Terrier group
Wire Fox Terrier
The most decorated show terrier — bold, bright and bursting with energy.
Wire Fox Terriers are lively, wiry-coated terriers bred to bolt foxes. They are clever, confident and affectionate, with high energy, strong prey drive and a coat that needs regular stripping.
- Height
- 14–15.5 in36–39 cm
- Weight
- 15–18 lb7–8 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Size
- Small
- Group
- Terrier
- Origin
- England
Coat: Dense, wiry, broken coat. Colours: White with black and tan, White with tan, White with black.
At a glance
Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.
Temperament
Wires are alert, playful and fearless. They bond closely with their families and love games, exploring and attention.
They are independent and quick to chase, dig and bark. Some are scrappy with other dogs. Plenty of exercise and consistent training are essential.
Living with a Wire Fox Terrier
Exercise
About an hour of vigorous daily exercise with running and games.
Grooming
Brush weekly and hand-strip or clip every few months. Low shedding.
Training
Clever but independent; keep training fun and consistent. Recall is challenging.
Kids & other pets
Good with older children; supervise with other dogs. Unsafe with small pets.
Time alone
Bored Wires bark, dig and chew. Provide exercise and puzzles.
Home fit
Can manage in an apartment with committed daily exercise; a house with outdoor space is easier.
Is a Wire Fox Terrier right for you?
Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Wire Fox Terrier matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.
Health
With good breeding and care, a Wire Fox Terrier typically lives 12–15 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.
Primary lens luxation
The lens dislocates, causing pain and glaucoma; a DNA test is available.
Deafness
Linked to white coats; BAER testing identifies affected puppies.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Degeneration of the hip joint in young small dogs.
Allergies
Skin allergies causing itching can occur.
Ask a breeder for
- Eye examination and DNA test for primary lens luxation
- BAER hearing test
- Cardiac examination
Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Wire Fox Terrier; American Fox Terrier Club. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.
Cost to own
After the first year, expect roughly $1,000–$2,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).
- Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
History
Wire Fox Terriers developed in 18th-century England as working terriers for fox hunts. They were shown alongside Smooth Fox Terriers until the AKC separated the breeds in 1985.
The breed has won Best in Show at Westminster more times than any other, and a Wire named Asta starred in the “Thin Man” films. Snowy, from “The Adventures of Tintin”, is also a Wire Fox Terrier.
Did you know?
- Wire Fox Terriers have won Westminster Best in Show more than any other breed.
- Snowy, Tintin’s companion, is a Wire Fox Terrier.
- Asta from “The Thin Man” films made the breed hugely popular in the 1930s.
Library guides for Wire Fox Terrier owners
Grooming
Bathing
How to bath a Wire Fox Terrier without drying out the coat.
Training
Come (Recall)
High chase drive makes a reliable recall essential.
Exercise & Play
Fetch
A fast way to meet a high exercise need.
Exercise & Play
Hide and Seek
Brain work that tires busy minds.
Training
Place / Go to Mat
Teaching a settle helps dogs that struggle to switch off.
Grooming
Ear Cleaning
Ear care matters for this coat and ear type.
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
- Wire vs Smooth Fox Terrier?
- They differ mainly in coat; Wires need hand-stripping, Smooths just a brush.
- Are Wire Fox Terriers good family dogs?
- For active families with older children, yes.
- Do Wire Fox Terriers shed?
- Very little.