

Photo by Alicia Nijdam
Wire Fox Terrier - Breed Profile:
Origin: England
Colors: Predominantly white
Size: Small
Type of Owner: Experienced
Exercise: Vigorous
Grooming: Moderate
Trainability: Somewhat difficult to train
Combativeness: Tends to be dog-aggressive
Dominance: High
Noise: Average barker
Physical characteristics
The Wire Fox Terrier is small dog with a strong muscular build and very dense, wiry coat. The back is short and level; the loins are muscular and a bit arched. The flat skull narrows to the eyes slightly. The stop is hardly noticeable. The muzzle gradually tapers to the black nose. The eyes and eye rims are dark. The small V-shaped ears drop forward close to the cheeks. The neck is thick and muscular, presenting a graceful curve when viewed from the side. The legs are straight, with strong boning. The feet are round and compact. The tail is set high; it is usually docked to about 3/4 of its original length. Note: docking tails is illegal in most parts of Europe.Wire Fox Terriers weigh 13 to 20 pounds. The height is 13 to 16 inches.
Temperament
The Wire Fox Terrier is a happy, eager to please, and excitable dog. It is always ready to play and makes an excellent pet for active people. Like many other terriers, this breed has a dominant streak and can develop various kinds of unwanted behaviour if it manages to take over the household. The owner should be a firm, calm, confident and consistent pack leader. As these dogs were originally bred for hunting and tracking, they love to dig under fences, in the garden, and even through sofas if given a chance. They are also fond of chasing, so shouldn't be let off leash unless in a safe, enclosed area. For the same reason, they should not be trusted with small non-canine animals. Early socialization is necessary to avoid combative and aggressive behaviour toward other dogs. Although they are said to make excellent family pets, they are known to bite. Because of this, the Wire Fox Terrier should always be supervised around small children. These dogs don't like being pestered and get on better with older, considerate kids who know how to treat the dog properly.
Photo by ptooey