About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 56-64 cm

Height range  : 33-41cm

Weight range : 6-9kg

Coat : rough broken coat|hard wire-like topcoat|predominantly white coat|long guard hairs|minimal shedding

Life expectancy years : 12-15

Colors: white|white with brown markings|white with black and tan markings.

Activitity Level : High

Origin: United Kingdom

Similar Breeds : Smooth Fox Terrier|Jack Russell Terrier|Lakeland Terrier

 

History

Fox terriers can be traced to at least the 1700s in Britain and were bred to find , flush , and chase foxes and rats. The wire-coated and smooth-coated forms were split into separate standards in the late 1800s. Fox hunters historically carried these dogs in saddlebags and released them to chase foxes into dens. The breed later became widely known as a show dog and gained pop-culture fame through Asta in The Thin Man films.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

bold|determined|outgoing|perky|amusing|independent|vocal

Personality

lively|alert|enthusiastic|friendly|confident|intelligent|playful|headstrong

Needs

daily exercise|lifelong training|mental stimulation|secure yard|regular brushing|coat stripping

Social Needs

friendly with family|usually best with older children|should be introduced slowly to dogs and small pets because of prey drive

Grooming 

Brush every other day or regularly with a pin or slicker brush to prevent tangles and snagging. Hand-stripping or plucking the topcoat several times a year or every couple of months helps maintain correct texture. Periodic baths , weekly ear cleaning , and regular nail trims are also recommended.

Nutrition

Feed a balanced AAFCO-compliant diet appropriate for age and activity level. Puppies under four months benefit from four to five small meals daily while adults usually do well on two or three meals. Keep the dog slim and adjust calories for sport or agility work if needed.

 

Breed Standard

small athletic terrier build|short-backed hunter-horse outline|rough broken wire coat|small drop ears|upright tail|predominantly white body with dark facial markings

Did you know?

The breed standard says the Wire Fox Terrier should be on the tip-toe of expectation at the slightest provocation. Asta from The Thin Man films helped make the breed famous.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Primary Lens Luxation, Congenital Megaesophagus, Atopic Dermatitis, Cataracts, Luxating Patella

 

Symptoms

1. Sudden ocular pain
2. Excessive tearing
3. Squinting
4. Red or cloudy eye
5. Rapid vision loss may occur if the lens shifts forward.

1. Regurgitation of undigested food
2. Persistent coughing
3. Poor weight gain
4. Nasal discharge
5. Fever and aspiration pneumonia may occur.

1. Chronic itching
2. Redness around face , paws , axillae and groin
3. Frequent ear infections
4. Face rubbing
5. Dark thickened skin may occur with chronic scratching.

1. Cloudy or bluish-white eye center
2. White spot or streak
3. Bumping into objects
4. Hesitation in dim light
5. Depth perception changes and vision loss may occur.

1. Intermittent skipping gait
2. Sudden hopping on three legs
3. Popping sounds in the knee
4. Stiffness
5. Reluctance to jump or climb may occur.

Onset of symptoms

 

Primary Lens Luxation

It most commonly develops between 3 and 8 years of age and structural eye changes may be evident before full luxation occurs.

Probability Of Onset:

High breed-specific risk is described because terrier breeds are specifically predisposed and Wire Fox Terriers are repeatedly flagged for inherited lens disease.

Atopic Dermatitis

Age of onset is generally between 6 months and 3 years and supplied external text places typical development between 1 and 4 years.

Probability Of Onset:

High breed-specific risk is described because Wire Fox Terriers are listed among predisposed breeds in the supplied dermatology text.

Congenital Megaesophagus

Signs usually become apparent at weaning when puppies start solid food and supplied external text places this around 4 to 8 weeks of age.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate breed-specific risk is described because Wire Haired Fox Terriers are specifically noted as having hereditary megaesophagus.

Cataracts

Juvenile inherited forms may present between 1 and 4 years while other cataracts may appear later in mature or senior dogs.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate to high risk is described because cataracts are specifically listed among common genetic concerns in breed-level health summaries.

Luxating Patella

It is often first noticed between 4 and 12 months of age although mild cases may not be diagnosed until adulthood.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is described because small-breed dogs are predisposed and related fox terrier lines are among the commonly affected small breeds.

Reasons

Primary Lens Luxation       

 Structural support of the lens is lacking because the zonular fibers weaken and break down over time. This inherited weakness is linked to the ADAMTS17 gene in the supplied text. No nutrient deficiency is established as the direct cause. When lens support is lost the lens can shift and trigger glaucoma or inflammation.

 

Atopic Dermatitis:

Skin barrier protection is lacking because epidermal barrier defects allow allergens to penetrate more easily. Immune regulation may also be lacking in balance and exaggerated allergic inflammation can follow. No single missing chemical is established because the supplied text describes a hereditary inflammatory disease. These deficits can increase vulnerability to chronic pruritus and recurrent skin or ear infection.

 

Primary Lens Luxation       

 Structural support of the lens is lacking because the zonular fibers weaken and break down over time. This inherited weakness is linked to the ADAMTS17 gene in the supplied text. No nutrient deficiency is established as the direct cause. When lens support is lost the lens can shift and trigger glaucoma or inflammation.

Atopic Dermatitis:

Skin barrier protection is lacking because epidermal barrier defects allow allergens to penetrate more easily. Immune regulation may also be lacking in balance and exaggerated allergic inflammation can follow. No single missing chemical is established because the supplied text describes a hereditary inflammatory disease. These deficits can increase vulnerability to chronic pruritus and recurrent skin or ear infection.

 

Congenital Megaesophagus

 Normal esophageal motility is lacking because nerve-muscle coordination fails and the esophagus loses tone and effective movement. The supplied text describes loss of motility and dilation rather than a simple nutrient deficiency. Food and water can then pool in the esophagus instead of reaching the stomach efficiently. This can make puppies vulnerable to malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia.

Cataracts

Lens transparency is lacking once the crystalline lens becomes opaque. No specific missing nutrient is established as the usual direct cause in the supplied text because hereditary factors , diabetes , trauma and chronic eye disease are described instead. This loss of clarity blocks light from reaching the retina properly. Vision may progressively decline as the opacity expands.

Luxating Patella

Normal joint alignment is lacking because the kneecap no longer tracks properly in the femoral groove. The supplied text describes abnormal quadriceps alignment and a shallow trochlear groove rather than a nutrient deficiency. This structural instability can lead to intermittent skipping and progressive arthritis. Obesity can worsen severity even though it is not the primary cause.

Normally Treament Methods

Primary Lens Luxation:

  1. Sudden eye changes require prompt veterinary care because anterior lens luxation is a medical emergency. Treatment may include emergency lens removal surgery and topical medications to lower eye pressure or manage secondary glaucoma. Long-term topical medications may still be needed after surgery.

 

Congenital Megaesophagus:

  1. Management may focus on preventing regurgitation and getting food into the stomach safely. Upright feeding with a Bailey chair , individualized food consistency , feeding management and rapid treatment of aspiration pneumonia may be needed and some dogs may require a stomach tube.

 

Atopic Dermatitis

  1. Management may involve allergen avoidance when possible , medicated baths , topical therapies , treatment of secondary infections , antipruritic medication and allergen-specific immunotherapy. Long-term monitoring is usually needed and ASIT is not useful for acute flares.

 

Cataracts:

  1. Early cases may only need monitoring while vision-limiting disease may require referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist. Surgical lens removal is often the effective treatment in suitable candidates and if surgery is not an option then managing lens-related complications such as glaucoma may be necessary.

 

Luxating Patella:

  1. Mild cases may be managed with anti-inflammatory medication , weight control , temporary exercise restriction and joint support. Severe or painful cases may require surgery such as tibial tuberosity transposition or trochlear groove deepening with an extended recovery period. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Primary Lens Luxation :

  • 1. Lutein can,might be helpful for general eye tissue support.
    2. Zeaxanthin can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    3. Astaxanthin can,might be helpful for oxidative stress support.
    4. Vitamin C can,might be helpful for eye tissue antioxidant support.
    5. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
recommend product

Congenital Megaesophagus

  • 1. Digestive enzymes can,might be helpful for nutrient handling support.
    2. Liquid multivitamin support can,might be helpful when nutrition is difficult to maintain.
    3. Probiotics can,might be helpful for gastrointestinal flora support.
recommend product

Atopic Dermatitis

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for skin barrier support.
    2. Omega-6 fatty acids can,might be helpful for epidermal support.
    3. Quercetin can,might be helpful for balancing inflammatory responses.
    4. Probiotics can,might be helpful for immune balance support.
recommend product

Cataracts

  • 1. Lutein can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    2. Zeaxanthin can,might be helpful for combating oxidative stress in ocular tissues.
    3. Astaxanthin can,might be helpful for antioxidant support.
    4. Vitamin C can,might be helpful for eye tissue support.
    5. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
recommend product

Luxating Patella

  • 1. Glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for cartilage support.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for joint support.
    3. MSM can,might be helpful for joint comfort support.
    4. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA,DHA can,might be helpful for joint inflammation support.
recommend product
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