(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.

The Wire Fox Terrier is an allergy-free dog for pet owners with asthma.

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.

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.

The inappropriate urination is usually found in spayed females. The lack of estrogen in their systems allows bladders to leak. This can be treated by a veterinarian.

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.

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.

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.

	will a Wirehaired terrier mix get along with a bishon? My wire haired fox terrier loves my 23 lbs poodle and gets along fine with other dogs
	My fox terrier is mixed with a beagle. Her father is a wired fox terrier and her mother is a beagle. How big do you think she will be? She looks like her father.
	I have a wirehaired terrier ? she has blonde hair. I was told she was pureblood. I can't seem to find any info about just a wirehaired (no fox)terrier, or any pictures to see for myself. I believe she was bred for hunting badgers? The common colors for wire haired fox terriers will be mainly white with black and tan markings, but a few are white with tan markings. If the color areas are not striped out they will fade to almost white. They are a old English breed that where bred for getting the fox out of it’s den, www. Akc.org. is a good link to get information.
	I have a WFT 3 yrs old with skin allergies. He has itchy reddish skin on his chest area and armpits. His face is itchy also.When I put his t shirt or sweater on him the allergy seems to stop.But he still needs weekly baths since the area gets oily and an odor. I am suspecting a fungal type issue. Any advise on what shampoos to use, or natural remedies? My wirehaired has the same problem, the vet told me he is allergied to grass, and this problem is seasonal.
	My wire hair has some back leg/back problems.She is 14 yr. old and especially has trouble getting up off linoleum floors. Back legs cross etc. and seems to have hard time controlling them. Have been to vet, and he says could be arthritus.Recently talked to another owner whose WHFT has same problem. What can you tell me about this? Is it common among them? my dog had the same symptoms. in the end it was determined that she has severe allergies. it could be all sorts of things, such as grass, beef (yes beef), yeast and oatmeal(found in most dog foods). an allergy test is very helpful but expensive..
	I have a four year old fox terrier, who within the last two years developed greasy hair, as well as, fluid filled boils. The vet was no help. Her skin is very red, she doesn't to itch it, but it definitely has an odor to it. I've also noticed she has developed a lot of brown spots on her back (moles?) Any suggestions on certain shampoos, food, etc. your dog has yeast. you need to control its carbs in its diet and avoid wheat. I have had the same issue before with my wire haired. you need an all natural dog food minus the potato and wheat.
	I just rescued a WFT, she is more than 10 pounds over weight and hates the food the shelter had her on. She loves rice and carrots. Can I give her small portions of each twice a day until she looses the weight, or would this not include enough supplement. Hi;; Rice is a carb to avoid. She won't loose weight being on rice. Brown rice would be better and string beans would be the best. So, what ever food she eats, replace a third of it with string beans. Also, use this site for the REAL information. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/ I have two black labs that get frozen string beans or fresh squash daily. weba
	Are WTF waterdogs? My new pal almost ran off the pier in order to play with some ducks. I am not sure if she just didn't realize that she would end up in the drink with the extra step, or if she didnt mind getting all wet in order to have a chance at her quary. Our dog goes nuts when we turn on the hose, sprinkler, set up the baby pool or have any form of water going. However, she's not fond of the rain and she does not like our shower. (which is how we clean her) We are about to take her to the lake this Friday for the first time. I know she will love swimming as she always jumps in the ponds that we walk past. She either loves water so much, or she is trying to kill it.
	Is it normal for this breed to run for freedom if the door is left open? I have a 3 year old WHFT and if I open the door and tell him to stay he does, but if a guest is half way throught he door and not paying attention he makes a break for the door and if he gets through and is gone down to the beach! He is walked daily and i even take him running so its not like he never gets out!! With our Wire Hair Male, he has gotten "loose" several times. I have mistakenly dropped the leash. As I drew in my breath, he turned to look at me, as if to say, "bye, fool" and off he went. With me screaming and racing for the houses across the road on the golf course. My greatest fear was for him to advance to the golf course. Once, he gets his freedom, he is "off". I dreaded the idea of him running over to the golf course. One night in the dark, I had to chase him behind those houses over near the pond in the black night with the alligator in the water. Above all else, my hand clings to his leash, when we go outside. If, he is anywhere near an open door as we are going outside, he is told to move out of the area. We, humans, (Ha-Ha) are trying to be smarter than the terrier.
	Can these dogs be crate trained? 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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