Is the Smooth Fox Terrier or the Wire Fox Terrier better for families with children?

Both the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Smooth Fox Terrier or the Wire Fox Terrier?

The Smooth Fox Terrier sheds more than the Wire Fox Terrier. If shedding is a concern, the Wire Fox Terrier is the lower-maintenance choice.

Which is easier to train, the Smooth Fox Terrier or the Wire Fox Terrier?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Smooth Fox Terrier or Wire Fox Terrier bigger?

Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, Smooth Fox Terrier or Wire Fox Terrier?

Both bark a similar amount (high).

Which is better for apartment living, Smooth Fox Terrier or Wire Fox Terrier?

For apartment or apartment living, Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are an even match — either can work well.

Smooth Fox Terrier vs Wire Fox Terrier: Easier to Groom?

Smooth Fox Terrier vs Wire Fox Terrier: full comparison

Trait	Smooth Fox Terrier	Wire Fox Terrier
Size	Medium	Medium
Energy level	Very High	Very High
Trainability	Medium	Medium
Friendliness	High	High
Good with children	Medium	Medium
Grooming needs	Low	Very High
Shedding	Medium	Low
Barking	High	High
Protectiveness	Medium	Medium
Adaptability	High	High
Typical lifespan	14 years	14 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The Wire Fox Terrier has noticeably higher grooming than the Smooth Fox Terrier.

Size and living space

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a moderately built dog that settles into most homes, although a yard makes life easier. By comparison, the Wire Fox Terrier is a moderately built dog that settles into most homes, although a yard makes life easier. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. The Wire Fox Terrier is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Smooth Fox Terrier needs only light grooming, a brush once or twice a week and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. The Wire Fox Terrier is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and sheds only lightly. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Smooth Fox Terrier is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you and is generally good with children when socialized and supervised. The Wire Fox Terrier is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you and is generally good with children when socialized and supervised. On guarding instinct, Smooth Fox Terrier will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian, whereas Wire Fox Terrier will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For families with young children, Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For being left alone during the workday, Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For allergy sufferers, Wire Fox Terrier has the edge, as it sheds less dander around the home.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Smooth Fox Terrier if you prefer lower grooming upkeep.

Choose the Wire Fox Terrier if you want less shedding around the home.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Smooth Fox Terrier or the Wire Fox Terrier better for families with children?: Both the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Smooth Fox Terrier or the Wire Fox Terrier?: The Smooth Fox Terrier sheds more than the Wire Fox Terrier. If shedding is a concern, the Wire Fox Terrier is the lower-maintenance choice.
Which is easier to train, the Smooth Fox Terrier or the Wire Fox Terrier?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Smooth Fox Terrier or Wire Fox Terrier bigger?: Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, Smooth Fox Terrier or Wire Fox Terrier?: Both bark a similar amount (high).
Which is better for apartment living, Smooth Fox Terrier or Wire Fox Terrier?: For apartment or apartment living, Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are an even match — either can work well.

Smooth Fox Terrier vs Wire Fox Terrier