Terriers Dog Group - Fox Terrier

The Smooth Fox Terrier started life as a stable dog, its job being to hunt vermin. It probably descends from terriers in the English counties of Cheshire and Shropshire, with some Beagle blood added. The Wire, which is a great rabbiter, originated in the coal-mining areas of Durham and Derbyshire in England, and in Wales. As their names imply, they will also pursue foxes. For many years, the Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers were bred together, regardless of coat. All the great Wires resulted from the mating of a Smooth Fox Terrier called Jock with a bitch of unknown antecedents, but definitely wire-haired, called Trap. The Smooth was given its own register in 1876, three years after the British Kennel Club was founded, but the conformation of the two breeds remains the same. The Wire is more popular than its smooth-coated relative, which is rarely seen outside the show ring.

Coat: Smooth Straight, flat, and smooth. Wire Dense and very wiry.

Color: Smooth All white; white with tan or black markings white should predominate; brindic, red, or liver markings highly undesirable. Wire White should predominate with black or tan markings; brindic, red, liver, or slate-blue markings undesirable.

Features: Smooth Flat, moderately narrow skull; dark, small eyes, rather deep set; small, V-shape cars dropping forward close to check; chest deep, not broad; tail customarily docked. Wire Top line of skull almost flat; dark, bright eyes; small V-shape cars of moderate thickness; short, strong, level back; tail customarily docked.

Size: Maximum height at withers: dogs 15½ in, bitches slightly less. Weight: 15½-17½ lb.

Care: The Smooth needs daily grooming with a stiff brush, and trimming and chalking before a show. The Wire needs to be hand-stripped three times a year, and to be groomed regularly.

Character: Affectionate and trainable, and an ideal small child's companion.