Wire Fox Terrier vs Mioritic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

This is a large dog coming from the Carpathian mountain area of Romania.

He has always been an excellent working dog, guarding and protecting sheep. Farmers always kept these dogs as working dogs, with no written records being kept about the development of the breed.

The breed is ancient, possibly dating back to ancient Roman times. It was in the 20th century that interest in the breed was ignited, and in 1981 the first official breed standard was recorded. The breed was also registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale in 2005.

The wire fox terrier was developed in England by fox hunting enthusiasts. They wanted a feisty dog that could chase foxes down their burrows.

It is thought that the dog descended from the rough-coated black and tan working terriers of Wales.

The dog wasn’t popular as a pet until the 1930s when its appearance in certain films gave it a popularity-boost.

The Mioritic Sheepdog looks very much like the Old English Sheepdog with his huge body covered with long hair.

His head is also large with a black nose and smallish to medium length floppy ears. The color of the double coat is usually white, cream or pale gray, and sometimes you will find patches of these colors.

The tail has always been traditionally docked, otherwise the tail is left long with a slight curl at the end. The height of the dog is 65 to 75cm and he weighs roughly 50–60kg. Below the thick coat is a muscular dog with strong, straight legs which can help him become quite agile and speedy when needed. Allowed to breed, they can produce anything from 3 to 9 of the most adorable looking puppies.

Temperament:

The Mioritic Sheepdog is a balanced dog, loving to be with his owners but being wary of strangers. He is a brave dog, willing to guard his human family with his life.

He is also a strong-willed and dominant so it will be to his benefit to be trained and socialized so that he becomes obedient and easy to have around.Training won’t be difficult as he is an intelligent breed and already naturally obedient.

He is an energetic dog too so he will need to have regular exercise and games. He therefore gets on well with children in the home, loving to join in with all their games. He will need to be supervised around small children just because of his cumbersome, large size.

The Wire Fox Terrier is a sturdy, medium-sized dog that weighs between 7 and 9kg and stands between 35 and 39cm at the withers.

The dog’s double coat is essentially white with brown or tan markings and can be medium length and wiry, tending to be curly too.

He is a light shedder. The face is long, without much shape and eyes appear to be fairly close together. The ears are fairly small and they fold forward toward the cheeks. The tail is docked and is held high.

Temperament:

This really is an intelligent dog and can’t tolerate being bored. It’s essentially a companion dog too and doesn't want to be separated from his owners for too long.

As a companion dog he is going to want a lot of attention. They’re independent and strong-willed and will benefit from training and socialization.

They are great around children but they do need to be supervised as they are inclined to nip, especially when highly excited. They also bark quite a bit and the owner might have to do something to stop this yapping, especially when the dog is bored.

The Mioritic Shepherd has always been used to guard and protect livestock, but even though he has always taken this role seriously, he is calm and loving around his human family, making a splendid family pet.

He also plays the role of guardian and protector of his human family seriously. He is a big strong dog and training and socialization will become necessary as he can become aggressive with certain people who he doesn’t trust.

Inviting one of these dogs into your home will ensure having a constant and loving companion at your side.

The Wire Fox Terrier is such a canine friend, ready to be with you no matter what you’re doing. They are social dogs and love being involved with their human companions.

He is independent but still social and enthusiastic and you can describe him as the ideal family dog.

He is a bundle of energy, and when you bring him into your home, you’re going to get a family member who is playful, joyful, loving and loyal – your very best friend.

The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is a truly hardy dog breed and with good care such as good food and exercise can reach 14 years of age.

There are always some common dog illnesses to look out for and because he is a large dog, hip dysplasia can be a problem.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a disease where there is abnormal growth of the hip joints. Smooth movement of the joint is hindered and this leads to inflammation and pain.

At first you may find your dog limping and then you may find that after lying down, he battles to get up again. The joint becomes thickened with less mobility and the dog is reluctant to play like he used to. He will certainly need to get to the vet for treatments to make him more comfortable.

These are healthy dogs, and if you get your dog from a responsible breeder, he will have been checked for health conditions such as cataracts, hip dysplasia, and luxating patellas.

Cataracts:

Cataracts are a problem with the lens of the eye. The lens focuses light and it should be crystal clear. A cataract obscures vision. Sometimes the cataract can be very small but other times it can grow to the size of the lens and then it can cause blindness.

Most times, dogs with cataracts can still see, and even though a dog may experience some confusion with a cataract, they don’t hurt the dog. They don’t go away on their own and will need to be removed surgically. If you see your dog has a cataract, consult your vet to get their opinion on the matter.

Allergies:

Your dog may be licking and scratching a lot and it may just be that your dog has a frustrating and irritating skin problem. This itching isn’t a disease but rather a cause of some disease.

There could be so many things that are causing your pet to scratch and it could be a skin disease, parasites or allergies. It can be terrible seeing the frustration it causes your pet and he will certainly need to see the vet.

The Mioritic Sheepdog’s long hair is coarse and will need to be regularly brushed to keep it free of tangles. It will certainly need to be brushed 2 or 3 times a week, while some owners of this dog will prefer to have the coat professionally clipped. Because of the long hair, while brushing him it is an excellent time to check for ticks and fleas.

Diet:

The food you give your pet plays such a critical role in his health and longevity. Always make sure that you’re giving your pet an uncomplicated diet to avoid stomach upsets.

Give him the best commercially manufactured kibble. To provide him with some variety, add in some boiled chicken, cooked vegetables such as potato, carrots and spinach to his kibble from time to time. He will also benefit greatly from having some raw meat added into the kibble occasionally.

Learn to know which human foods are totally toxic to him and avoid these. Make sure he is never without cool, fresh water.

Grooming:

This dog will need to be brushed regularly. Some people hand-strip their dogs. Most people prefer just to take their pets to a professional groomer to have them professionally clipped. The groomers will simultaneously clip his nails, clean the inside of his ears and also clean his teeth.

Diet:

The Wire Fox Terrier will expect you to supply him with high-quality dog food if you opt to use commercially manufactured dog food. These foods can be wonderfully convenient but you want the food to be packed with natural ingredients and be high in vitamins and minerals.

Any diet should also be appropriate to the dog’s age, his size, and his activity levels. Some homemade foods can also be a treat but this needs to be simple with no heavy spicing. Things such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables can be an excellent choice.

Cool, fresh water should be available at all times.