Fox Terrier (wire coat)

Temperament:
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is a bold and energetic terrier. They are enthusiastically playful especially with children. Affectionate with the family. Cheerful and brave. This lovable dynamo is great at learning tricks. Amazing stories are told of the animal's loyalty and devotion. This dog enjoys being part of the family, and will become destructive without enough exercise and leadership. Because of their strong hunting instincts, the Fox Terrier will also hunt and possibly kill other none K-9 animals, such as birds, if given the chance. Keep this breed properly leashed or in a completely enclosed area, because the Fox Terrier likes to go off and explore. If the Fox Terrier is properly socialized and introduced they can get along just fine with other dogs. It is paramount, you are this dogs 100%, firm, consistent, pack leader. If the dog has meek owners, and they allow this terrier to take over the home, developing Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors, where the dog believes he is pack leader, the dog will develop varying degrees of behavior issues. The issues include, but are not limited to, dominance challenges, guarding objects, places and their own food from the owner, excessive barking, jealousy, separation anxiety, dog aggressive, willfulness, growling, snapping, biting, untrustworthy with kids and sometimes adults. They may become ready to charge at all times, scrappy and impulsive, as they attempt to defend THEIR top position in the alpha order. These are not Fox Terrier traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way the dog is treated by the people around him. These behaviors can be corrected as soon as the dog's instincts are met. Stable, firm, consistent rules to follow, limits to what they are and are not allowed to do, along with a daily pack walk.

Grooming:
If your Wirehaired Fox Terrier will be a pet, you can get away with brushing it with a firm bristle brush and bathing only when necessary. To keep the coat looking its best, it must be stripped several times a year and more frequently for show dogs. There is a complex show-grooming routine. Professional groomers have quite a bag of tricks to keep the Wire looking its best for the show ring. The Wire shed little to no hair and are good for allergy sufferers.

Exercise:
Wirehaired Fox Terriers need a daily walk. If you have a fenced in yard, play can take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, it will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. If it is possible, they would love to run free in a safe area. Keep this dog on a leash if there are small animals around. The urge for these dogs to hunt is strong and they are likely to take off after cats and small dogs.

Living Condition:
The Fox Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Origin:
In developing the Terriers, we know today breeders crossed ancient Dachshunds, the English Hound, and later the Foxhound and Beagle. One of the oldest Terriers, the Fox Terrier was used in the 18th century to hunt foxes in England. Its job was to harass fox out of its hole. The dog would snap and growl and lunge at the hiding fox until it bolted. They were also very useful ratters. The Wire was bred for use in rough country, its coat being less vulnerable to damage than that of the Smooth Fox Terrier. Today, the Fox Terrier is primarily a companion dog. The Wirehaired and Smooth Fox Terriers are sometimes regarded as the same breed, although it has been separated in the United States since 1984. Some of the Fox Terrier's talents include: hunting, tracking, watch, agility and performing tricks.