WIRE FOX TERRIER Breed Standards
Despite its great similarity to the Smooth Fox Terrier, the Wire Fox Terrier is thought to have descended from very different ancestors than its Smooth counterpart, and became recognizable as a distinct breed considerably later. The Wire Fox Terrier is thought to descend from the Rough-Coated Black and Tan Terrier of Derbyshire and Durham, England and was first seen in the 19th century.
In addition to the traditional terrier role of vermin exterminator, the Wire Fox Terrier was also used as a fox bolter. The speedy little Wire Fox Terrier would accompany Foxhound packs, bolting after foxes and scaring them from their holes. Dogs with white coats were preferred, as they were more easily discernible from the fox in the dark.
The Wire Fox Terrier entered the show ring about twenty years after the Smooth Fox Terrier, and was an immediate smash. The Fox Terrier (both Smooth and Wire) was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. Though many at that time already viewed the Smooth and Wire to be different breeds, the AKC did not formally recognize the two as distinct breeds until 1985. Today, the Wire Fox Terrier is a bit more popular than the Smooth, though neither dog is particularly common in the United States.
SKILLS: The Terrier should be alert, quick of movement, keen of expression, on the tip-toe of expectation at the slightest provocation. Character is imparted by the expression of the eyes and by the carriage of ears and tail.
Bone and strength in a small compass are essential, but this must not be taken to mean that a Terrier should be "cloddy," or in any way coarse--speed and endurance being requisite as well as power. The Terrier must on no account be leggy, nor must he be too short on the leg. He should stand like a cleverly made, short-backed hunter, covering a lot of ground.
N.B. Old scars or injuries, the result of work or accident, should not be allowed to prejudice a Terrier's chance in the show ring, unless they interfere with its movement or with its utility for work or stud. Terrier Group dog.
SIZE: According to present-day requirements, a full-sized, well balanced dog should not exceed 15½ inches at the withers--the bitch being proportionately lower--nor should the length of back from withers to root of tail exceed 12 inches, while to maintain the relative proportions, the head-as mentioned below-should not exceed 7¼ inches or be less than 7 inches. A dog with these measurements should scale 18 pounds in show condition--a bitch weighing some two pounds less--with a margin of one pound either way.
The dog should be balanced and this may be defined as the correct proportions of a certain point or points, when considered in relation to a certain other point or points. It is the keystone of the Terrier's anatomy. The chief points for consideration are the relative proportions of skull and foreface; head and back; height at withers; and length of body from shoulder point to buttock - the ideal of proportion being reached when the last two measurements are the same. It should be added that, although the head measurements can be taken with absolute accuracy, the height at withers and length of back are approximate, and are inserted for the information of breeders and exhibitors rather than as a hard-and-fast rule.
COAT: The best coats appear to be broken, the hairs having a tendency to twist, and are of dense, wiry texture - like coconut matting--the hairs growing so closely and strongly together that, when parted with the fingers, the skin cannot be seen. At the base of these stiff hairs is a shorter growth of finer and softer hair--termed the undercoat. The coat on the sides is never quite so hard as that on the back and quarters. Some of the hardest coats are "crinkly" or slightly waved, but a curly coat is very objectionable. The hair on the upper and lower jaws should be crisp and only sufficiently long to impart an appearance of strength to the foreface. The hair on the forelegs should also be dense and crisp. The coat should average in length from ¾ to one inch on shoulders and neck, lengthening to 1½ inches on withers, back, ribs, and quarters. These measurements are given rather as a guide to exhibitors than as an infallible rule, since the length of coat depends on the climate, seasons, and individual animal. The judge must form his own opinion as to what constitutes a "sufficient" coat on the day.
Color - White should predominate; brindle, red, liver or slaty blue are objectionable. Otherwise, color is of little or no importance.
CARE REQUIRED: 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.
CHARACTER: The Terrier should be alert, quick of movement, keen of expression, on the tip-toe of expectation at the slightest provocation.
EXERCISE: Given a small yard, Wirehaired Fox Terriers will get enough exercise running around by themselves, but if you live in an apartment, you will need to take them for regular long walks or romps in the park. 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.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: 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.
TRAINING: Be careful, as the Fox Terrier has often bitten, and although they love to play, they should be watched with children. If the Fox Terrier is properly socialized and introduced they can get along just fine with other dogs in the family. Keep this breed properly leashed or in a completely enclosed area, because the Fox Terrier likes to go off and explore. Fox Terriers like to bark and make good watchdogs, although the high-pitched barking can be annoying and may cause problems with neighbors.
