The Wire Fox Terrier is an active, feisty little dog originally bred to hunt foxes in the British Isles. Although he is happy in the home and a great companion and lap-dog, he definitely needs to be given plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. With a mischievous temperament, he enjoys making up his own games which may or may not please his owners. The more bored he gets, the more he will try to make his own fun, which usually results in destructive behaviors. With a low threshold for boredom, it is important that his owners see to it that his mental needs are met!
Friendly with people of all ages, the Wire Fox certainly exudes a cheerful demeanor most of the time. He is loyal and devoted to his family, as well as being affectionate. Good with kids, he loves to be “in the middle of the action”, and enjoys active children who will play ball with him. A caveat should be made for young children, such as toddlers… the Wire Fox may be too energetic for them. As with all dogs and children, supervision is absolutely recommended.
The Wire Fox is a very bold little terrier, ready to rush into any situation at a moment’s notice. Sometimes this courageous streak can lead him into dangerous encounters, which means that would-be owners need to keep him out of harm’s way! Some examples of his misplaced enthusiasm can include chasing bikes or cars, running after dangerous animals, and trying to start fights with dogs much bigger than himself.
The Wire is not a needlessly yappy dog although they will bark if they hear a strange sound. People that live in apartments or other areas where there is a lot of activity may find that their Wire Fox makes a lot of noise. This said, other members of the breed will become accustomed to the constant sounds around them and will remain fairly quiet dogs. It really does depend, although the majority of Wire Fox Terriers are not considered nuisance barkers.
As with many terriers, the Wire does not shed however he will still need to have his coat taken care of regularly. People with show dogs will have their coats “stripped” several times a year, which is a painless process for the dog but time-consuming for the owner. If preferred, a pet owner can simply keep the coat clippered, although the color and texture of the coat will become soft and dull compared to a coat which has been stripped. The coat of the Wire is unique in that, if one tries to part the coat, the skin underneath cannot be seen! This is due to the density of the coat and gives indication to the importance of keeping it combed out and/or stripped or clippered.
Many Wire Fox Terriers do not get along with other dogs, whether living with them or not. This aggression can also extend to other animals such as cats or even critters living outdoors. The trait is not surprising considering that they were bred to be hunting dogs – and many take their jobs very seriously! This said, it is possible (and recommended) to socialize them as puppies among other dogs. With the right amount of socialization (plus the right genetics), some Wires will live amiably with other dogs – although cats and small creatures are usually still fair game.
While a big yard can provide a lot of space for a Wire to run and play in, be aware that most love to dig! Some people find it helpful to designate a “digging spot” such as in a sandbox, although this may or may not work with this breed. Supervising them while they are outside generally yields the best results for eliminating problem digging behaviors, and can also be helpful in other areas as well – the Wire is known to be an escape artist and can jump, climb, and dig under fences. Keeping an eye on them is often key to having them be well-behaved in the yard.
The Wire Fox is an intelligent dog with an independent nature. They are very trainable, but would-be owners should be aware that they cannot be trained in the same way as a Border Collie or a Lab. Rather than anticipating what the trainer might want, many Wire Fox Terriers are interested in “what’s in it for me?” With a dominant streak and an occasional reactive nature, this breed needs to be taught with the right mix of “fun but firm”. Wires that are not taught any obedience, and who live with owners who don’t set down house rules, often end up with nasty behavior issues.
Photo By State Farm