The Wire Fox Terrier is one of many terrier breeds. It is an instantly recognizable fox terrier breed. Although it bears a resemblance to the Smooth Fox Terrier, they are believed to have been developed separately.

Appearance

This is a sturdy, balanced dog weighing up to 21 pounds. Its rough, broken coat is distinctive. The coat colour is predominantly white; brindle or liver markings are a disqualification.

History

The Wire-Haired Fox Terrier was developed in England by fox hunting enthusiasts and is believed descended from a now-extinct rough-coated, black-and-tan working terrier of Wales, Derbyshire, and Durham.

The Wire-Haired Fox Terrier was not popular as a family pet until the 1930s, when The Thin Man series of feature films was created. Asta, the canine member of the Charles family, was a Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, and the popularity of the breed soared. Milou (Snowy) from the Tintin comic strip is also a Fox Terrier.

In the late 20th century, the popularity of the breed declined again, most likely due to changing living conditions in the Western world and the difficulty of keeping hunting terriers in cities due to their strong instincts. Among the less desirable traits of all fox terriers are their energy, digging, stalking, and chasing of other animals and yelping bark.

This notwithstanding, the Wire Fox Terrier has the distinction of having received more Best in Show titles at major conformation shows than any other breed.

See also

Fox Terrier, for additional details on history, genetics, coat color, and so on.

More About Dogs:

• Fox Terrier Dog
The name Fox Terrier or Foxy refers primarily to two different breeds of dog, the Smooth Fox Terrier and the...
• English Toy Terrier Dog
An English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) is a small breed of terrier in the toy dog group. While the...
• Brazilian Terrier Dog
The Brazilian Terrier is one of only two breeds of dog developed in Brazil. It is one of several terriers...
• Toy Manchester Terrier Dog
A Toy Manchester Terrier is a small breed of terrier in the toy dog group. While the name is sometimes...
• American Hairless Terrier Dog
The American Hairless Terrier was formerly a variant type of Rat Terrier. As of January 1, 2004 the American Hairless...