Wire Fox Terrier -
Very Lively And Mischievous!
Background And Description:
The Wire Fox Terrier as the name implies was bred to assist horsemen in the pursuit of fox. It is
believed to be descended from the black and tan working terrier, a now extinct breed that
originated in Wales and the northern regions of England. Terriers as a group are among the most
ancient breeds having been spotted and written about at the time the Romans invaded England.
Until 1984, the WFT was coupled with the Smooth Fox Terrier under one breed, with two
varieties. The apparent difference between the two, is the coat, though some experts believe they
also differ in their ancestry.
This is undeniably a very handsome dog with a great deal of
personality and zeal about his demeanor.
His popularity has been endorsed many times over by being chosen the top
dog more than any other breed at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show.
Appearance:
Appearance: Height: Up to 15.5 inches Weight: 16-18 lbs.
Color variations: Mainly white with black, tan, or black/tan markings
Coat and Care:
The Wire Fox Terrier has a double coat that is coarse and appears twisted and broken. The
undercoat is softer and finer. Shedding is minimal. Show dogs require regular stripping of the
coat, which a motivated owner can learn to do, or leave to the professionals. A pet WFT does not
need to be stripped, but it does keep the coat looking its best.
For daily maintenance,
keep your bristle brushes and comb at hand.
Personality and Traits:
If you want a dog that is challenging, fun-loving and never boring - get a Wire Fox Terrier.
If you want to get fit and spend less time on the couch, the WFT will definitely help you
do that! Though, once you are both worn out, he will happily curl up beside you.
If your
confidence is waning, don't let your WFT know it. He'll be happy to run the household and boss
you around too. Early socialization and obedience training is well advised to make sure he knows
who's in charge. He won't always acknowledge it, but at least he'll know!
Wire Fox Terriers
are extroverted, self-assured, happy, friendly, stout-hearted, perky, full of antics, playful,
overly confident, risk takers, courageous, a bit sneaky and mischievous, and above all wonderful
companions. They see themselves as top dog (well they did earn the title) - but this can sometimes
get them in trouble with other canines.
Once you have a Wire, he will expect to be treated
exactly like one of the family and get your undivided attention most of the time. He will follow
you around and check out everything you are doing. If you're not doing anything, he'll try to
change that.
Are you getting the picture? This is not a boring dog.
You could and
should work on the "come" command as often as possible with your Wire. It is probably the most
valuable, though not always followed, command for you to instill in your dog. Wires are very
inquisitive and strong-minded. They are not willfully naughty, but sometimes other things are
just too enticing and interesting for them to come when called!
Training a WFT requires a
lot of patience and consistency. They are very intelligent, confident and playful. Being aware
of this can help an owner choose the techniques that will best get their attention. Having done
this, they enjoy learning and catch on quickly. But keep a sense of humor when your Wire is being
less than cooperative.
Activity Level:
If you want a happy and less boisterous WFT, the answer is plenty of exercise. When I say plenty,
I mean plenty! A substantial yard where they can romp or play fetch with you or the kids is an
ideal way to burn off some of their high energy. This is in addition to rigorous regular walks -
don't leave home without them. They love going out and seeing everything around them. Keep in
mind that they can't be trusted off-leash no matter how tempted you are to let them run free.
Space Needs:
This is one breed of dog that does best with an outside area for additional exercise. It will not
only benefit the dog, but will give you a break when they are acting especially chipper indoors.
Be sure there are no escape routes in your yard, for these hunters still have a strong prey drive
and the necessary digging skills to go after any interesting animal passing by.
Children:
They do best with older children who are well behaved and have respect for pets. They will happily enjoy hours of play - always with adult supervision of course.
Elderly:
An active senior most certainly could enjoy a Wire Fox Terrier - might even be rejuvenated by
them! While other more sedentary types may find them too lively.
Reading And Video Recommendations:
Wire Fox Terrier, A Reliable HandbookCurrent resource covering history of
the breed, characteristics and attributes, the breed standard, grooming, puppy care, housetraining,
nutrition, basic training, health care and the potential disorders that may affect the breed. Many
color photos.
AKC Wire Fox Terrier VideoFrom the AKC, a Video covering various aspects of the breed
including the breed's structure and movement, acceptable colors, correct head, size, etc. Does
not get into training, breeding or care information. May be brief mention of temperament. Useful
to those with interest in showing the breed.
Share Your Wire Fox Terrier Pictures
Visit
Smilebox.com and create amazing greetings with your dog photos, videos, and music. Email them free.
This breed is nothing short of gorgeous as a picture taking subject. With their
sparkly eyes and alert stance, you can't fail to get a photo worth sharing. Plus, with the availability
of digital media programs, you can now share your photos with pizazz!
My recommendation is "Smilebox" - a truly creative way to pass along your favorite pet photo
treasures. This system lets you easily create amazing dog ecards greetings or invitations,
announce a new dog with a slideshow or e-postcard, make dog e-scrapbooks, send
dog e-birthday cards, thank you cards, and much, much more. Use it for family photos and
occasions as well.
Visit Smilebox.com and try this amazing free service today!
Go on, give it a try - you'll be glad you did!
Return to Terrier Group main page
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb