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The word terrier comes from the Latin “Terrarius”, and describes those compact, brave dogs who were used to hunt vermin, especially badgers and foxes. The history of the Fox Terrier goes back to the middle ages, when the popular dogs of the day were generally hounds, who were used to hunt stag and boar. But fox hunting was also popular, and here smaller, but equally powerfully-built, dogs were needed to chase the prey out when it went to earth.

This is one breed of terrier that does not owe its name to a particular region, but rather to the purpose it was used for. Wires and smooths share a common history, in 1862, they were shown together and it was not until a show in Birmingham in 1873 that there were as separate classes for the two coats. The “Fox Terrier Club”, founded in 1876, published a standard for smooths and wires, and in 1894 wires began to be trimmed.

Character

A lively, fearless dog, instinctive and ready to take on all comers, on tiptoes to chase anything that moves. Brave and intelligent, fox terriers make both excellent pets and working dogs. They need firm handling and discipline otherwise they tend to rule the roost!

Generally speaking hunting is the ruling passion of all fox terriers, although this can vary from dog to dog.

Conformation

Fox terriers are compact dogs, measuring between 36 and 39 centimetres at the withers, with bitches weighing roughly 7kgs and dogs 8.5kgs. Wires have characteristic long, lean heads with small, lively eyes and small folded ears. They are well-bodied with deep, but fairly narrow, chests, and short-backed with powerful hindquarters. Power and substance in a compact size is the most fitting description for a typical fox terrier, a dog that should be agile and never heavy, well-suited to the purpose he was bred for.

Wires have no great problems with either the heat or the cold and adapts well to various climates.

Life style

Wires are lively animals, not lapdogs. They love to be always on the go with their owners…..long walks, agility competitions, frisbee in the park…. All this and more is fine for letting off steam and using up some of that inexhaustible supply of energy they seem to have.

Looking after a wire

Wires need stripping every three to four months to get rid of dead hair and keep their colours bright and defined. Stripping and good trimming will also keep them in that characteristic shape which is so typical of the wire. Wires are double-coated breeds, with a wirey topcoat and a softer undercoat, they are usually trimmed fairly short on the body, with a wirey beard and longer leg furnishings.

Wires do not require frequent baths, although dogs living in the smog of grimey cities will probably need washing more often than their country cousins. Use a specific shampoo for wire coats with the right pH to keep your dog’s coat in good shape. A clean skin is a healthy skin.

Diet

Good quality dry dog food or tinned food with kibble will give your wire a healthy, balanced diet, read the instructions carefully to make sure the quantities are correct. Bones are risky because they may cause constipation and fragments can perforate the digestive tract. Never give a dog chicken or rabbit bones. Dogs should finish their meals, don’t leave leftover food down, it encourages faddy eating habits.

Dogs must always have a bowl of clean water available.