Wire Fox Terrier vs Sanshu - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Sanshu was developed in Japan a century ago – in 1912 in fact.

It is a cross between the Chinese Chow Chow and the ancient Japanese Aichi. People who know these dogs say they bear a resemblance to other Inu breeds, but it has a straight tail and not the usual curved one that you'd expect.

The breed is rare and they aren’t recognized by any breed organization.

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 Sanshu is a medium sized dog standing at between 50 to 55cm in height and weighing in the region of 20 to 25kg.

There is also a smaller variety. This dog has a wedge-shaped head with a tapering muzzle, dark almond-shaped eyes with small erect ears. The tail is long and is straight but it can bend over the dog’s back. The coat is short and coarse and can come in a number of shades such as tan, white, reddish, white and black.

Temperament:

The Sanshu is a dog that loves to please its owners. Even so, training and socialization should be given to this dog. He is an intelligent dog, and with training and socialization he becomes well balanced and able to respond to a few commands such as sit, come, stay and lie down.

These are loving, loyal dogs and bond closely with their human family. It is a true companion dog and makes an excellent guard dog too. He makes a great pet with children, if the children have been taught to be kind and gentle to animals and not climb all over them.

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.

Sanshu dogs are known for the exceptional companionship they offer. They are loving, loyal dogs, wanting to fit in peacefully with their human companions and eager to please.They are amicable dogs, willing to get on well with other dogs in the family too.

In exchange for such devotion, everyone who owns one of these dogs should be eager to ensure they provide well for their 4-legged family member.

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.

This dog from Japan is a fairly healthy breed, and you can encourage good health by ensuring he gets good food and adequate exercise.

Nonetheless, every dog can fall prey to some of the many dog illnesses there are, and some of these diseases can be skin allergies, hip dysplasia, bloat, digestive issues, cherry eye, cancer and obesity.

Eye Problems:

The condition of the eyes can give away some ideas of a dog’s health. Eye discharge can be a sign of an infection or an allergy. If your dog’s eyes aren’t clear and there is a constant discharge, talk to your vet and get to the root of it. Left untreated, there are some eye diseases that can lead to blindness.

Skin Allergies:

Just like humans get all kinds of skin problems, dogs also do. It can drive them crazy and you see them scratching and biting. Skin allergies are sometimes caused by insect bites or allergies to medication or food. You might see excessive itching, scratching, a nasty rash, watery eyes and chewing of the paws. Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease and you will need to get your pet to the vet.

Dental Problems:

You need to check inside your pet’s mouth and make sure that a bad tooth isn’t causing your pet tremendous pain and infection. Sometimes missing teeth can also interfere with the way your pet eats.

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.

Brush the coat twice a week to rid the coat of loose hairs.

Check the ears and eyes for infection.

Feel for unusual lumps on your pet’s body.

Provide your pet with a warm, dry place to sleep.

Keep your pet’s vaccines up to date to eliminate killer canine diseases.

Have your pet spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted puppies.

Feed your pet well. A Sanshu dog will require the best dog food there is. If you give him commercially manufactured food make sure it is one of the better brands to avoid toxic ingredients.

To add some variety, feed him some home made food occasionally which can be added to his dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Try and include some raw meat into the diet as this can help in fighting off horrible skin diseases. Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water for him.

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.