Grooming your Fox Terrier

Fox Terriers come in two types: soft and wire coats. Soft coats can be combed and brushed and are much lower maintenance than the wire coats. However, owning and caring for a wire coat Fox Terrier is a point of pride for many owners and so it’s worth knowing how to do it.

Wire coat Fox Terriers do not require brushing or combing; but they do require extensive and constant hand stripping and plucking, especially around the neck and chest area.

Stripping and plucking generally has to be done weekly or biweekly in order to stave off the scruffy appearance that Fox Terriers otherwise get. This makes them higher maintenance, but you can also get a very professional appearance from your dog without paying a lot of money for it. Always ask a groomer for advice on how to handle the stripping and plucking if you are unsure though.

Don’t Bath to Much

Fox Terriers do not need to be bathed except as needed, such as when they roll in something offensive. Instead, you can use a damp cloth to spot off any dirt or loose hairs. You shouldn’t bathe your Fox Terrier too much because it dries out the skin and loosens the natural curls of the dog’s coat so that it loses its integrity. Fox Terriers should also not be clipped as the dead hair shafts cause itching and an unsightly appearance. Instead, you should stick to plucking and stripping so that your terrier retains its appearance.

Brush their Teeth Regularly

Fox Terriers have the same grooming needs as other terriers though. Their nails need to be clipped every couple weeks in order to retain healthy nails and keep your dog comfortable. The corners of their eyes should be wiped regularly in order to clean up the build up of dirt that can accumulate when the eyelashes move them aside over the course of the day. Fox Terriers should also have their teeth brushed regularly in order to get rid of the build up of plaque and prevent problems like gingivitis from occurring.

If you start while your dog is a puppy, you can get your dog used to the process so there will be less of a struggle later on when you have to do it. Use canine toothpaste and a toothbrush or a fingerbrush and have plenty of treats on hand as dogs are rarely comfortable with having their teeth handled even if they have had it done to them since puppyhood. You also need to clean out their ears with a soft cotton swab and a cleaning solution to loosen the ear wax.

Soft Coated vs Wire Coated Fox Terrier

Soft coated Fox Terrier grooming is easier than the wire coat ones-they simply need to be brushed and have their nails clipped, so this is something to consider when deciding between Fox Terriers. Wire coated Fox Terriers require a great deal more personal care, but this also gives you a chance to have some quality bonding time with your dog and take a great deal of pride in knowing that you’ve had a direct hand in the appearance of your dog. For these reasons, it’s well worth learning how to groom your Fox Terrier.