their mature size and temperament.

Is a Wire Fox Terrier Right For You?
Wire fox terriers can make wonderful companions for the right owners, but they aren‘t ideal for everyone. You may be a good fit for a wire fox terrier if:

You lead an active lifestyle and can meet their high exercise needs
You don‘t have small pets like cats or rabbits
You have time for training and the patience to work through stubbornness
You can provide plenty of mental stimulation and enrichment
You don‘t mind a dog that likes to bark and dig
You have a securely fenced yard or can commit to always walking them on leash

A wire fox terrier may not be right for you if you work long hours, have very young children, already have small pets, or prefer a quiet lapdog. But if you‘re looking for a smart, spunky companion to liven up your days, a wire fox terrier could be your perfect match.

With their unique looks and oversized personalities, wire fox terriers have worked their way into many hearts over the decades. From the show ring to the homes of many happy families, these little livewires never fail to bring smiles and excitement. If you think your lifestyle would be a good fit, welcome a wire fox terrier into your life and enjoy the fun!