- Wirehaired Fox Terrier Training
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Wirehaired Fox Terrier
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General Description
(Wire Fox Terrier, Fox Terrier Wire Coat, Wire) The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is a unique looking breed. Its most distinctive feature is its long muzzle ending in a wiry beard. Like its beard, the rest of the breed’s coat is also wiry but is also quite thick. The breed comes in colors ranging from pure white to a mix of white and black or tan. At the top of their narrow heads, their small ears fold down halfway adding to its interesting look. Their tiny eyes are set deep in their heads and sparkle with the dog’s lively personality. Their heads extend into a long, muscular neck and a compact body. The dog’s front legs are straight and their tail is usually docked so it stands straight up.Know something we don't? Add it here
Character
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is brave and devoted to its family. They can often be wary around strangers and do not always get along with other dogs. However, they are good family dogs who enjoy playing with children and being the center of attention. They are very energetic and mischievous which means they can sometimes become bored. The breed has a tendency to become diggers, particularly when bored, and to bark when they feel threatened. They are commonly possessive over toys and people which can cause them to bite. Because of their stubbornness, it is important they get some training and that their owner is firm.
Size
13-16 inches
Weight
13-20 pounds
General Health
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is generally a healthy breed that can enjoy life for more than 15 years. One of the more severe genetic issues the breed faces is epilepsy. The Wirehaired Fox Terrier can also suffer from Cushing’s disease, Legg-Perthes disease, luxating patellas, and skin allergies. Additionally, as with some other breeds, the Wirehaired Fox Terriers have a risk for deafness which increases with the amount of white visible on the dog.*
Rarely Wirehaired Fox Terriers are known to have issues with their kidneys causing their kidneys to be half sized. Symptoms included random peeing in inappropriate places, when sitting on your lap or sleeping. If gone untreated, the breed will have extensive urinary issues and ultimately kidney failure This is a issue is becoming more numerous in this breed due to excessive breeding. Please contact your vet if your pet develops these symptoms.
History
Wirehaired Fox Terriers were bred in England exclusively for hunting fox not for companionship. Like other terrier breeds, these dogs were created by crossing Dachshunds, Beagles, and similar small hunting dogs. Although the breed is now mainly a companion animal, this was not the case until the1930s. The breed is probably best well-known for its appearances in late 1930’s movies, such The Awful Truth (1937) and Bringing Up Baby (1938). Prior to that, Charles Darwin kept a Wirehaired Fox Terrier as a pet.
Maintenance
Wirehaired Fox Terriers should get plenty of exercise otherwise they will become defiant and mischievous. The breed needs long walks or an enclosed yard to run in. They also need to be trained or have something to keep them busy. As with most dogs, it is important for the breed to get plenty of socialization as puppies to prevent potential problems later. Their coat does not require much maintenance, but they do need to be brushed two to three times a week. A few times a year, their coat needs to be shaped by a groomer.
Ideal Environment
The most vital requirement for owning a Wirehaired Fox Terrier is time for exercise. They are very active and enjoy long walks. They at least need a yard to run around in. Without enough exercise, the breed can become difficulty to live with and very destructive. Because it is intelligent, the breed should get training to keep its mind stimulated and to keep it out of trouble. Since they are active, it is best they not live with older people. However, they are good with children and families.
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Ask a QuestionWirehaired Fox Terrier Q&A
What is the solution for skin allergies and ear infections? Our Wire Hair Male Terrier at 7 yrs. old is costing a lot of visits to the vet.
We have noticed that our WHFT is having mild seizures. We have seen three of them in five months. They are about one minute in length from beginning to completely over. I read that this is common in these dogs. At what point to we do more for her? She is perfectly fine at other times and they merely make her shake and lift her legs funny when she walks. Her tail wags in one direction and she does not fall over. This is just odd and I want to be sure we are taking care of her. I just pet her through it and she seems fine.
Hi, I am not a vet but I have a dog that has seizures too. My vet told me that if they get too long or too frequent that he could prescribe medication to control them. At first this wasn't necessary but they became more frequent so I have him on phenobarbitol now and he hasn't had another seizure since.
My vet also told met hat if a seizure lasts 2 minutes or more to get him to an emergency vet right away.
Recently acquired WFT about 2 years old. He seems friendly and well behaved but sometimes gets subdued and seems depressed despite periods of play. Any suggestions to cheer him up or will this happen over time?
This is so funny you mentioned the "depressed" behavior. Our dog does this too. She will just stand still and look so mournful. We call her"taxidermy dog" because she's so still that she looks like she's stuffed. However, as soon as we move or do something different, she pops out of it.
Hi my mother breeds them and I have had mine for 3 years. He is a very loyal dog that loves companionship. He is very excited when he first sees either me or my fiancee. After long walks or periods of play he soon lies down near us but he will still follow either of us if we go into a different room. When its me in the house and when my fiancee is out and vice versa he lies at the top of the stairs waiting for her to come home almost in a "depressed" state but I think he just likes the attention of new people giving him attention! I might be wrong but he is probably missing his former owners but will soon get over it with plenty of love and affection! They are truely great dogs and I wouldnt change mine for the world! (except when he runs off!!!!!!!!) Good luck!
Can these dogs be crate trained?
I have raised Wire Hair Fox Terriers for the past 12 years, have had several litters of pups with different dams and all of mine have been crate trained. I would start the crating process with pups before they would even get to their new homes. Although my adults rarely sleep in a closed crate anymore, they still prefer to sleep in their crate, I leave the door open for them. This also makes traveling more convenient. They don't mind it all.
When we got our dog from a "foster mom", she had already come to us crate trained. This worked very well. However, I found that she was much happier sleeping out at night and has NEVER done anything to be a problem. She really did not like the crate training ever and did not act like some dogs that seem to take refuge there. It was just a place that she missed out on all the action. So, yes, it would have been fine, but we stopped it since she is so good.
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our dog TAZ!!!
Taz is a sweet and smart dog. he learns very fast. he is the best dog i think i could have found for my kids. he also gets along very well with our shi tzu Bin-Bin. i tell everyone we have the two best dogs in the world they are justs like one of the kids!!
Pros: playful, good with kids, loyal
Cons: likes to chew shoes