| Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which | | | | years. |
| were first used for hunting of some sort and so | | | | Then, in the early 1900»s, the attraction to |
| came up as aggressive and lively), the Wire Fox | | | | both varieties/breeds took on a very different |
| Terrier has a reputation for scampishness. That is, | | | | bent: the Smooth Fox Terrier was discovered by |
| the breed with the challenging personality that has | | | | the general American public»in the |
| been identified throughout its history as being as | | | | 1920»s»on the logo for a recording |
| foxy as the fox it was once used to hunt. | | | | company label, pictured listening to «his |
| Though beginning in the 15th century, it was the | | | | master»s voice.» But the Wire Fox |
| smooth-haired Fox Terrier was favored by the | | | | Terrier was spotted»in 1934»playing |
| British to go to ground for small game animals, | | | | the role of Asta, Nick and Nora»s impish |
| the sibling Wire Fox Terrier was right on its heels. | | | | pet in the Thin Man, and the Wire Fox Terrier |
| By the 18th century»when the English | | | | personality (and reputation) was born. |
| made fox hunting the ideal sport, the hunt | | | | The Wire Fox Terrier is still today lively, playful, |
| masters (the one assigned to kill the fox) chose | | | | and a little foxy. Full of peppery spunk and on the |
| terriers to be by their sides, though were | | | | hunt for play at all times may, as some have |
| dismayed that the terrier»s legs were too | | | | decided, suggest a challenging |
| short to keep up with the foxhounds. This | | | | (ahem»obstinate) way, but given its |
| generated a great number of hunt kennels, where | | | | alertness, this also means the Wire Fox is a great |
| the smooth-haired Fox Terrier was bred, | | | | watchdog and even better pet for kids. |
| developed, and improved upon to meet the hunt | | | | In fact, the Wire Fox Terrier needs activity. So |
| masters» needs and standards and | | | | daily exercise and a small bit of space to romp |
| where»by the mid-18th century»the | | | | are ideal elements in the Fox environment. Also |
| Wire Fox Terrier became an improvement on the | | | | ideal is an occasional bath for the wiry, broken |
| smooth. | | | | haired coat and frequent brushing to prevent |
| A cross between the smooth Fox and the | | | | what little hair might mat--from the shedding that |
| rough-haired Black and Tan Terrier, the Wire Fox | | | | does occur. |
| Terrier was now brought to the hunt, too, to be | | | | The rest of the needs of the Wire Fox Terrier |
| used in the hunt for fox routing. With a muscular, | | | | with staying powers that outlast the best fox and |
| low-to-the-ground and compact body, the Wire | | | | with the hardy and cocksure personality are |
| Fox was an energetic and game breed (by now | | | | simple if you are up to it»if you are up to |
| acknowledged as a separate breed, that is) that | | | | the antics of a terrier breed that are always a |
| continued as the ideal foxer for another hundred | | | | surprise. Even to the Master. |