All About Wire Fox Terriers

The Instinctual, Independent and Spirited Wire Fox Terrier in the Home

Terriers! Their name is derived from the Latin, terra meaning earth and that defines their breeding – a dog that goes to earth after its prey. As is apparent, our Wire Foxes were the Terriers considered the most qualified to “bring the fox to earth.” They were bred to be the appropriate size and their tails were docked to about the size of a man’s hand, so, the story goes, the hunter could pull them out of the foxhole when their job was done.

The Wire Fox Terrier originated in England about two centuries ago. And, though they are now primarily pets, their evolution from hunting to hearth did not completely temper the traits that made him so popular and valued as a working dog. What has remained very consistent through the years, however, is that a Wire still makes an impression on looks alone.

How does all this translate now? Here are some characteristics those looking to adopt a Wire Fox Terrier (WFT) should be aware of before bringing a puppy or older WFT into the home.

The Wire Fox Terrier’s Good Looks Can be Deceiving

Are you ready for the attention your Wire might demand? After all, the Wire Fox Terrier has won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club annual show more than any other breed. And a Wire doesn’t have to be a show dog to impress. Inevitably you will hear: “How cute!” “Looks like a stuffed toy!” All true! BUT those good looks can lull the unsuspecting into the idea that a Wire is as easy to live with as those stuffed animals.

WFTs Require Loads of Patience

Do you have patience and a sense of humor? Can you accept being out-foxed? Can you accept that your Wire may need to be your only dog and may not get along with others?

A look into a Wire’s eyes and intelligence is readily apparent. There is also more than a hint of mischievousness. Wire Fox Terriers’ naughtiness, curiosity, playfulness, silliness and tenaciousness feistiness are legendary. They are easily bored. They are champion jumpers and mountain goats. They need vigilance to help to keep them from mischief. Even so, they have an uncanny ability to ferret trouble that no one else could possibly anticipate!

Grooming a Wire Fox Terrier — Hand Stripping and Clipping

To maintain their beautiful looks, Wires need attention to their wiry coats. Daily brushing and grooming are essential! Owners may choose to strip their dogs, have them clipped or do a combination of the two. The former is more expensive but is generally considered the traditional grooming method that is ideal for removing the undercoat, and maintaining the wiry coat and colors. Less bathing is needed. However, whether to strip a dog also depends on a dog’s tolerance for it and is not an absolute necessity for a healthy, beautiful Wire.

Training the Wire Fox Terrier

Wires differ from other breeds in that they are more independent- a quality that was valued on a farm or in the field. They could be set loose and depended on to do the job of hunting foxes and controlling vermin on the farm with little supervision.

They are not so much in need of human approval as other dogs. WFTs derive satisfaction from a job well done, not necessarily praise. Training can be more challenging than it is with dogs from working or sporting breeds who are motivated to please their humans. For help, it is best to find a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) and ideally one familiar with the independent breed so the training is fun yet challenging and different from routine approaches. No surprise, Wires excel in training for earth dog competitions!

It’s important to understand that most,if not all, Wire Fox Terriers have a prey drive. After all, they were bred for hunting!

This fact is our reason for restricting adoptions to families with children younger than eight years. Wires may not distinguish between a squeaky, squealing, running toddler and the prey they have been trained to pursue. The sound and the motion can easily trigger their instincts to run, jump and capture. The way a dog takes charge of a squeaky toy is a good indicator of their prey drive. Most Wires are not kind to such toys and they are often ripped apart in just minutes.

Likewise, having young Wires paired with older, infirm dogs is not a good combination and can lead to devastating consequences. As much as you think your senior wants a companion to feel young again or you feel the need to have a dog for continuity, our position is that this is the time of life that your senior needs and deserves your undivided attention and a new dog can wait.

The Demands of Owning an Energizer Bunny

Do you love frequent long walks? Because they certainly do! Wires need and love exercise. There’s a saying that a tired dog is a happy dog and that certainly applies to Wires.

Well into middle age, a WFTs activity level remains very high. AND, they are notorious escape artists. Talk to the tail is their motto. Harkening back to their independent, prey-driven days, Wires often find a sight, a smell or just the idea of the unknown more alluring than what you may have to offer – even the tastiest treat! This factor is the reason that we stipulate that an adopted Wire should ALWAYS be on leash and, ideally, there is a secured fenced yard. If you have expectations of hiking off-leash with a dog who will obey your every command, a WFT is probably not your breed. A Terrier will run away for the sheer joy of it and leave you behind!

The Unpredictable Wire Fox Terrier

Another reason why it is good to always have your Wire under control is that they often cannot be trusted to get along with others. Yes, they can have an attitude to match their feistiness. Wires are proud little dogs with unmatched confidence in their abilities to take on the world. Their feistiness can mean that while they stroll along on their stiff, straight, broomstick legs, and they encounter any other dog (be it Great Dane or Chihuahua), they may do so with a bit of a chip on their shoulders. They often assume they are top dog and can dominate others no matter the size. This trait does not go over well in dog parks and may even limit bringing a companion dog into the home though there are many exceptions to this. While they may not start a fight, Wires can always be ready to rumble and finish one. For these reasons as well as health concerns about other dogs, we do not recommend dog parks be used for your Wire’s exercise needs.

The Wire Fox Terrier’s Destructive Nature

Are you prepared to endure some property damage and inappropriate ingestion of all sorts of items – at least at the start or maybe forever?

Doggie balls and toys and even shoes destroyed in minutes? The combination of energy, curiosity and intelligence all combine to support a Wire’s stealth thievery and taste testing with the swallowing of any number of curious items, food and unpredictable items. No matter how vigilant we are, they seem capable of finding a way. These wooly waggers can literally “pull the wool” over your eyes!

Consistent with their background, terriers are notorious diggers. Would you mind an archeological dig in your landscaped yard?

Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Wire Fox Terrier

If you are a terrier person and are undaunted by our list of caveats, here are the top ten reasons to adopt a Wire Fox terrier.

1. You will be giving a deserving Wire Fox Terrier a new chance to receive a bundle of love and care in a home with people who understand and appreciate their unique personalities. After decades of rescuing and adopting, we can attest that you will get to see gratitude in the eyes of your Wire as you have never witnessed before.
2. You will be rewarded with a loyal, loving and fun companion whose love is unconditional, devotion is unselfish and whose cuddle talent is premium.
3. You will have the gift of your own stand up comedian in residence whose showtimes may be unpredictable but well worth the wait: those shows will guarantee laughs, smiles and joy nearly every day.
4. You may get to practice forgive and forget frequently.
5. Any incidences of near heart failure and high blood pressure from Wire antics are easily offset by a good brisk walk instead of medical intervention.
6. You don’t ever have to walk alone in this world and will have the motivation and health benefits of daily exercise.
7. You may have the inspiration to redecorate inside and re-landscape outside.
8. You will have a beautiful partner that may exasperate you but will always make you proud.
9. You will have the fun of joining the decades old club of Wire Fox terrier lovers who agree “once a Wire Fox Terrier lover, always a Wire Fox Terrier lover.”
10. Upon a return to your home, whether after a short or long absence, you will be greeted with unmatched terrier joy that is deliciously contagious.