Wire Fox Terrier
Temperament:
Originally bred for fox hunting, the Wirehaired Fox Terrier is rarely used for hunting today. Instead, the fast and lively animals are popular as companion dogs and as show dogs that are capable of learning. The small, compact breed is considered headstrong and requires consistent training.
Characteristics
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is a compact, symmetrically built hunting dog with a short back. The coat is predominantly white with black or tan markings. It is typically rough and wiry with a strong undercoat. The round, dark eyes radiate liveliness and intelligence. The V-shaped forward folded ears emphasize the attentive facial expression.
The courageous and energetic wire-haired Fox Terriers are loyal to their family, but do not avoid arguments. They want to be in charge and quickly learn to wrap their owners around their fingers.
Wire-haired Fox Terriers are very self-confident and like to explore their surroundings. Therefore, never let him run in an unsecured place without a lead and check fences regularly. As a typical hunting dog, he quickly digs escape routes and chases after every hare.
Due to their intelligence and stamina, these dogs need a lot of mental and physical exercise. When underchallenged, they tend to engage in destructive behavior such as excessive barking, chewing, digging and chasing other animals.
Wirehaired Fox Terriers can be a lot of fun with their outgoing, confident personality. They love various toys and balls. Many animals are also real water rats. This long-lived breed is perfect for active people who enjoy exercise, have experience with dogs and can offer the animals plenty of stimulation.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier sheds very little, but needs regular grooming. The coat must be brushed daily to keep it clean and odor-free.
The hair should also be trimmed from time to time to keep the dense undercoat in shape. Otherwise, the dense and soft undercoat will prevent the wiry top coat from growing, changing the characteristic texture of the coat and causing it to lose color.
The same effect occurs when the coat of the Wirehaired Fox Terrier is trimmed with scissors or a clipper. This also makes the coat softer and loses its typical wiry structure.
You should also trim your dog's nails at the latest when you hear them rattling on the floor. Short, well-trimmed nails keep the paws in good condition.
Suitable accessories
Wire-haired Fox Terriers need plenty of activity. This should be varied and involve lots of exercise. Various toys are suitable for this, especially balls. These lively dogs love to chase after round balls.
For daily training, we recommend low-calorie and healthy treats that motivate the dog - but don't overfeed it.
Other accessories that are part of every dog's basic equipment: collar or harness with lead, dog basket or dog mat as a retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, brush and comb, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. Ask your vet what belongs in the first aid kit.
Origin & History
The lively Wirehaired Fox Terrier can look back on a long history. Representatives of this breed have been beloved companions of royalty, entertained crowds in circuses and movies, and won more best-in-show awards at dog shows than any other breed.
The fox terrier as we know it today gradually took on its characteristic shape during the heyday of British fox hunting towards the end of the 18th century. The task of the terrier was to drive the fox out of its hiding place. The fox terrier's coat is therefore usually white and must not be red, so as not to be mistaken for a fox during the hunt.
Breeders first developed the smooth-haired fox terrier, which probably originated from smooth-haired terriers, bull terriers, greyhounds and beagles. The wire-haired fox terrier was bred a little later from rough-haired and smooth-haired terriers.
A well-known early representative of this branch of the breed was Caesar, the declared favorite of the English King Edward VII. He wore a collar with the inscription "I am Caesar. I belong to the King". When Edward died in 1910, a mourning Caesar marched behind his coffin in the funeral procession.
The breed standard was established as early as 1876 with the founding of the English Fox Terrier Club and has remained virtually unchanged to this day.
