Dog
Group:
Terrier 
Wirehaired Fox Terrier Champions
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Pronunciation:
wahy-uh-r-haird foks ter-ee-er
Breed Description:
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed of dog is a medium sized breed of dog that should have a slightly longer than it is tall body. The breed should be compact and athletic and the legs should be short and stocky. The top line should be level and the head should be flat and should narrow slightly. The ears should be half-pricked and should hang towards the face instead of down the head. The tail is long but is commonly docked but regardless, it should be carried high.
The coat of the Wirehaired Fox Terrier should consist of a double coat. The undercoat should be short and dense and it should cover the dog completely. It should have a soft texture that is different than the hard wiry texture of the topcoat. The topcoat should be medium in length and they should be dense enough that you can't see the skin underneath them, even when you pull it apart. The color of the Wirehaired Fox Terrier should be primarily white but they can have markings of either brown or black.
Temperament:
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed of dog is described as a brave little dog that has a heart of gold. They are known for being very affectionate and are usually loyal to their family. They love having a good time and are often described as being a little clown since they are usually cheerful and happy to perform. They are usually very brave and will protect their family with everything in them. They can do well with children, and are usually patient and gentle with them. They can learn to get along with other dogs but they do have a strong prey drive so they are not recommended for homes with small, non-canine pets. The breed does need a strong owner and training is a must to prevent the Wirehaired Fox Terrier from becoming bored or from developing bad habits.
Height:
The average height for a Wirehaired Fox Terrier is between 14 to 16 inches for a male and 13 to 15 inches for a female.
Weight:
The average weight for a Wirehaired Fox Terrier is between 15 to 20 pounds for a male and 13 to 18 pounds for a female.
Health Problems:
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed of dog is considered to have average health, however, there are a number of health problems that are commonly seen in the breed. These health problems are epilepsy, distichiasis, legg-perthes disease, post nasal drip, deafness, cataracts and lens luxation.
Living Conditions:
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed of dog can do very well in apartments if they are properly exercised, however, they do well with a fenced yard to play in. They should not be outdoor dogs.
Exercise:
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed of dog is an active breed that should receive between 30 to 45 minutes of exercise each day. They should receive one or two long walks per day as well as some time off lead. This breed can have a strong prey drive so it is important to keep them leashed when they are out for a walk.
Life Expectancy:
14 to 16 years
Grooming:
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed of dog is a very easy breed to groom. They only need to be brushed on a weekly basis to keep the coat free of tangles. They will need to be hand stripped two or three times per year but many owners opt to have them professionally stripped to make life easier. They only need to be bathed when it is necessary and many can go a whole year with only one or two baths. Ears should be cleaned on a weekly basis and nails should be trimmed once or twice a month.
Origin:
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed of dog was developed in England and shares the same history of the Smooth Fox Terrier. In fact, up until 1876, the smooth and wirehaired varieties were considered to be the same breed and cross breeding between the two were quite common until 1984. The Fox Terrier breeds were developed by crossing the Fox Hound, Beagle and the Dachshund. They were used primarily for hunting and exterminating vermin on farms such as foxes, and other vermin. The breed would often chase animals into their dens and because of this they needed to be small and courageous. The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is believed to be the result of the Black and Tan Terrier being introduced in to the breed, which created the broken coat. The breed became recognized as a separate breed in 1984, although they have been recognized by the AKC since 1885. The Wirehaired Fox Terrier has not gained as much popularity as the Smooth Fox Terrier; however, they did gain some popularity after a Wirehaired Fox Terrier appeared in the television series, "The Thin Man" during the 1930's. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
