Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Shih Tzu - Breed Comparison

Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Shih Tzu - Breed ComparisonShih Tzu is originated from China but Wire Haired Fox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Shih Tzu may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Both Shih Tzu and Wire Haired Fox Terrier are having almost same weight. Shih Tzu may live 4 years more than Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Both Shih Tzu and Wire Haired Fox Terrier has almost same litter size. Shih Tzu requires High Maintenance. But Wire Haired Fox Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Terrier dog
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China
United Kingdom
Height Male:
20 - 28 cm
7 - 12 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Height Female:
20 - 28 cm
7 - 12 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 7 kg
8 - 16 pounds
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 18 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 8
4 - 6
Size:
Toy
Medium
Other Names:
Chinese Lion Dog Chrysanthemum Dog,, Lion Dog
Wire Fox Terrier
Colors Available:
all often multiple colored
White, tan and black
Coat:
fine, straight, and silky
Medium length, wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

shih tzuThe Shih Tzu is an Imperial Chinese breed developed by palace breeders hundreds of years ago with breed stock from the Tibetan lines. It is quite probable that the Shih Tzu was originally a cross between two Sino-Tibetan ancient dogs – the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso. Based on their looks, the Shih Tzu means the lion dog, but they were really very pampered palace dogs living with the Chinese emperors and families. The emperors were always gifting the breeders who developed the most affectionate, gentle and beautiful Shih Tzus.

Until the 1930’s the Shih Tzu was not known to the world outside the emperor’s palace. Once the breed did come out from behind the palace walls, they were immediately popular. Much debate went on about how to refine the breed as clubs began to spring up in Peking and then in England. It was not until 1969 the Shih Tzu was recognized and entered in the AKC Stud Book.

While the original Shih Tzu might have been a mix between the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso, today’s breed spread around the world after the second world war. In Europe in the 1930’s the breed was classified as Apsos. In 1935 the first Shih Tzu Club of Europe was formed, and the first standard was written, and the breed was categorized as the Shih Tzu.

Following World War II, soldiers brought the dogs to the States from Europe. By the 1950’s the breed was growing in popularity and the AKC recognized the breed in 1969 as members of the Toy Group. They are now recognized by all major kennel clubs throughout the western world. They are recognized by the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale in the Companion and Toy Group, among Tibetan breeds.

The Shih Tzu is a good watchdog, but it was bred to be a companion animal. It is a friendly, open breed that welcomes strangers. They are great with other animals and children as well as adults.

wire haired fox terrierThe Wire Haired Fox Terrier originates in England, and it is thought that the dog developed from the white English Terrier being crossed with the Bull Terrier and maybe even the Beagle.

The hunting crowd wanted a dog that was small enough to disappear down a hole to flush out a fox.

Even though the Wire Haired Fox Terrier used to be a pet of Queen Victoria as well as King Edward VII, it only became popular as a family pet in the 1930s.

Description

shih tzu puppy - descriptionThis is a breed of lively, sturdy and alert little dogs with a beautiful double coat that is flowing and long. In its full glory the Shih Tzu coat is touching the floor all the way around the dog. The dog’s bearing is as royal as its history, arrogantly carrying his head high and his tail curving over his back.

The Shih Tzu is a solid, compact breed with weight and substance. They may be a small dog, but they are a strong one. They have large dark eyes with a short muzzle and fur covered drop ears. They are just a little longer than they are tall with a distinct underbite.

There are a few differences between the European or UK Kennel Club standard and the American Kennel Club AKC standard. As opposed to the UK standard the AKC standard states that:

  • The head is round and large, and the face looks up or forward.

• The hindquarters are muscular while the front are straight. They are balanced in that they are not too long or too short.

  • The eyes face the front and are very large.
  • The bod and neck are proportional and not exaggerated.
  • The shoulders are frontal.

wire haired fox terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wirehaired Fox Terrier is a medium-sized dog, standing at between 33 and 38cm in height and weighing between 6 and 9 kg.

The face is fairly long and he has semi-erect, semi-floppy ears and the high set tail is usually docked. The double coat is wiry, curly and coarse and is essentially white with tan or black markings. White is always the predominant color of the Wire Haired Fox Terrier.

Temperament:

This little dog is cheerful, cheeky, playful, feisty, lovable and full of the joys of life. He is also strong-willed and independent.

He makes a great playmate for kids and loves being in the company of his human family. He will get on well with other pets in the family too.

He is intelligent which means you can have him easily trained and socialized and the kids will love to teach him some tricks too. He is a high energy dog and will require a good dose of exercise.

He’ll become stressed and frustrated if he doesn't get the exercise he needs.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness – they are very good with children.

shih tzu dog - characteristics2.Special talents – they were bred to be companion animals. They are friendly and loyal.

3.Adaptability Yes very much so. They can live in an apartment or on a farm. It doesn’t matter and they don’t need a yard.

4.Learning ability – intelligent but can be stubborn.

wire haired fox terrier dog - characteristicsOne thing is for sure – when you bring a Wire Haired Fox Terrier into your home, you’re going to have a dog with endless energy. It is why they make such good pets when you’ve got kids in the house.

They like to please their owners and they respond well to training and socialization. They’re also brave and protective, making good watchdogs.

They’re loving, loyal and companionable, and there are plenty of stories about the loyalty of these dogs. Anyone who has had one of them as a pet will tell you what splendid dogs they are.

Health Problems

shih tzu puppies - health problemsFor many breeds that have the advantage of isolation like the Shih Tzu did with the emperors of China usually have very little genetic health issues. Most of the breed is indeed healthy but there are some issues.

• Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome due to the shape of their face and head causes them to have breathing issues. They cannot handle heat and they cannot swim. They can have an upper airway obstruction that makes it hard for them to breath. If this is bad enough, surgery may be required.

  • Hip Dysplasia and patellar luxation can both lead to lameness or arthritis.

• Hypothyroidism – thyroid does not produce the hormones necessary for metabolism to work effectively. This can lead to weight gain, hair loss, lethargy and muscle loss. It can be treated effectively.

• Issues of the eyes include – cataracts, corneal dryness and inflammation, progressive retinal atrophy, improperly closing eyelids and retinal detachment.

  • Portosystemic shunt of the liver.
  • Intervertebral disk disease – severe back pain.
  • Epilepsy.
  • Ear infections.
  • Immune mediated hemolytic anemia can be fatal.

wire haired fox terrier puppies - health problemsThese robust little dogs can succumb to any one of the many common dog illnesses there are -

Epilepsy:

The Wirehaired Foxy is a healthy dog, but it is thought that Epilepsy could be a problem with this breed. Your spunky dog may seem a little bit confused before he falls to the floor lying on his side and twitching like he’s having a bad dream.

This is brought on by uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the dog’s brain. The seizure can last for a minute or so but even so, whether it is a twitch or violent shuddering, it can leave you shocked and disturbed.

He can sometimes even urinate during the seizure. It is imperative to get your pet to the vet who will know precisely how it can be controlled.

Dental Problems:

Dental disease is also a common problem with dogs and unfortunately, your Wire Haired Fox Terrier also battles with this. The problem starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and then it can cause infection of the gums and roots of the teeth.

Left unattended to, your pet could lose his teeth, and it jeopardizes your pet’s health as well.

Caring The Pet

shih tzu dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – this is a toy dog so don’t overfeed. They have a tendency to become obese. Calorie and weight level need to be calculated with any diet you feed. The diet should be high quality with plenty of protein made for toy dogs. Feed the puppy at least 3 times a day, maybe four in very small amounts, never more than ½ cup per day.

2.Feeding the adult - this is a toy dog so don’t overfeed. They have a tendency to become obese. Calorie and weight level need to be calculated with any diet you feed. The diet should be high quality with plenty of protein made for toy dogs. Feed the adult once or twice a day in larger amounts than the puppy but never more than ¾ of a cup per day.

3.Points for Good Health - most Shih Tzu’s are hardy with exceptionally good health.

4. Games and Exercises

This is a pampered, not high energy dog. However, she still needs playtime, which can be indoors and short walks outdoors every day.

wire haired fox terrier dogs - caringGroom your pet. Brush twice weekly. Wire Haired Fox Terrier owners like to hand their pets in at professional groomers to have their hair cut short and made more manageable. The hair is kept quite long around the muzzle.

Check inside the ears that there are no signs of infection.

Trim the nails.

Exercise your pet every day.

Provide your pet with the best food there is. Always buy high quality food that can contribute to your pet’s health and which is suitable for his size, age and activity levels. The Wire Haired Fox Terrier is inclined to be a greedy dog and with a dog like this weight gain can slowly increase and can become a health problem.

Spay or Neuter. This is an excellent idea for your pet if you don’t want puppies. Not only that, spaying or neutering actually decreases the likelihood of your pet getting some types of cancer.

Provide your pet with his own dry, warm, quiet sleep area.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  3. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
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  5. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  7. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  14. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  26. Shih Tzu vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Shih Tzu vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Shih Tzu vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Shih Tzu vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Shih Tzu vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Shih Tzu vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Shih Tzu vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Shih Tzu vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Shih Tzu vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Shih Tzu vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Shih Tzu vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Shih Tzu vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Shih Tzu vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Shih Tzu vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Shih Tzu vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Shih Tzu vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Shih Tzu vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Shih Tzu vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Shih Tzu vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Shih Tzu vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Shih Tzu vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Shih Tzu vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Shih Tzu vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Shih Tzu vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Shih Tzu vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison