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SmallTerrier Group

Wire Fox Terrier

The Wire Fox Terrier is the wire-coated AKC sibling of the Smooth Fox Terrier, both originally one breed split by AKC in 1985.

Calculate Wire Fox Terrier age
Lifespan13.5 yrrange 13–14
SizeSmallTerrier Group
Weight15–18 lb6.8–8.2 kg
Senior at8 yrgeriatric at 12

Gallery (3)

About

About the Wire Fox Terrier

The Wire Fox Terrier is the wire-coated AKC sibling of the Smooth Fox Terrier, both originally one breed split by AKC in 1985. The breed has won Westminster Best in Show 14 times — more than any other breed.

Aging

How Wire Fox Terriers age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 13.5 years (n=1,934). Cataracts and idiopathic epilepsy are the defining OFA-tracked late-life concerns; congenital deafness and lens luxation are inherited eye issues shared with the Smooth Fox Terrier.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13.5 yr · range 13–14Senior careSenior at 8 · geriatric at 12Common health issues4 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
15–18 lb(6.8–8.2 kg)
Height
0–0 in(0–0 cm)
Coat type
Wire
Colors
WhiteWhite & BlackWhite & TanWhite Black & TanWhite Tan & Black
Temperament

Temperament

How Wire Fox Terriers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

confidentalertgregariousspirited
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • High prevalencetypical onset ~8 yr

    Degenerative Myelopathy

    Description and veterinary guidance for Degenerative Myelopathy land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr

    Patellar Luxation

    Description and veterinary guidance for Patellar Luxation land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
60min
per day

About 60 minutes of activity per day keeps a Wire Fox Terrier physically and mentally satisfied. Split it between a structured walk and free play.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.