Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonGreek Sheepdog is originated from Greece but Wire Haired Fox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Greek Sheepdog may grow 37 cm / 15 inches higher than Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Greek Sheepdog may weigh 41 kg / 91 pounds more than Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Both Greek Sheepdog and Wire Haired Fox Terrier has almost same life span. Both Greek Sheepdog and Wire Haired Fox Terrier has same litter size. Both Greek Sheepdog and Wire Haired Fox Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
undefined
Greece
United Kingdom
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Height Female:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 6
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Greek Shepherd, Olympus Dog
Wire Fox Terrier
Colors Available:
White with red, black or brown markings
White, tan and black
Coat:
Thick, double-coat, long hair
Medium length, wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

greek sheepdogKnown as the Olympus Dog or even simply as the Greek Shepherd, the Greek Sheepdog is a large to giant molosser dog from Greece. His purpose has always been to guard flocks and livestock from predators and he has been around for hundreds of years, looking much like the Great Pyrenees.

It is believed that the dog was likely bred with a number of breeds – both local and non-local dogs.

Unfortunately there were no records kept of the development of the breed but today the Greek Sheepdog remains a rare and fairly unknown breed outside of Greece.

It's numbers are dwindling in Greece too and since 1998 the Greek ARCTUROS has made attempts to save the breed, starting the Greek Shepherd Dog Breeding Program.

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

greek sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Greek Sheepdog is a large dog, standing at 65 – 75cm and weighing roughly between 32 to 50kg. He is a dog that displays physical strength. He has a large head with brown eyes and a serious expression on his face. He has a thick double coat which is essentially white with red, black or brown markings.

You will also see tri-color dogs. He has floppy ears today but there was a time when the right ear of the male dog was cut off or cropped. The tail is long and bushy and it can be held low but also held up so that it curls over the back.

Temperament:

Maybe because of his size and him being a strong-willed, independent thinker, the Greek Shepherd may not be the best choice for a first time dog owner. Having said that, if you're a strong, firm, patient, kind person, then you'll be able to raise any kind of dog, first time or not.

The Greek Shepherd is a brave, loyal, calm, protective dog and with socialization and training, can make an awesome pet. They are dogs who are a bit suspicious with strangers, not making friends too easily. He loves his human family and wants to be part of their activities. He can't be left on his own day after day as this can lead to excessive barking and destructive behavior.

They've been dogs used to working with livestock and they will certainly need to be taken on daily walks and involved in rough and tumble games as they thrive on activity. The dog won't fit easily into city life where there is just a handkerchief-sized garden as he needs space and activity.

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

greek sheepdog dog - characteristicsYour Greek Shepherd is an intelligent, independent dog who likes to show his loyalty and devotion to his owner.

He is a protective dog too and when trained and socialized makes an excellent family pet. These Molosser type dogs are formidable dogs known for their bravery and courage.

They're the type of dogs who like a strong leader-type of owner and when he gets someone who he can look up to as his leader, he becomes a loyal, devoted pet.

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

greek sheepdog puppies - health problemsWith good care and lots of love, this dog can live to be between 10 to 12 years of age. He is unlikely to get sick very often, but still it it wise to know of some of the health issues than can occur with large breed dogs like this.

Some diseases to look out for include -

Dilated cardiomyopathy:

This is a disease of the heart muscle. The heart is enlarged and unable to have the right heart rhythm. The distended muscle isn't able to push the blood through the heart chambers to where it is needed. Cause for this dilated heart can be genetic, nutritional, infectious or metabolic.

Because taurine and carnitine are involved in good heart function, and low levels of these amino acids can cause symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy, supplementation is useful, especially if you feel your dog isn't getting in the right kind of food.

Lyme Disease:

Borreliosis, a bacterial infection, causes Lyme disease, transmitted by the Ixodes tick. The tick bites the dog and the toxins gets into the dog's bloodstream, with the bacteria travelling to different parts of the body.

Typical symptoms in a dog includes loss of appetite, fever, no energy, swelling of joints and lameness, but symptoms can progress to kidney failure too or cardiac problems. Treatment will include antibiotics.

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

Grooming:

greek sheepdog dogs - caringThe coat of the Greek Shepherd is fairly long so it will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep it free from matting and tangling. He is an average shedder and the brushing will remove all loose hairs, keeping the coat sleek and shiny.

Diet:

Feeding your Greek Sheepdog requires giving him top quality food as this will ensure he is healthy and can ward off common dog illnesses. If you're going to be feeding him kibble, make sure to go for the top quality brands, and as a treat for your pet you can add in some brown rice, pasta, brown bread, cooked chicken and vegetables.

Dogs are essentially carnivores and he will need to have some raw meat such as beef added into his kibble from time to time. He should never ever be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

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
  2. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  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
  12. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Greek Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Greek Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Greek Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Greek Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Greek Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Greek Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Greek Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Greek Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Greek Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Greek Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Greek Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Greek Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Greek Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Greek Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Greek Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Greek Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Greek Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Greek Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Greek Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Greek Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Greek Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Greek Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Greek Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Greek Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Greek Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison