Although the Wire Fox Terrier and Smooth Fox Terrier are considered as "cousins", dog experts claim they are not related at all. They do resemble each other, however, and have many similarities.
The short docked tail had a good purpose for the hunters years ago. If the dog didn't want to come out of a hole after they preyed on vermin, the hunter would pull the dog out by their tail. The dog came to expect this and didn't object as many dogs do to having their tails pulled.
When the Wire Fox Terrier is brushed regularly, such as weekly, they will not have a doggy odor as so many other breeds do.
Instead of their tails wagging, the Wire Fox Terrier's tail quivers. The happier he is, the more it quivers.
Although the Wire Fox Terrier is known as a fearless dog that will stand up to any dog regardless of size and not back down, one owner tells a story of how her Wire Fox Terrier hid behind a chair all afternoon hiding from a fly!
The Wire Fox Terrier is an excellent watchdog and will bark at anything and everything that happens to go past their home. They are constantly alerting their owners of some new sound. Yet, when they are sleeping, they can sleep through the sound of a bomb! Even though they make excellent watchdogs, they will not make a guard dog because they are too gentle. If anything, they will lick the person to death.
Unlike many other dogs, the Wire Fox Terrier will not shed twice a year and is considered a clean and hypoallergenic dog.
The Wire Fox Terrier may not be deliberately trained as such, but makes an excellent therapy dog. Many owners claim their terrier has been helpful, therapeutic, and intuitive in helping sick and elderly relatives in times of need.
The Wire Fox Terrier has a habit of chewing on their feet. Although there may be different reasons such as something stuck in their feet, their biggest reason is usually boredom.
There are dog groomers in the world for the Wire Fox Terrier that are not just dog groomers, but specialize in the art of stripping, a method very important in the grooming of this dog.
The Wire Fox Terrier has made quite a splash for themselves in the land of television and movies. "George" from Bringing up Baby was a Wire Fox Terrier as was "Bunny" from Hudson Hawk.
The WWF wrestler Ken Anderson owns a Wire Fox Terrier named Austin.
Even though the Wire Fox Trotter has been around since the 1800s, they did not gain popularity as a family pet until the 1930s; in spite of the fact that Queen Victoria had one as her pet.
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