Wire Fox Terrier breed guide: Care, training, and fun facts
Breed guide overview
About Wire Fox Terriers
Temperament
Exercise
Grooming
Training
Diet
Health
About the Wire Fox Terrier breed
Wire Fox Terriers are a spirited and lively breed with a rich history. Originating in England, they were originally bred for fox hunting. These small to medium-sized dogs have a distinctive appearance with their wiry, weather-resistant coats, erect ears, and expressive eyes.
Weight, height & life expectancy
Male Wire Fox Terriers can reach heights of up to 39cm, while females typically measure slightly smaller.
In terms of weight, they usually range between 7 and 9kg.
The average life expectancy of Wire Fox Terriers is around 12 to 15 years.
What is the temperament of a Wire Fox Terrier like?
Wire Fox Terriers are known for their spirited and outgoing temperament. They are intelligent, curious, and always ready for action. With their lively personalities, they thrive on mental and physical stimulation. While they can be independent and stubborn at times, early and consistent training is essential to establish boundaries and ensure good behaviour.
Wire Fox Terriers are generally good with children, but due to their high energy levels and terrier instincts, like with all dogs, it's recommended to supervise interactions with kids. If socialised from a young age they can like other dogs, but some of them are not dog-friendly, and a number of them don’t get on well with cats.
Our Wire Fox Terrier Community
“Geoffrey is an adorable fox terrier puppy. He’s very gentle & loves nothing more than cuddles & a long snooze.”
Geoffrey’s owner, Laura from Somerset
“High energy, sociable (loves people and especially other dogs), clever and mischievous, confident - perhaps too much so!”
Nobby’s owner, Gail from Aberdeen
How much exercise does a Wire Fox Terrier need?
Wire Fox Terriers are an energetic breed that requires a significant amount of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. They need at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise every day to help burn off their energy and prevent boredom.
Although there is no scientific basis to the 5 minutes of exercise per month of age “rule”, it can be a guide to make sure you don’t over-exercise your puppy. Fox Terrier pups could get 5 minutes of exercise per month of age once or twice a day. As well as walks though fun, mental stimulating games can entertain and tire an active pup, which is very useful with these super smart pooches. By around 1-2 years old, they can usually handle the full exercise needs of an adult, if amounts of exercise are increased gradually.
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Do Wire Fox Terriers need a lot of grooming?
Wire Fox Terriers have a unique coat that requires regular grooming to maintain its texture and appearance. Their dense, wiry coats should be hand-stripped twice a year to remove dead hair and keep the coat in good condition. A professional groomer can advise on this.
In addition to stripping, regular brushing is necessary to prevent matting and tangling of the hair. It's recommended to brush their coat at least once or twice a week.
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. If you can’t manage that often, just do it as often as you can.
Are Wire Fox Terriers easy to train?
Wire Fox Terriers are intelligent dogs that enjoy mental stimulation and learning new things. However, they can be independent and stubborn, which can present training challenges. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement techniques are key when training Wire Fox Terriers.
Early socialisation is important to help Wire Fox Terriers become well-rounded and comfortable in various environments. Basic obedience training should start from a young age to establish good manners and ensure they respond to commands.
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What do Wire Fox Terriers eat?
Wire Fox Terriers thrive on a balanced and nutritious diet. Feed them high-quality dog food formulated for their specific life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). As adults, divide their meals into two portions a day.
Feed them puppy food 3-4 times a day when they are young, reducing to twice a day at 6 months and feed puppy food until about 12 months old, or as advised by your pet food supplier and/or vet.
Wire Fox Terriers can be prone to weight gain if overfed, so it's important to measure their food portions and avoid excessive treats.
Are Wire Fox Terriers healthy?
Wire Fox Terriers are generally healthy dogs, but like any breed, they can be prone to certain health conditions. It's important to be aware of these potential issues and provide regular veterinary care. Some common health concerns in Wire Fox Terriers include:
Bones and joints
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease - a hip condition that affects the blood supply to the head of the femur bone, leading to breakdown of the bone, pain and lameness
Luxating patella - this is when a dog’s kneecap moves out of where it should normally be
Eyes
Cataracts - a common cause of blindness due to a clouding of the lens of the eye
Glaucoma - the pressure of the eye becomes too high which can damage the eye
Primary Lens Luxation - the lens of the eye shifts from its normal position, which results in glaucoma and inflammation
Progressive Retinal Atrophy - over time the back of the eye becomes damaged which can reduce your dog’s vision, eventually leading to blindness
Skin
Atopy - when the immune system overreacts to an allergen and results in skin irritation.
This list is by no means comprehensive, if you have any concerns about the health of your dog, or if you want to discuss further if a Wire Fox Terrier is right for you, consult with your vet.
Vet top tip
Start early with consistent training and mental stimulation, Wire Fox Terriers are intelligent, energetic, and have a strong prey drive. Regular exercise, structured training sessions, and puzzle toys will keep their minds and bodies busy, helping to prevent destructive behaviour.
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Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive. If you ever have any concerns about your dog's health, contact your local vet.
