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Wire Fox Terrier Dog Breed Facts
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Breed: Wire Fox Terrier
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Also Called: Wirehaired Fox Terrier
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Height: The Wire Fox Terrier is about 14-15.5 inches tall.
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Weight: The Wire Fox Terrier weighs between 16-18 lbs.
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Colors: The Wire Fox Terrier can be predominately white with black and tan markings.
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Physical Appearance: The Wire Fox Terrier is a muscular but agile, active, small-to-medium hunting terrier, with sufficient length of leg to run with the foxhounds in a hunt, and built to go to ground after fox. The body is square and covered with a dense, wire coat. The head is moderately narrow, with a flat skull, a barely perceptible stop, and a powerful muzzle that is equal in length to the skull. Ears are set high and are V-shaped, dropping forward, and carried close to the skull. The tail is straight, set high, and normally docked, but not close to the body. The Wire Fox Terrier is modeled on the symmetry and power of the Fox Hound. When standing, the distance between the front and rear feet is long in comparison to the relative shortness of the dog's back.
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Temperament/Personality: The Wire Fox Terrier is alert and quick of movement. They instinctively alert their owner when someone is approaching. Good with children and very affectionate.
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Care: The Wire Fox Terrier needs weekly brushing. Bathe when necessary.
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Health Concerns/Problems: The Wire Fox Terrier dog breed is susceptable to the following health problems: Epilepsy, post nasal drip, lens luxation, distichiasis, cataracts, Legg-Perthes disease, and shoulder dislocation.
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Training: The Wire Fox Terrier needs consistent training with a firm hand.
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Activity: The Wire Fox Terrier needs daily walks and playing in the yard.
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Life Span: The Wire Fox Terrier lives an average life of 12-14 years.
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Litter Size: The Wire Fox Terrier has an average litter of 3-6 puppies.
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Country of Origin: The Wire Fox Terrier originated in England.
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Brief History: When fox hunting became popular in England in the late 17th century, hunters found the need for a dog that could go to ground and bolt the quarry. Terriers, game and eager, were ideal for such a purpose but most of the early terriers were dark in color and too low on leg to run with a pack of foxhounds. Hunters began to develop a longer-legged terrier, predominantly white in color so as not to be mistaken for a fox. Early fox terriers were primarily smooth-coated, but the wire coat persisted. By the end of the 19th century, smooth and wire-coated Fox Terriers were in great demand, both as companions and show dogs. Although considered one breed for many years, interbreeding of Smooth Fox Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers ceased in the early 1900s. Except for coat, however, the two breeds are essentially identical.
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