Information, Facts & Origins of the
Wire Fox Terrier Dog Breed
The Wire Fox
Terrier from England and was bred originally for hunting rats and
mice and fox bolting - it was small enough to enter a fox-earth or
drain, yet large enough to run with the hounds. It's origins can
be dated back to the 1700's. The Wire Fox Terrier has an
adventurous and mischievous temperament hence the nickname of "The
Live Wire". This dog is classified as one of the Terrier Dog Group
which we go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom
of this page. The Wire Fox Terrier was first Registered by the AKC
(American Kennel Club) in 1885. Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is
sometimes mis-spelt as terrior and terriors.
Description
of the Wire Fox Terrier Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colours information
The Wire Fox Terrier's coat is normally a shade of white with
tan or black markings.
There are
two types of Fox Terrier, the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier. The wire coated
variety has a harsh wiry jacket requiring considerable attention.
The Smooth variety has a short dense coat that requires far less
attention.
Description
of the Wire Fox Terrier Dog and Puppies Character & Temperament
The
Terrier dogs are small to medium size and are often described as
fiery or feisty. The smallest terriers are ready to take on any
opponents - a necessary attribute when hunting and killing vermin
but not so good for a family pet! Some terriers are yappy and are
known to nip boisterous children. They can also be quite independent and difficult to train.
On the positive side Terriers can be friendly, stable and loyal pets.
Dog
Health information - potential health problems of the Wire Fox
Terrier Dog Breed
All owners of dogs and puppies
are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with
humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog
health problems, including those of the Wire Fox Terrier, can prove to be
costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining
dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of
trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors,
or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions
occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears,
Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate
to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune &
Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health
problems of the Wire Fox Terrier can include:
Cataracts
Legge-Perthes
disease - A disease of the hip joint that results in abnormal
deformity of the ball of the hip joint
Lens Luxation (
In Lens luxation, the lens of the eye luxates, or pops out of place )
Online
Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems Please click the following link for additional
information which we have provided via our:
This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Symptom Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.
Information
on Grooming and Care of the Wire Fox Terrier Dog Breed
The Wire Fox
Terrier
requires weekly care and grooming. All dog breeds require a certain amount of grooming
and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best.
Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing
but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and
nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health
problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially
important in puppies and older Wire Fox Terrier dogs.
Life
Expectancy information of the Wire Fox Terrier Dog Breed
The life
expectancy for this particular breed is 12 – 15 years.
Age
comparison between the Wire Fox Terrier Dog Breed and a Human
Age
comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of
debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the
situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to
sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at
three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine
a dog's age.
The
Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes
providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Wire Fox
Terrier- essential
information but unique to this site. It should also be noted that
the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally
considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can
easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan
" A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated
by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of
the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely
clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will
suit the life and living conditions of the family.
Wire Fox Terrier
Dog - Puppies Info and Names
The
Puppies section, accessed via the Site Index, provides detailed
information about Choosing the right puppy, Puppy Training, Puppy
Care and Puppy Behavior, Growth & Development. We recommend that
the following considerations should always be taken into account
when choosing puppies:
Budget
- Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding
costs of the breed
Convenience
and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
Personal
situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies,
asthma or back pain
Exercising
requirements for the Wire Fox Terrier breed
Living
Conditions for the dog breed - suitability for puppies
Family
- child suitability
Puppy and Dog
Names - The Importance of choosing the right names
Terrier
Dog Breed Information Dogs in the
Terrier group, which
include the Wire Fox Terrier, were developed to hunt and kill vermin. The
vermin included control rats, mice and other predatory animals
such as foxes that might raided a farmer's produce and livestock.The very nature of these tasks require an
energetic, tenacious, brave and determined dog such as the Wire Fox Terrier
. Terrier
dogs have always been viewed as real assets by their
owners and have worked with man for centuries.
Terrier
Dog Breed Duties and Tasks
Characteristics and features
of Terrier Dogs have been introduced and strengthened
by
breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits.
Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century.
Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits
helpful for the duties they were intended for. The trait
encouraged was the ability to dig up underground dens and burrows
and "go to ground" whilst barking noisily to frighten out any
inhabitants.Thus, the
various Terrier breeds, including the Wire Fox Terrier, were introduced to help man
according to his specific requirements such as:
Hunting
vermin
Hunting
larger animals such as foxes
Some
terriers were also able to kill their quarry
In
this day and age not every Wire Fox Terrier might be called to undertake these
vermin -related tasks, but
nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made
the original Wire Fox Terrier breeding program successful.
Examples
of other Breeds within the Terrier Dog Group
The Terrier group includes the Wire Fox Terrier
and all of
the following breeds:
Airedale Terriers, American Staffordshire , Australian , Bedlington
Terriors, Border
, Bull , Cairn , Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Irish Terriors , Kerry Blue
Terriers, Lakeland , Manchester (Standard), Miniature Bull
Terriors, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terriers, Norwich
, Parson Russell, Scottish, Sealyham Terriors, Skye, Smooth Fox, Soft Coated Wheaten, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Welsh, West Highland White
and the Wire Fox Terriers. Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is
sometimes mis-spelt as terrior. Pictures and information about all of the above
Terrier breeds,
together with all other dog groups, may be found
on this website via the following links: