Wire Fox Terriers have a huge personality that goes hand-in-hand with their good looks. They have boundless amounts of energy and put it to use being curious and mischievous. These happy and intelligent dogs are also known for being faithful to their humans. Having a Wire Fox Terrier in the household means getting complete devotion from a canine companion. Wire Fox Terriers have an air of mischief about them and they know exactly what they want to do. However, they are clever and can be trained, with patience and time. Some highlights:
Wire Fox Terriers are known for showing great loyalty to their humans. They are very loving companions.
Their attractive appearance has led to Wire Fox Terriers appearing on the big screen in movies such as Hudson Hawk, The Accidental Tourist and Bringing up Baby.
For anyone who wants a companion with a strong personality, Wire Fox Terrior puppies and adult dogs are the ideal choice. They are fun individuals to be around.
Some downsides to the Wire Fox Terrier:
The strong personality that can be a positive of a Wire Fox Terrier can also be an issue. These dogs are very strong willed. This can make training difficult. This means that it's necessary to have patience and put plenty of time aside for training.
Although they are loyal, Wire Fox Terriers never really feel as though they are owned in the way that some dogs do. There is always a chance that they will choose to go off and do their own thing.
Wire Fox Terrier puppies and adults have big appetites. They will eat huge amounts off food if they are allowed to get away with it. This means that strict attention has to be paid to their diet and the amount of exercise they get.
Originally the Wire Fox Terrier was bred in the UK, to be a hunting dog. They are still used for this reason in certain places. However, as hunting is no longer a popular pastime in the UK, these confident dogs have become more popular as household companions and show dogs.
Wire Fox Terriers are not especially large dogs. They are usually no more than 30 cm tall at the shoulder. In most cases, females are slightly smaller than males.
Wire Fox Terriers love their food, and can quickly become overweight. It's important that anyone who owns one of these dogs makes sure that they maintain a healthy weight. This weight is usually between 7.5 and 8.5 kg for a male and 6.5 and 7.5 kg for a female.
As a breed, Wire Fox Terriers should be mostly white in colour. These beautiful dogs also have markings which can be tan, black or black and tan. In most cases, Wire Fox Terriers have a solid colour on their face. However, sometimes the colour is spilt.
There is no doubt about it; Wire Fox Terrier puppies and adults are not quiet by nature. They love to bark, and when they do the sound is high-pitched. This could be an issue when there are neighbours close by.
These self-confident little canines are playful by nature. This means that they can be prone to getting up to mischief if they are not carefully watched.
Wire Fox Terriers love people and they are very loyal to the humans around them. However, they are hugely energetic and they do not know how to play gently. This means that they are not well-suited to a home where there are young children around.
These charming canines are an ideal friend for anyone who can be with them constantly. However, they do not take well to being left on their own. They can cause a whole lot of chaos when left by themselves. They are also not good with other pets due to their natural hunting instinct.
The normal life span for a Wire Fox Terrier is 13 - 14 years. Being well cared for and having the right diet and the correct amount of exercise helps these terriers to live as long as possible.
Wire Fox Terrier puppies and older dogs need a fair amount of exercise. This should consist of vigorous exercise for 30 to 45 minutes each day and plenty of time to play outdoors. For this reason, anyone who wants to own one of these dogs should have plenty of outside space available. When Wire Fox Terriers are being walked, they should always be kept on a lead as they have a strong hunting instinct.
There are a few health problems that can be found in Wire Fox Terriers. These issues include:
This problem is most common in terriers that are mostly white.
Cataracts on the eyes. This problem normally occurs in older dogs.
Legg-Perthes disease. This is a deformity in the dog's hip joint. It can lead to arthritis. The good news is that this issue can normally be solved surgically.
Lens luxation. This problem happens due to a deterioration of the ligament that holds the lens of the eye in place. It can result in the loss of the eye.
Hip dysplasia. This is a malformation of the hip joint that can lead to arthritis.
Even though they are not large dogs, Wire Fox Terriers need a lot of space to run around in. This means that a decent-sized garden is required for anyone who wants to have one of these dogs in their household. It's important that the garden is well secured, as these terriers can get over less than adequate fencing. They also love to dig and are great escape artists.
The coat of Wire Fox Terrier puppies and adult dogs is thick and wiry. Although these dogs do not shed very often they do need to be brushed regularly. If this does not happen their coat can become matted. In order to sustain the texture of the coat of a Wire Fox Terrier, it's necessary to hand strip the hair rather than cut it.
As a rough guide in pricing: Cost to buy: roughly £450-1,000 for a well-bred Wire Fox Terrier puppy Other costs (Vet, Food etc): £80 per month
You can read our general buying guide here (/advice-on-buying-a-puppy/), with the most important thing being going to view your Wire Fox Terrier Puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder. More specifically, here is some Wire Fox Terrier puppy buying advice:
Wire Fox Terriers are hugely loyal companions. However, they do require the dedication of time, in order to care for them properly. It's important to be prepared for this before considering the purchase of one of these puppies.
Wire Fox Terrier puppies should only ever be taken into the home of someone who has a very responsible attitude. They are confident dogs who like to do their own thing. They also have a strong hunting instinct. Anyone who is thinking of buying one of these puppies needs to be prepared for the responsibility of making sure that safety and security are considered at all times.
A big thank you to the following sources who helped to shape this article: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?uDesc=1&id=3068 https://www.wirefoxterrierassociation.co.uk/find-a-breeder https://www.countrylife.co.uk/out-and-about/dogs/seven-things-need-know-youre-thinking-getting-wire-fox-terrier-stealing-food-undying-loyalty-192138 https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/fox-terrier https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/medium-dogs/fox-terrier
