The
Fox Terrier Club.....since
1876
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Breed Information: Wire Fox Terrier General Description - Temperament - Grooming - Exercise - Trainability - Ailments - Feeding - Puppies - Show Points - History - Further Information
The Wire Fox Terrier is a member of the terrier group, originating from Great Britain. They were originally used for locating the position of foxes in their tunnels, killing vermin and hunting rabbits. Today they are still used as hunters but more commonly as companions. General Physical Description The Wire is a small active and lively terrier. They have a narrow head and a short back. Their top coats are dense with a wiry texture and undercoats have shorter, softer hair. Photo left: Diane Pearce Weight & Height Range Dogs should measure no more than 39cms at the withers, bitches slightly less. Dogs weigh between 7.3-8.2kgs and bitches should ideally weigh between 6.8-7.7kgs.
In general the Wire is a friendly, devoted and affectionate dog with lots of personality. They can be protective if they feel a member of their family is in danger or being threatened. In the past they have had a reputation a being a bit snappy and wilful but if you select your puppy carefully this should not be a problem. Wires get on well with children and do make ideal family pets. They have to be socialised from an early age especially with cats and any other household pets. Keen gardeners may find that this dog digs up their plants rather quickly as digging is one of their favourite pastimes if not corrected, but as with many other breeds, with initial training this is not a problem. They may be troublesome with other dogs if not properly socialised. Photo Above: Terrier Type Colour The Wire Fox Terrier can be white with black, black and tan or tan markings. White should predominate. Grooming Grooming the Wire
does require a bit of time and it can be expensive, as you may need to get a professional groomer to keep the dog’s coat looking its best. Hand stripping of the coat will be necessary several times a year; this can be time consuming so you may find it easier to get someone else to do it for you. 'Hand stripping' means that the hair is pulled out rather than cut with scissors or clippers. If the hair is not trimmed it continues to grow in length, the hair does not moult like many other breeds. In the wild longer dead hairs would naturally be pulled out as they run through bushes and brambles - thus keeping their coat short.
Photo Above : Typical Wire whose coat will soon be ready to be hand stripped.
If a wire's coat is cut it tends to lose it's characteristic wiry texture and the colours become pale. The distinctive Wire Fox Terrier trimming should be first carried out when the puppy is around three months old. The Wire should be brushed and combed several times a week to keep the coat clean and tangle free.
Preparing a Wire's coat to show standard is a skill which can be learnt from other exhibitors in conjunction with practice. Detailed Show Grooming for a Wire Fox Terrier - By Arden Ross Photo: M Johnson
They do well in agility and fly ball games. A Wire will happily join in with any outdoor games where the children are playing, the rougher and dirtier the better.
They should be kept on a lead near traffic under proper control as they do have a tendency to chase cats or anything else that catches their attention, only because they love to play chasing games. A fully fenced in garden is recommended. They can live with cats in their own home but outside they will chase them.
Training is relatively easy but owners must be consistent and firm. They like to bark and dig so must be trained to stop these actions on command. They can be quite dominant over other dogs so should be properly socialised as puppies. Wires are not easy to obedience train, which is why it is usually safer to exercise them on a lead in public places or anywhere they could get themselves into mischief! Above Photo: Anne Roslin Williams Ailments: As a breed the Wire is a hardy dog that doesn’t suffer from many health problems and any problems they do have tend to be as individuals and non-breed specific. The breed’s hardy constitution and known longevity has never led to the need for breed testing for clinical or hereditary defects. The breed is suitable for hot, sunny climates but thrives in cool climates.
Feeding The Wire is not demanding in its feeding requirements. They do eat a lot considering their size but they are active little dogs. Cost would normally be up to about £4.50 per week.
Litter Size Average 4-6 per litter. Approximate price of a puppy: £550 - £750 Photos: Various Wire puppies
Show Characteristics The Wire Fox Terrier should have a flat skull and a narrow head. The jaws should be strong and muscular with a complete scissor bite. The eyes should be small, round, dark and deep set. The ears are V shaped and drop forward close to the cheeks. The neck is muscular and of a good length. The chest should be deep but not too broad, the shoulders long and sloping.
Click Here - Kennel Club Breed Standard - Fox Terrier (Wire)
Photo left :D Dalton The topline should be level with a short and straight back. The front legs should be straight when viewed from any angle and the back legs should be strong and muscular. The feet should be small, round and compact. The tail should be high set and carried erect but not curling over the back. Tails are customarily docked by approximately one third, but this is now optional.
Click Here - Link to Council of Docked Breeds
Hair should be longer on the muzzle and legs. The colours desired are white with black, black and tan or black markings. White should predominate. Photo: John Hartley
History The Wire is thought to have come about from crosses of the Old English Terrier, smooth coated Black and Tan terriers of England, Bull Terriers, Greyhounds and Beagles. They were used by hunters with the foxhounds to locate foxes when they went to ground by barking and so pinpointing the position of the fox for the huntsman.. They can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century when both smooth and broken coated were from the same origins and classed as one breed. Later, devotees of both coats bred like to like and developed the Wire and Smooth Fox Terrier as we know it today. The breed Standard for this dog was drawn up in 1876 by Officers of The Fox Terrier Club and there are few differences with today’s Standard. Now the weight for dogs is more clearly stated and docking, though customary, is optional. Would like more information on Wire Fox Terriers? Here are some ideas
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Character & Temperament 
To
prepare a wires' coat for a show requires effort beyond what is generally needed
to keep them neat and smart looking. Work would normally begin many weeks before
a show. 'Professional Handlers' are frequently used by owners to prepare
the coat, get the dog into top condition and show the dog.
Exercise Requirements
Wires should have lots of
exercise, they are full of energy and like nothing better than a long walk. 
Intelligence & Trainability
The Wire is an intelligent terrier but can be a bit stubborn like most
terriers. 
The
topcoat should be dense and wiry and the undercoat should be short and soft.