Wire Foxingese -- Wire Fox Terrier X Pekingese

		Wire Foxingese
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			China <> Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Wire Foxingese

The Wire Foxingese is a designer dog that is a combination of the Wire Fox Terrier and the Pekingese. It's a very small dog that fits perfectly into a family, wherever you live. However, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on them when they're around children, and to socialize them well when they're puppies. Between the harsh coat of the Terrier and the soft, silky coat of the Pekingese, your Wire Foxingese will probably have a medium to long wavy or harsh coat that needs regular grooming. Although fairly easy to train, you'll need to ensure firm consistency and plenty of exercise time.

History of the Wire Foxingese

Although the Wire Foxingese has been around for some twenty years, it still doesn't have enough history. So you need to look at the history of the Pekingese and Wire Fox Terrier to learn about their characteristics.

	A little of the Pekingese
	The Pekingese is a pampered dog native to China that first appeared in the Tang dynasty, around 750 A.D. It was created in Beijing, China, to serve as a lapdog for the royal family. The story goes that they are descended from a marmoset monkey who fell in love with a lion. Many call them lion-dogs because they resemble the lions that guarded Chinese courts. Statues of these lions still stand all over China, and you can see the resemblance to the Pekingese. These dogs were treated like royalty, had their own servants and the punishment for stealing one was death. In the past, when a member of the royal family died, his dog was put to sleep and buried with him, so that he could accompany his master into the afterlife. Fortunately, this tradition came to an end before the breed became extinct. Several of these dogs were confiscated during the invasion of the Chinese palace, and one was presented to Queen Victoria. They became popular with the ladies of the royal family and were even nicknamed sleeved Pekingese because they were worn in the ladies' large flowing sleeves. The Pekingese was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1906, where it is the 93rd most popular dog in America.

	Standard of the Pekingese
	A little of the Wire Fox Terrier
	In England, the Wire Fox Terrier is a descendant of the black and tan Rough-Coated Terrier, combined with other Shropshire and Cheshire Terriers in the 1800s for hunting purposes. They were highly prized for foxhunting and hunting rats, mice and other vermin. They were owned by many royal hunters, including Edward VII, who owned a wire-haired Fox Terrier named Caesar. In fact, when Edward died in the early 1900s, his beloved pet walked right next to the coffin. The American Kennel Club recognized this wonderful breed in 1885 and it is the 101st most common dog breed in America.

	Standard of the Wire Fox Terrier

Appearance of the Wire Foxingese

Your Wire Foxingese should remain small, weighing between 4.5 and 9 kilos maximum as an adult, and measuring less than 30.5 centimeters. Its coat can be hard or wavy, but is likely to be a combination of several colors: golden, piebald, spotted, sandy, tan, liver, chocolate, white, brindle, merle, black, red, blue, gray or spotted. They have short legs with small round feet, a curved, feathered tail, a round head, floppy ears, a short muzzle with a brown or black nose, and a small mouth with an underbite. Its round eyes are brown and full of curiosity, yet constantly alert.

Temperament of the Wire Foxingese

This breed is very friendly and cuddly with its family, but can have a certain attitude with strangers. It's important to socialize them from an early age so they know how to get along with other dogs. They also need to be trained correctly and regularly to avoid small dog syndrome and other behavioral problems. Housetraining your Wire Foxingese may require more patience than usual, as he's very independent and stubborn, so you need to be firm but not aggressive. Some owners end up using puppy pads or obedience classes to ease the learning process.

Needs and activities of the Wire Foxingese

The Wire Fox Terrier is a high-energy dog, while the Pekingese has a moderate energy level. You'll need to give it about an hour's exercise a day. This breed is prone to weight gain and health problems if it doesn't get enough exercise. They may also have behavioral problems due to boredom or anxiety. They need quality one-on-one time with you every day to stay mentally and physically healthy. Even if your dog is small and can do most of his exercise indoors, he needs to go outside at least once a day. Taking him for a walk or to the dog park every day is a great way to exercise him and keep him well socialized.

Maintenance of the Wire Foxingese

The care of your Wire Foxingese depends on the thickness and texture of your dog's coat. As the Pekingese has a very thick, silky coat and the Wire Fox Terrier has a harsh coat, these two breeds can combine to form a nightmare of tangles if not groomed regularly. You should invest in a high-quality detangling tool as well as a good pin brush and comb. Most owners also prefer to use a detangling spray and conditioner to loosen knots. Never pull on the hair with a brush or comb when it's tangled. It's best to loosen knots with your fingers before brushing. You can also trim his nails and clean his ears and teeth once a week or as needed.