Wire Foxy Rat Terrier

The Wire Foxy Rat Terrier is a 50/50 mix of his parents the American Rat Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier. He displays many of their characteristics and traits. The American Rat Terrier was bred for speed. His fast responses enabled him to be a superior ratter. He was often used on ships to control the rodent populations. British immigrants are believed to have brought the small dogs to America where they quickly gained popularity. They became a favorite pet of farmers across the United States because they helped keep the vermin in check. Nowadays, police departments use the small dogs to search for contraband because they have a keen sense of smell and they are highly intelligent, so they learn quickly. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the American  Rat Terrier in 2010 and entered them into the Miscellaneous Group. The Wire Fox Terrier is an old breed whose origins can be traced back to England. The dog is believed to be a descendant of the now extinct rough-coated working Terrier which was common throughout Wales, Durham, and Derbyshire. The Wire Fox Terrier was bred to be a fearless hunter and to pursue a fox into its den without hesitation. The dog's short and robust docked tail served as a handle for the hunter. The hunter would reach down into the burrow and pull the dog out by his tail so the fox could then be finished off. The American Kennel Club first recognized the Wire Fox Terrier in 1885 but it was grouped with the Smooth Fox Terrier and they were considered the same breed. It was not until 1984 that the American Kennel Club officially separated the two breeds. The Wire Fox Terrier was placed in the AKC's Terrier Group.