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Wire Fo-Tzu |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Tibet -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Wire Fo-Tzu |
| When you mix a Fox Terrier Wire with a Shih Tzu, you get a wiry little ball of fur called the Wire Fo-Tzu. These toy-sized dogs make excellent pets for just about anyone, but are best suited to homes without children under five. As they don't weigh much more than 9 kilos, they're at home in homes of all sizes and don't need as much exercise as most dogs. They are generally healthy and live to about 16 years. They can be difficult to train, however, and will require a great deal of time and patience. Like most small dogs, the Wire Fo-Tzu is susceptible to small dog syndrome. |
History of the Wire Fo-Tzu |
| The Wire Fo-Tzu is a mix of Fox Terrier Wire and Shih Tzu. So it's important to examine their backgrounds to determine your new dog's complex personality. |
A little of the Fox Terrier Wire |
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| The history of the Fox Terrier Wire began in 19th century England, when fox hunters decided to try and develop a small but brave breed to hunt their prey from fox burrows. To prevent their dogs being mistaken for foxes, breeders mixed the Fox Terrier Smooth with the Fox Terrier Wire to produce a cleaner, whiter-coated dog, but this practice was abandoned many years ago to preserve the purity of the bloodline. The Fox Terrier Wirehair is a highly intelligent, lively dog that cuts a fine figure in the Westminster dog show ring, where it has already won first prize 13 times. However, it is still only the 101st most popular breed in America, where it has been recognized by the American Kennel Club since 1885. | ||
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| Standard of the Fox Terrier Wire |
A little of the Shih Tzu |
| The Shih Tzu has been the Chinese companion of royal families since the 7th century. They are thought to have been bred from Lhasa Apsos, Tibetan Mastiffs and Pekingese for the sole purpose of being royal companions. They eventually became popular with the public and almost disappeared during the Chinese revolution. Fourteen Shih Tzus were rescued at that time, and it is believed that all modern Shih Tzus are descendants of these 14 dogs. At the beginning of the 20th century, Shih Tzus began to be found in other countries, such as the United States, England and Norway, but they were often confused with Lhasa Apsos. In fact, it wasn't until 1938 that separate standards were established to separate the two breeds. Amazingly, it took 31 years for the Shih Tzu to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, but today it is the 20th most common breed in the United States. |
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| Standard of the Shih Tzu |
Appearance of the Wire Fo-Tzu |
| Your Wire Fo-Tzu will most likely have a dense, wiry, medium-length coat that is most often tricolored white with shades of beige, mocha and black, or it may be brindle, pied, fawn, lemon or white. Its round head is proportionate to the rest of its small body, with shaggy ears that usually hang over the face, slightly exorbited coffee-colored eyes and an alert expression. Its black nose is small and broad, its legs short and stubby, and its tail long and tapering, usually curled over its back. Some Wire Fo-Tzu have a short tail, but it's not as common. |
Temperament of the Wire Fo-Tzu |
| Being a designer breed, the Wire Fo-Tzu can have the temperament of one or both of its parent breeds. The Shih Tzu is a barking little dog with a gentle personality and a fun-loving attitude. However, it can be snappy with toddlers and have trouble potty training. As long as you're strict and consistent, your dog should do fine. The Fox Terrier Wire is a highly intelligent hunter who can become aggressive with children and small animals, so socialize him often and correctly to avoid problems. These dogs benefit from routines and schedules that keep them happy but constantly on track. |
Needs and activities of the Wire Fo-Tzu |
| The Shih Tzu can be a lazy dog who likes to lie at your feet. However, if it doesn't get enough exercise, it tends to become overweight. The Fox Terrier Wire is a very energetic dog that loves to run and chase local wildlife due to its strong hunting inclination. If you're not a hunter, you can let him run around the yard for a few hours a day, but you should also take him for a few walks a day and maybe go to the local dog park to play with other dogs. |
Maintenance of the Wire Fo-Tzu |
| Your Wire Fo-Tzu has a mixture of soft, silky hair and hard hair, so his coat tends to tangle easily. To prevent your dog's coat from tangling, you should make sure to brush it thoroughly at least three or four times a week with a detangling tool and a stainless steel comb. You should also brush him lightly with a long-hair brush every day to prevent excessive shedding. If your Wire Fo-Tzu's coat is very hard, you'll need to strip it at least three times a year, which you can do yourself by hand or with a stripping blade. To avoid dental problems, brush his teeth several times a week. Also, trim his nails several times a month. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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