The wire haired fox terrier is one of many terrier breeds and can be traced back over 300 years or more. This is a dog that is easily recognizable even though it does resemble the smooth haired fox terrier though the rough coat is distinctively different. This is a sturdy and very well balanced breed of dog, has a coat that is for the most part a whitish color with brown markings around the face and ears, and a large splotch of brown or near black color that resembles to some a saddle on its back quarters. These dogs can also sport a distinctive bearded look that some have referred to as a goat’s beard.

Probably two of the most significant traits of these dogs are their enormous amounts of energy and intelligence. These dogs can become bored very quickly and require a great deal of attention; they are quite the attention seekers and will let you know with their barking when they are bored and want to play. An abundance of exercise and play will keep this dog happy, and healthy. These dogs were and are bred to be independent and intelligent thinkers, originally making them capable of flushing prey from dens and other hiding places, while today making them one of the easier dogs to train for show and sport. Unfortunately their high level of intelligence and attention requirements makes them a dog that is not suited for everyone. You must be ready and able to give this dog an abundance of exercise and attention.

The well cared for wire haired fox terrier is an alert, quick, and ready to go dog and its friendly and forthcoming demeanor makes it a good dog for families and children, as they will entertain you with their attention seeking antics. These are a dog that can be very loving and exceedingly playful if they receive the proper care and training.

Another reason it is important that these dogs receive training is that they are also one of the most aggressive breeds when it comes to other dogs, and have a tendency to pick fights with other dogs no matter the size. It is a good idea to keep this dog properly leashed and supervised.http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/foxw.htm

The wire fox terrier is a health breed of dog and does not suffer from many health problems as does some breeds. The areas to be concerned and watchful include; eyes for cataracts, epilepsy, hip problems, thyroid and digestive problems. http://www.justdogbreeds.com/wire-fox-terrier.html

Originally this dog was bred as a hunting dog specifically for the fox hunts of England. Predominantly it was bred as a small, quick, and aggressive dog that was trained to "go to ground", meaning to chase small game, specifically foxes from their dens.

Today this breed has become more a dog show competitor, doing tricks and for vying for show awards, than as a hunting dog. The wire haired fox terrier is now primarily a companion dog, deeply admired by their owners for their playfulness and energy. http://www.akc.org/breeds/wire_fox_terrier/