Introduction To
Owning
A Wire Fox Terrier
from the AFTC Breeders Referral Website & AFTC Handouts
( http://foxterrierbreeders.info )
Characteristics:
Like most terriers, the Wire Fox Terrier and his cousin the Smooth Fox Terrier developed in the British Isles. His name describes his job; he was carried in saddlebags on the hunt and released when the hounds chased the fox to ground, and he courageously followed the fox into den or through underground rocky passages.
The Wire Fox Terrier is known for its handsome and happy appearance. Its size is ideal. Standing about 15 ˝ inches at the shoulders, the Wire is small enough to take anywhere! He is equally at home in the city or country, but does best in a fenced yard or on a lead as he is eager to run off to follow any adventure.
A Wire Fox Terrier coat is predominately white, usually with black and tan markings. The hard wire hair stands up to almost any kind of weather and is virtually non-shedding To maintain the wire texture and brilliant color, the coat must be “plucked” or “stripped” every 6-12 weeks. All Wires being shown are stripped, but pets are often clippered. However, clipping does result in a softer coat with faded coloring. Some pet owners strip out only the colored parts of the coat and clipper the white. Additional information on grooming is available from the American Fox Terrier Club at http://www.aftc.org/
Temperament:
It is the fun-loving temperament of the Wire Fox Terrier that has helped it win the hearts of dog owners worldwide. The Wire should be alert, quick-of-movement, keen of expression, on the tiptoe of expectation at the slightest provocation. However, at the end of the day, he is happy to curl up on a lap and be petted by his owner.
The Wire Fox Terrier is a hardy, little dog with mischief in mind.
He
is friendly and lively without being high-strung. With ears up and tail
quivering, the Wire Fox Terrier gives the impression of a dog ready to go
anywhere and take on any task. He is bold but not aggressive with people.
The Wire Fox Terrier is affectionate with children and enjoys chasing a
ball or romping with youngsters. However, he is a "bouncy" dog and may
be too active for some, especially toddlers.
Although Terriers have a reputation for being stubborn, they can be quite "trainable" if you have patience and a sense of humor. Their natural instinct to hunt makes competing in Earth Dog trials with them fun. Wires do enjoy a challenge and sometimes will surprise you by doing well on the more difficult tasks than they do on the easy ones! While some enjoy agility and obedience, others make wonderful therapy dogs due to their ideal size, their willingness to befriend anyone they meet and a gentleness with those who are sick or fragile.
Finding A Reputable Breeder:
When looking for your Wire Fox Terrier, the first and most important step is to find a reputable breeder. Take your time and do not buy on impulse. Thoroughly research the breed and the breeder. A list of regional Fox Terrier clubs and contacts can be found through the AKC or AFTC websites or there is an extensive list at http://www.netpets.org/dogs/dogclub/breeds/dogwfox_ter.html
Contact the club secretaries for breeder referrals. Those listed as members must agree to abide by a code of ethics and will have high quality, healthy, happy, well-socialized dogs with sound temperaments. The conscientious hobby breeder may advertise very little or not at all. When he does, it is generally through a parent or regional club or other reputable source. Information For Prospective OwnersHe relies on his own good reputation, word of mouth, satisfied, repeat buyers and possibly a website that features pictures and pedigrees of the champion dogs in his breeding program. If you live in his area, he will usually invite you to his home to see both adults and puppies and he will often have a waiting list for them. The reputable breeder will ask many questions of you to ensure that the puppy is a good match for your family. He will also welcome questions from you and will be a source of continuing support for the life of the dog. These websites give more information:
http://www.australianshepherds.org/reput.html
http://showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/k9journal/k9j001.html
Unfortunately,
there are many unscrupulous puppy millers who do advertise aggressively on
Internet puppy lists and may even have attractive websites. It is
important to do your home work. In general, those who show their dogs and are
active in their breed clubs are the ones who will have the kind of dog you will
want in your home and life
The Older Dog
Sometimes a young puppy is too active and mischievous for the dog buyer. An older dog can be a wonderful option. Breeders occasionally have a retired champion or a young adult that they have decided not to show and are willing to sell to a loving family. Many of these dogs are housetrained, past the puppy chewing stage, and walk well on lead. They are usually crate trained and used to traveling and standing for grooming. These Fox Terriers can adjust to a new home quite easily
Picking Your Puppy:
If you are buying a pet, health and good temperament are the main considerations. . No reputable breeder will sell a puppy less than 8 weeks of age and many will hold the puppies even longer. Puppies need to stay with their mothers and littermates through the 8th week to learn important social skills like “bite inhibition.”
When you go to look at the puppies, expect to see animals that are clean, plump, cheerful and playful. Eyes and ears should be clean, free of ticks, fleas and the coat free of red, itchy patches. Stools should be firm and the pups should have a health record provided. Ask to see the adult dogs. The reputable breeder will display his stock with pride. The adult dogs should also be clean, glowing with health, friendly and eager for play and attention.
.
The reputable breeder will want to offer you the puppy that might best fit into
your home and family. Be honest with him when describing your home, family
activity level and the qualities that are most important to you in a dog. His
experience will help him find what you are looking for. If you are buying
a pet, expect your pup to be sold on a spay/neuter contract.
The contract will also spell out what you can expect from the breeder and what he expects of you. The breeder has raised this puppy with careful thought and attention and will only require that you will do your best to give the pup a happy, healthy life.
The breeder will also ask you to take your new pup to your own veterinarian for a complete check up within a day or two of taking him home. While a reputable breeder always hopes the puppy is getting a “forever” home, he should also be willing to take the puppy back if an emergency arises. You will also find him to be a wonderful source of information and support to you for the life time of the dog.
AKC Registration:
AKC
registration is an important asset and is provided by the reputable breeder. It
is not, however, a guarantee of health or quality. Registration only verifies
that a dog’s ancestors were of the same breed and registered purebreds. It
gives you a way to trace your dog’s family tree. Pet shops and puppy mills may
also offer AKC registration, sometimes for an extra fee. They may also offer
alternative registration to organizations which have been created just to
provide “papers” to dogs with no real assurance of its ancestry. Sometimes
those “papers” actually belong to a different dog!
The reputable breeder will provide AKC papers (usually with limited registration for pets to insure they are neutered) and also a pedigree showing many champions in the first four generations.
Buying A Show Potential Puppy:
Unless
you are experienced with showing and know how to prepare a Wire for the show
ring, it will be critically important for you to have a mentor. If your breeder
lives nearby, he will be the logical choice. When choosing a show puppy, look
for a breeder who has had good success in the show ring. He will guide and help
you through the process and will be desirous of your dog’s success, maybe even
more than you as your dog will represent his own breeding stock! Breeders will
give advice on training and trimming and more. There is much good material on
the Internet and through AFTC, but nothing can compare to a good mentor.
Because Wires change greatly as they mature, buying a young pup for show is always a gamble. You may prefer a puppy over six months where the future quality is more evident. Show prospects must be very outgoing and confident. Study the standard carefully. It is posted on the AFTC website and illustrated in many Fox Terrier breed book. Attend as many dog shows as possible to observe the Wires in the ring.
Trimming the Wire Fox Terrier is a complicated process and best learned at the hand of an experienced person. Many refer to the Pearson Products website where diagrams, text and a list of necessary tools are shown.
http://www.strippingknives.com'grooming'groomingtips.htm
Owning A Wire Is A Wonderful Experience:
Welcoming a Wire Fox Terrier into your life will be a joyous, entertaining experience. He will brighten your day and be a loyal, loving companion. It is difficult to be bored or in a "bad mood" when living with a Wire Fox Terrier! We wish you luck with your search and hope you find the Wire that was especially meant for you!
Reference:
The
New Fox Terriers by Harold Nedell
The Complete Fox Terrier by Evelyn Silvernail
Raising A Champion: A Beginner’s Guide To Showing Dogs by A. M. John and C.L. Richards.
The
Virtual Dog Show:
http://www.showdogsupersite.com/actualshow/dogshoh.html