Wire Fox Terrier: 14 Westminster Best in Show wins and the original Asterix dog

February 12, 2019, Madison Square Garden, New York. A Wire Fox Terrier named King (registered as GCH CH Kingarthur Van Foliny Home) wins Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the most prestigious conformation event in the United States. It is the 14th time the breed has taken that title in the show's history. No other breed has won Westminster Best in Show as many times. The first win came in 1907 with a dog named Warren Remedy, who repeated in 1908 and 1909, a three-peat no other dog has matched. The breed's visual fame runs well beyond the ring, though. Asta, the scene-stealing terrier of the Thin Man film series (1934-1947), was a Wire Fox Terrier. Idefix (Dogmatix in English), Obelix's small white-and-spotted companion in the Asterix comics, was drawn by cartoonist Albert Uderzo directly from the Wire Fox Terrier, which was hugely popular in 1960s France when the character debuted in Asterix and the Banquet (1965). Tintin's dog Snowy is a Fox Terrier too, though the smooth-coated variety. That visibility, decades of it across film, comics, and advertising, drove demand, multiplied breeding, and nearly wrecked the breed. Commercial breeders prioritized looks over health, registries inflated, and hereditary problems that had been rare started showing up. The Wire Fox Terrier has since recovered a more responsible breeding baseline through specialty clubs, but it still carries an uncomfortable dual reputation: the elegant show dog, and the terrier that overwhelms an underprepared owner.

What the breed looks like

Small, square, athletic, with clean lines and an upright stance. Height runs 14 to 15.5 inches (35-39 cm) at the shoulder, with a maximum around 15.5 in, and weight of 15-19 lb (7-9 kg). The silhouette is nearly square: a long, slim neck widening into the shoulders, a deep chest, a short firm back, muscular hindquarters. The AKC places it in the Terrier Group; the FCI registers it under Standard No. 169, Group 3 (Terriers), Section 1 (large and medium terriers). It shares group and section with its sister breed, the Smooth Fox Terrier, now treated as a separate breed despite the shared origin.

The head is long and flat with a slight stop and a strong muzzle. The eyes are small, dark, and deep-set, with a lively, intelligent expression. The ears are small and V-shaped, folded forward with the crease above skull level. The tail is carried high; it was traditionally docked, a practice now restricted or banned in much of the world and increasingly avoided by US breeders following AKC welfare trends, though docking remains legal in the US.

The coat is the breed's technical signature and the source of its name: double, with a harsh, dense, wiry outer coat (hence Wire) and a soft undercoat. The texture should be firm enough that running a hand along the body feels like brushing a bristle brush. Outer coat length is roughly 0.75 to 1.25 inches. Accepted colors: white as the dominant color, with black or tan markings on the head, ears, and a saddle-shaped patch on the body. Other scattered black or tan markings are acceptable. An all-white coat with no markings is undesirable.

What the temperament is like

Bold, cheerful, lively, fearless, intelligent. The Wire Fox Terrier is the archetypal British terrier: explosive energy, courage out of proportion to its size, independent decision-making, and a very strong hunting drive. The standard describes it as alert, quick on its feet, energetic in expression, and always on the ready.

With its family the breed is affectionate, bonded, and playful. It forms a deep attachment and wants to be near its people. It handles extended solitude poorly and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long stretches. It is one of the more attention-hungry terriers.

With strangers it is initially curious and watchful without escalating to confrontation. It makes a good alarm dog with a firm bark. Its barking threshold is relatively low, which becomes a real problem in an apartment with close neighbors when the dog is under-exercised.

With other dogs, early socialization pays off. Like many terriers, it can be combative with same-sex dogs, especially intact males. With opposite-sex dogs and good socialization it usually coexists fine. Around small animals (rodents, rabbits, hamsters, caged birds) the prey drive fires intensely, a direct inheritance from its fox and badger hunting past. This breed was developed to kill, not just chase. That instinct does not fully train out. A stable household cat relationship is achievable if a Fox Terrier puppy is raised alongside the cat.

Trainability is moderate. The dog is smart and motivated by food and play, but independent and stubborn. It picks up basic cues quickly while testing the handler the whole way. Long sessions breed boredom; short, varied sessions work far better.

One trait owners and trainers report consistently: a strong tendency to chase cars, bikes, and other moving vehicles. Combined with a no-retreat boldness (the FCI standard notes the breed should fear a cow or a bus no more than it fears small quarry), this is a frequent cause of accidents and of dogs being rehomed. It is one of the critical training priorities.

The real health concerns

Condition	Screening
Primary lens luxation (PLL)	DNA test, ophthalmic exam
Hereditary cataracts	Annual ophthalmic exam
Patellar luxation	Orthopedic exam, palpation
Idiopathic epilepsy	Neurological exam, EEG
Congenital deafness	BAER hearing test
Hip dysplasia (occasional)	OFA radiograph

Primary lens luxation (PLL) is the best-documented hereditary eye condition in the breed, with meaningful prevalence before the DNA test existed. A specific test for the ADAMTS17 mutation has been available since 2010, letting responsible breeders plan crosses and avoid pairing two carriers. In untested lines the risk is real.

Hereditary cataracts appear with some regularity. An annual ophthalmic exam from around age 4 is sensible.

Idiopathic epilepsy typically presents between 1 and 5 years of age. It is usually managed with medication (phenobarbital, potassium bromide) and lifestyle adjustments.

Congenital deafness is associated with predominantly white-coated dogs (linked to the piebald gene). Because the breed carries a dominant white coat, prevalence justifies a BAER hearing test on puppies before they go home.

Hip dysplasia shows up occasionally. An OFA radiograph before breeding is standard protocol for responsible breeders.

Documented average lifespan runs 13 to 15 years. This is a relatively long-lived breed when kept at a healthy weight and protected from the accidents tied to its hunting drive.

What grooming involves

The harsh coat demands terrier-specific technique:

• Brushing three times a week with a firm bristle brush, plus a metal comb for the beard, eyebrows, legs, and underside.
• Hand-stripping every 8 to 12 weeks to maintain the wiry texture and rich color. Without stripping the coat softens, loses its signature texture, and the color contrast dulls.
• Cosmetic trimming around ears, eyes, feet, and underside every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the classic show outline.
• Bath every 2 to 3 months or as needed, with a shampoo formulated for wiry coats.
• Weekly ear cleaning.
• Monthly nail trim.

Professional hand-stripping plus full cosmetic grooming in the US runs about $75 to $150 per session. For show dogs the cost climbs (often $150 to $300 per show session).

Many pet owners use clippers for speed and convenience, but clipping destroys the coat texture, softens the jacket, and mutes the colors. For a pet not headed to the ring this is an acceptable trade-off, though the characteristic look is lost.

Shedding is very low with regular stripping, nearly absent. That makes the breed a reasonable option for people with mild allergies.

How much exercise it needs

A minimum of 60 to 90 minutes a day of varied physical activity plus mental work. The breed has a very low boredom threshold and needs sustained daily output. Long walks, running, fetch, scent games, agility, earthdog, flyball.

Without that load, the most-reported problem behaviors show up:

• Excessive barking (a leading complaint in apartments).
• Yard digging (intense, capable of wrecking a flower bed in minutes).
• Chasing cars, cyclists, and runners.
• Destructive chewing indoors.
• Yard escapes (able to clear a 4-foot fence and dig under it).
• Going after small animals (outdoor cats, chickens, rabbits).

Most enjoy water and many are strong swimmers. The breed tolerates cold well and handles moderate heat. In hot summer climates, shift activity to cooler hours.

What training looks like

Positive reinforcement, short sessions (10 to 15 minutes), kept varied. The breed learns fast but looks for loopholes the moment it senses inconsistency. Punitive methods damage the bond and increase stubbornness.

Early socialization between 8 and 16 weeks is decisive, especially around other dogs, children, small animals, vehicles, and urban settings. Without that foundation, reactivity problems emerge that are very hard to reverse in an adult dog.

Recall (the "come" cue) has to be trained intensively from puppyhood and maintained for life. The hunting drive is so strong that many Wire Fox Terriers should never be off-leash in unfenced areas.

Vehicle-chasing work (not chasing cars, bikes, motorcycles) deserves specific, consistent attention from puppyhood. It is the single biggest cause of accidents in the breed.

This is a strong fit for competitive dog sports: agility (where its speed stands out), earthdog (where it shines naturally), flyball, and rally obedience.

Living with the breed

Excellent with active families, sports-minded owners, and homes with a well-fenced yard. It is patient with the household's children, playful, and bonded. With very young kids supervise the rough, fast play, not because of bad intent but because of terrier speed. With rough-handling children there can be a defensive nip, again a reflex of the breed's quickness rather than aggression.

In multi-dog homes, evaluate case by case, ideally pairing opposite sexes. It is a poor match for households with rodents, hamsters, rats, rabbits, chickens, or caged birds. Coexistence with a household cat is possible if the Fox Terrier puppy grows up with the cat.

Suited to a house with a well-fenced yard (watch the jumping and the digging under fence lines). Workable in an apartment if the owner commits to long daily walks; the high energy and barking tendency make it less ideal for a thin-walled unit with close neighbors.

Cost in the US

A well-bred Wire Fox Terrier from health-tested parents (PLL DNA, ophthalmic exam, BAER hearing test, patella and hip evaluation) costs roughly $1,500 to $3,500 in 2026 from a reputable breeder. Specialty show lines run higher. Waiting lists of 6 to 18 months are common, since active breeders are relatively few.

Backyard breeders and pet-store pipelines sell for less but frequently produce dogs with untested eyes, deafness, or anxiety and reactivity problems.

Annual costs

Item	Annual cost
Quality food	$400-700
Routine veterinary care	$400-800
Professional grooming (hand-stripping)	$400-900
Pet insurance	$400-800
Training and dog sports	$300-1,200
Accessories and supplies	$150-400
Total	$2,050-4,800

The grooming line is the breed-specific surprise for new owners: hand-stripping is a skilled, recurring expense that a smooth-coated dog never incurs.

Adoption and rescue

The Wire Fox Terrier turns up in US shelters and breed rescue occasionally, often surrendered by owners overwhelmed by its energy or after incidents tied to its vehicle-chasing. The American Fox Terrier Club (founded in 1885, the oldest specialty terrier club in the United States) and regional terrier rescue networks help place dogs that need new homes. Adoption is a realistic route for owners who want the breed without a breeder waiting list, though availability is unpredictable.

Registrations have declined from the breed's mid-20th-century peak, when it was one of the most popular dogs in the world, but its sustained historical popularity has kept it off vulnerable-breed watch lists.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference from the Smooth Fox Terrier? The visible difference is the coat: the Wire has a harsh, wiry texture, while the Smooth has short, soft hair lying flat against the body. In temperament, build, and character the two are very similar, though the AKC and FCI recognize them as separate breeds. Some breed historians believe they developed along separate lines from the late 19th century.

Is it aggressive? With people, no. With same-sex dogs and small animals it can be, driven by hunting instinct. It needs early socialization and conscious management.

Is it really the Asterix dog? Yes. Idefix (Dogmatix in English) was drawn from the Wire Fox Terrier, hugely popular in 1960s France when the character debuted in Asterix and the Banquet (1965).

Does it shed much? No. With regular stripping, shedding is nearly nonexistent, which makes it a reasonable option for mild allergy sufferers.

Is it good for apartments? Possible, but it demands real commitment: long daily walks, barking management, and patient neighbors. A house with a well-fenced yard is preferable.

Breed snapshot

Block	Item	Value
Identification	Canonical name	Fox Terrier (Wire)
	Other names	Wire Fox Terrier, Wirehaired Fox Terrier
	Country of origin	United Kingdom (England)
	AKC group	Terrier Group
	FCI standard	No. 169
	FCI group / section	3 (Terriers) / 1 (large and medium terriers)
	Westminster Best in Show	14 wins (all-time breed record, 1907-2019)
Physical	Weight	15-19 lb (7-9 kg)
	Height	14-15.5 in (35-39 cm)
	Coat	Double, harsh wiry outer, soft undercoat
	Predominant color	White with black and/or tan markings
Health	Average lifespan	13-15 years
	Key conditions	PLL, cataracts, epilepsy, congenital deafness, patellar luxation
	Pre-breeding tests	PLL DNA, ophthalmic, BAER hearing, patella, hip
Temperament	Energy	High
	Trainability	Moderate
	Barking level	High (needs management)
	Good with children	Yes
	Good with same-sex dogs	Poor
	Good with small animals	Poor (prey drive)
	Vehicle-chasing	Strong tendency (needs specific training)
Lifestyle	Daily exercise	60-90 minutes minimum
	Apartment-friendly	Yes, with long walks and barking management
	Heat tolerance	Moderate
	Cold tolerance	High
	Professional stripping	Every 8-12 weeks
US market	Puppy price 2026	$1,500-3,500
	Waiting list	6-18 months
	Rescue availability	Low to moderate
	Estimated annual cost	$2,050-4,800 (with stripping)