Instructions
Look at the general appearance of the wire fox terrier. It is not a leggy breed, nor are the legs too short. While well-boned and strong, it is not coarse. Males should not be more than 15 ½ inches at the shoulders and females are a bit lower, about 14 ½ inches at the shoulders. Males weigh about 18 pounds and females weigh about 16 pounds.
Make sure the head is proportionate with the rest of the body. It should be 7 to 7 ¼ inches from the nostrils to the back of the occipital bone. Females have a bit shorter head. The dark, round eyes are moderately small and set rather deeply in the skull. They give a firey and intelligent expression. The small ears are v-shaped and have some thickness to the leather. The flaps fold over and lay near the cheeks. The black nose is fully pigmented.
Check that the neck and body are proportionate with the rest of the dog. The clean neck is muscular and has a decent length to it. It is not throaty and is nicely arched into well angulated shoulders. The deep chest is not very broad, but at the same time not too narrow. The front legs are straight and lead to rounded, compact feet protected by tough, thick pads. The strong hindquarters are muscular and sport long, powerful thighs. The rear feet are also compact and protected by tough, thick pads. The tail is set up on the rump, and is usually carried up in the air, but it does not curl. The last quarter of the tail is docked.
Pet the wiry coat. It appears to be broken because the hairs twist. They grow so close together, it is difficult to see the skin when parted. There is somewhat of an undercoat; a shorter coat of finer hair that is rather soft at the base of the wiry coat. The coat shojuld be about 3/4- to 1-inch long. The coat should be mostly white and the markings can be any color.
How to Identify a Wire Fox Terrier
The wire fox terrier is a powerful breed that is alert and quick. It is a playful breed and gets along well with children, making it a great family companion. Since it is a terrier, it needs a job and plenty of exercise, or else it may become destructive. It may also become destructive if left alone for long periods of time. Because it is a hunting breed, it is not safe around other small animals, such as cats or hamsters.