Wire Fox Terrier - Appearance & Grooming
Dog Breeds
Introduction
Appearance & Grooming of the Wire Fox Terrier Dog Breed: The average Wire Fox Terrier stands 14 to 16 inches high at the shoulders and weighs between 13 and 18 pounds. Their harsh coat requires occasional brushing and should be hand stripped at least once a year to remove dead hairs.
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Appearance
The Wire Fox Terrier is an active, lively dog with a short white coat and black or brown markings. They are small but strong and powerful with well-defined muscles - qualities necessary in the world of fox hunting. The skull is flat and tapering and the ears fold forward in a V. The eyes are small, deep set and dark in color. The head is wedge shaped and chiseled, the neck strong. The tail is customarily docked to ¾ length and stands upward. The dense double coat, as the name suggests, is wiry in texture, with hair that appears to be twisted and broken.
Size and Weight
Adult males should not stand higher than 15.5 inches at the shoulder and females should not stand higher than 12 inches. In proper proportion, this means males should weigh about 18 pounds, and females, 16. Weight standards allow for a one inch deviation in either direction, as long as the dog's weight is in proportion to the height.
Coat and Color
The Wire Fox Terrier sports a dense, wiry coat, that should look as though the hairs are broken. The coat may also have a slight wave. The undercoat, conversely, is short and soft. The hair is so thick, that when you part it with your fingers, you can't see the skin of the dog.
They should be predominately white and can have black, tan or black and tan markings. The head of the dog is usually solid colored but markings on the face are acceptable. Show dogs should never be brindle, red, slate blue or liver. Some breeders may contend these colors are rare and charge a premium. This is untrue. These colors are not rare, and will cause a show dog to be disqualified. These colors, however, have no bearing on the health or temperament of the dog.
Grooming Needs
The Wire Fox Terrier's coat requires stripping in order to maintain the proper look and texture. Stripping can be done at home, or at the groomer, and should be done at least twice per year. If a dog is not competing, his coat can be clipped, however this changes the texture of the coat, making it soft and also alters the coloring of the dog.
Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and fight gum disease. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear the toenails down naturally.
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Temperament & Personality