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Wire Fox Beagle |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Wire Fox Beagle |
| The Wire Fox Beagle may be a relatively new breed concept, but its history can be traced back to two small, highly refined English hunters: the Wire Fox Terrier and the Beagle. With a maximum height of around 38 centimeters, Wire Fox Beagles make up for their lack of size with energy, as they are exceptionally playful, interactive and lively, making them ideal pets for active owners. Because of their size, they fit into most homes, including apartments, but because of their activity level and eagerness to hunt, they need plenty of attention and exercise to avoid becoming noisy, restless or frustrated. Their intelligence and loyalty make them easy to train, and they are generally known to be good family dogs, even with children, which also helps to satisfy their desire for a pack-type environment, common to their Beagle lineage. Although the two related breeds are more often known as pets in recent times, the Wire Fox Beagle remains a highly effective service dog, used for a wide variety of activities, including therapy and game hunting, thanks to its easy temperament and excellent nose. |
History of the Wire Fox Beagle |
| The Wire Fox Beagle is a somewhat new hybrid breed, but both the Wire Fox Terrier and the Beagle have a rich English heritage. |
A little of the Wire Fox Terrier |
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| The Wire Fox Terrier was similarly regarded by English royalty in its early years and is thought to be descended from black-and-tan Terriers, a wire-haired breed that has since disappeared. Wire Fox Terriers gained in popularity in the early and mid-20th century, when a few became main characters on TV, in movies and even in comics, like Snowy in The Adventures of Tintin. As the need and desire for hunting dogs diminished over time, the breed went through a bit of a lull and eventually became a little rarer, but is still held in high esteem in the upper echelon of the dog show circuit, currently holding the most Best in Show titles of any dog breed. | ||
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| Standard of the Wire Fox Terrier |
A little of the Beagle |
| While the history of the Beagle goes back as far as the Romans, the current version we know is largely linked to English royalty in the 1800s, who bred the North Country Beagle with Southern and Talbot Hounds. Over time, the Beagle's distinctive characteristics emerged, giving rise to a dog with a strong character, excellent hunting skills and a deep hound-like yelp that could be heard at great distances. Although the Beagle's focus shifted to hunting in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it became a well-known companion because of its cheerful nature and ease of training. |
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| Standard of the Beagle |
Appearance of the Wire Fox Beagle |
| The Wire Fox Beagle is a small breed, generally measuring around 38 centimeters and weighing just over 9 kilos, with length and musculature evenly distributed across the chest and limbs. Given the coloration of its parent breeds, the Wire Fox Beagle is most often a combination of white, red, brown and black. Its coat is of medium length, with a short, distinct coat over an elongated muzzle, small folded ears, powerful posture and a studied tail that is more often erect than pendulous. Its eyes can be brown or amber, and always display an air of ardor and charm. |
Temperament of the Wire Fox Beagle |
| Given enough attention and exercise, Wire Fox Beagles are exceptionally well-behaved dogs, perfectly suited to family life and a high level of socialization. They are generally easy-going and obedient, but because of their curiosity and hunting instincts, they are prone to wandering off following their noses and behaving mischievously, so thorough training is highly recommended. Because of their energy levels and intelligence, Wire Fox Beagles need regular exercise and games that stimulate them mentally, which will also help prevent any potentially problematic behavior. Overall, they make exceptional companions, affectionate, intelligent and even comical, even if they do tend to be a little noisy. |
Needs and activities of the Wire Fox Beagle |
| The Wire Fox Beagle is a medium-to-high-energy breed that generally requires around 60 minutes of daily exercise, which, due to its small size, is relatively easy to maintain, even in smaller living spaces. Although its hunting instincts are often difficult to break, they can easily be appealed to by playing ball, hide-and-seek and treasure hunting, all of which stimulate the body and mind. Regular training and exercise are important, as this breed's combination of intelligence, energy and curiosity can lead to misbehavior if left unchecked. |
Maintenance of the Wire Fox Beagle |
| Wire Fox Beagles are generally easy to care for, as their Beagle and Wire Fox Terrier ancestry means they fall somewhere between light and medium shedding. If they have a coat closer to that of the wire-haired Fox Terrier, i.e. longer and harder, they need to be plucked several times a year for their health and comfort. Baths are only necessary on occasion, as this breed has a low level of odor and is generally quite clean. Like many other hunting breeds, frequent nail trimming is necessary to prevent splitting or breaking, especially as this is a very energetic dog that needs plenty of play and exercise to stay happy and healthy. |
English (United Kingdom)