It all started in 1992 when we bought our first wire - a pet.  A couple of months later we attended our very first dog show.  We were in awe of how beautiful the wires looked all groomed to perfection.  The excitement of the show hooked us.  We began preparing our little pet for the show ring.  I learned to groom and Mike took handling classes.   Our little Tasha was in her first show in January of 1993 and got her one and only point EIGHT months later.  We then decided if we really wanted to do this we needed a SHOW dog.  We purchased RedOak's Commotion - Rocky and began our show career.  Rocky was our first Champion and the start to a "rock" solid breeding program.  We now have several champions to our credit attending only a couple of shows a month.  Several of the champions were home bred and more on the way.  And of course our finest home bred "Elvis"  Best of Breed Westminster 1998. One of our goals was to breed 15 champions to add our name to the Central States Hall of Fame, which we accomplished in 2005.   View Our Kennel.
    We belong to the Wire Fox Terrier Club of the Central States and the American Fox Terrier Club, Greater St Louis Fox Terrier Club, and the Great Lakes Terrier Association.
 

ABOUT WIRE FOX TERRIERS

The wire fox terrier is an active, intelligent, people dog.  A good description:  20lbs of personality.  I tell people that they have a zest for life.  It is said that they are born with twice as much original sin as most other dogs.  They require a fenced yard to run in, and or at least a daily walk, time with their people and regular grooming. (see below) They do exceptionally well in a family setting, but may be too much for small children. The are not a yappy dog, but will bark at anyone passing your home.  My favorite description of a wire: "The wire fox terrier is the telegraph line of dogdom and can be heard by all that care to listen.  He is a sly, cunning fellow who can outfox almost anyone who will participate in his silly games.  His life is an open book, and he cares not who reads it.  He can be as active as a tornado, and as still as a volcano.  He can run circles around almost anything afoot, and stops moving only in death.  He is a friend to all, a playmate to some, but a slave to no one."  Tommy Yates - Mystwyre - breeder judge.

Adult wires are in the 15 to 20 pound range, with a height of about 15-16" at the shoulders. They are a healthy breed.  Some have a problem with itchy skin, which going back to coat
stripping may improve.  Life span usually between 12-15 years.  The average price for a well bred pet wire is $600 - $1000, depending on the part of the country.  A show prospect is considerably more.  Be sure to ask breeders plenty of questions!  Ask about health problems and temperament in their line.  How often they breed a litter and what is their goal.  Ask about guarantees.
 

I don't think there is another breed that changes as much as
a wire does when you go from hand stripping to clipping.
They do not shed but require clipping or hand stripping 4-5 times per year.

If clippered they will lose their intense coloring.   The tans will be a creamy color and the black will turn to gray and the wirey coat will become soft and curly

Pictured below is Ch Sqwire's MoonShadow

	STRIPPED A stripped wire has a hard wirey coat with very intense color.  Easier to keep clean also.
	FUZZY This is the same female as above.  She had been clipped a few times and her coat has grown out. Now she is soft, curly, and cute!
	CLIPPED A clipped coat will loose the crisp wire and in time will become quite soft, and gray and creamy in color.  This the same day as above picture, after a fresh clipping.