Wire Fox Terrier: Breed Guide

In this guide, we’ll dig into everything you need to know about the Wire Fox Terrier — from their scrappy beginnings to grooming tips, personality traits, exercise needs and more. Whether you’re already head over paws or just starting your research, consider this your ultimate intro to this breed.

Wire Fox Terrier Origin

Before they were stealing hearts on sofas, Wire Fox Terriers were busy bounding through the British countryside on the hunt for foxes. These scrappy little legends were bred with purpose — full of grit, smarts and stamina. 

The beginning

The origins of the Wire Fox Terrier breed date back to the 18th century. Dogs with similar appearance and characteristics were used by hunters for fox hunting in Great Britain. The task of fox terriers was to scare foxes from their dens, which required from the dogs not only courage and determination, but also appropriate physical traits, such as small size, compact body structure and endurance.

Initially, Fox Terriers were crosses of various terrier breeds, aimed at obtaining a dog that was ideal for these specific hunting tasks.

Development of the breed

The development of the Wire Fox Terrier breed gained momentum in the 19th century, when breeders began to work more systematically on consolidating the desired traits.

An important step was to separate the wire-haired fox terrier from its short-haired counterpart, which was intended to highlight its unique features, such as the hard and dense coat that protected it from harsh weather conditions and injuries during hunting.

Breeders focused on selecting dogs with appropriate hunting traits, such as endurance, agility, strong hunting instinct and the ability to work in a group.

In the second half of the 19th century, the Wire Fox Terrier became popular not only in Great Britain but also in other European and North American countries. In 1876, the first breed club, The Fox Terrier Club, was formed and developed a breed standard, helping to further consolidate the characteristics of the Wire Fox Terrier.

Currently

Today, the Wire Fox Terrier is very popular both as a hunting dog and as a family companion. Its endurance, intelligence and energetic nature make it perfect for various dog sports, such as agility, obedience and flyball.

The Wire Fox Terrier is also valued for its ability to adapt to different conditions, which makes it a suitable dog for life in both the countryside and the city.

What Were Wire Fox Terriers Bred For?

Originally bred for fox hunting, these terriers were tasked with going underground to bolt foxes out of their dens. That means they had to be brave, bold and small enough to squeeze into tight spaces. Their wiry coat helped protect them from the elements and the odd nip or scratch from an annoyed fox.

Wire Fox Terrier Breed Group

Wire Fox Terriers belong to the Terrier group — a bunch of dogs known for their feistiness, independence, and serious digging skills. These pups are the go-getters of the dog world, always ready for a challenge (or a squirrel chase).

Wire Fox Terrier Ideal Owner

This breed is best suited to an active, patient owner who’s ready for a bit of a whirlwind in a wire coat. Whether you’re a sporty single, an energetic couple, or a fun-loving family with older kids, this pooch will fit right in — as long as you’re ready to provide lots of stimulation, training, and adventure.

Wire Fox Terrier Size

Wire Fox Terriers are small but mighty. They’ve got the compact build of a working dog and the confidence of a much larger breed.

How Big Do Wire Fox Terriers Get?

Wire Fox Terriers are small but full of bounce, with males standing around 39cm (15.5 inches) and females slightly smaller at 36–37cm (14–14.5 inches).

How Much Should a Wire Fox Terrier Weigh?

Most adult Wire Fox Terriers weigh between 7.5 to 8.5kg. They’re lean, muscular pups with boundless energy, so keeping them in tip-top shape with a balanced diet and regular exercise is key.

When Do Wire Fox Terriers Stop Growing?

Like most small-to-medium breeds, they usually reach their full adult size by around 12 months of age, but they’ll keep maturing mentally (and sometimes mischievously) until they’re about 18 months old.

Wire Fox Terrier Coat

The Wire Fox Terrier’s iconic scruffy look isn’t just for show – it’s a badge of honour from their working-dog roots. That wiry, weather-resistant coat kept them safe while darting through hedgerows and digging into dens.

Do Wire Fox Terriers Shed?

Wire Fox Terriers are considered low-shedding, which is ideal if you’d prefer to avoid a house full of fur tumbleweeds.

Are Wire Fox Terriers Hypoallergenic?

No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but Wire Fox Terriers can be a good choice for allergy sufferers thanks to their minimal shedding. Still, spend time with one before committing if you’ve got sensitivities — better safe than sniffly.

How to Groom a Wire Fox Terrier

Grooming wire-haired fox terrier dogs is relatively simple, but requires systematic care and attention. Their coarse, thick and hard coat requires regular removal of dead hair and combing. Brush your dog at least once a week, using a brush with stiff bristles, which effectively removes dead hair and prevents the formation of mats.

In addition to brushing, wire-haired fox terriers need to be trimmed every few months — this involves removing dead hair with a special trimmer — to help keep the coat structured and healthy.

Bathing your dog is not necessary too often unless they get really dirty. Be sure to use a mild shampoo designed specifically for dogs so as not to irritate the skin. Bathing too often can dry out the skin and strip it of its natural protective oils.

Wire Fox Terrier Personality

The Wire Fox Terrier is a dog with a dynamic and lively nature. Its history as a hunting dog means that it loves to explore its surroundings, sniff and take on challenges, which helps it avoid boredom and frustration.

Are Wire Fox Terriers Good Family Dogs?

Absolutely, as long as the family is up for their energy levels. They’re great with older kids who know how to interact with a spirited pup and will thrive in households where they get lots of attention and playtime. They might be a bit much for very young children, but in the right home, they’re loyal, loving, and endlessly entertaining companions.

Are Wire Fox Terriers Easy to Train?

This intelligent and eager-to-learn dog requires a consistent and patient owner who uses positive training methods. The Wire Fox Terrier quickly learns new commands, especially when rewarded with treats, praise and play for good behavior.

Do Wire Fox Terriers Bark a Lot?

They can be a bit vocal, especially if they’re bored or left to their own devices. It’s part of their watchdog nature. With good training and plenty of mental stimulation, you can teach your terrier to keep it down when needed.

Are Wire Fox Terriers Intelligent?

They’re sharp as a tack. These dogs pick up new tricks quickly and love problem-solving, which makes them brilliant in dog sports and training challenges. Just make sure they don’t outsmart you.

Can Wire Fox Terriers Be Left Alone?

Not for too long. They love being around their people and can get up to mischief if left alone for hours on end. If your lifestyle means long workdays, consider a dog walker, doggy daycare, or even a furry sibling to keep them company.

Can Wire Fox Terriers Swim?

Some can, but they’re not natural-born water dogs. If you introduce them to water slowly and safely, they might enjoy a paddle — but don’t expect them to dive in like a Labrador.

Wire Fox Terrier Exercise

These little livewires aren’t the type to lounge around all day. With energy to burn and a nose that needs to sniff every blade of grass, the Wire Fox Terrier thrives on daily adventures. 

Whether it's chasing a ball, doing zoomies in the park, or getting their paws muddy on a long countryside walk, this pup needs proper playtime to stay happy and well-behaved.

How Much Exercise Does a Wire Fox Terrier Need?

These energetic explorers need at least an hour of exercise a day — and they’ll love more if you can give it. Long walks, games of fetch, agility training, or scent work will keep both their bodies and brains happy. A tired Wire Fox Terrier is a well-behaved Wire Fox Terrier.

Wire Fox Terrier Health

When choosing a Wire Fox Terrier puppy, it is worth checking the breeder carefully. Responsible breeders test their dogs for hereditary diseases and allow only healthy individuals to breed, which reduces the risk of health problems in the offspring.

Are Wire Fox Terriers Prone to Any Health Conditions?

However, it is important to remember that this breed can have some health issues. Here are some of them:

• hip and elbow dysplasia

• eye diseases such as cataracts and corneal dystrophy

• skin problems , including allergies and atopic dermatitis

• respiratory diseases such as tracheitis

Wire Fox Terrier Cost

Bringing a Wire Fox Terrier into your life is a big commitment — not just in cuddles and walkies, but in pounds and pence too.

How Much Do Wire Fox Terriers Cost?

In the UK, a Wire Fox Terrier puppy from a reputable breeder can cost anywhere between £800 to £1,500, depending on lineage, health testing, and breeder reputation. Don’t forget the ongoing costs of quality food, grooming, insurance, and vet care — they all add up when you’ve got a high-energy pup in your pack.