Fox Terrier vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

Fox Terrier vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed ComparisonFox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Cao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal. Fox Terrier may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than Cao da Serra de Aires. Fox Terrier may weigh 18 kg / 39 pounds lesser than Cao da Serra de Aires. Both Fox Terrier and Cao da Serra de Aires has almost same life span. Both Fox Terrier and Cao da Serra de Aires has same litter size. Fox Terrier requires Low maintenance. But Cao da Serra de Aires requires Moderate maintenance

History

fox terrier - historyThe Wirehaired Fox Terrier and the Smooth Fox Terrier were for over 100 years the same breed of dog. Now it is believed that they are two separate breeds with two separate ancestry. It is an English creation with Dachshunds, Fox Hound, English Hounds, and Beagle in their background. It is also believed that the Wales, Durham and Derbyshire extinct rough-coated black and tan working terrier. The white terrier breeds that exist today are related to the Fox Terrier. In addition, it is recognized that terrier breeds of today such as the Jack Russel, the Rat Terrier, and the Miniature Fox Terrier are descendants of the Fox Terrier.

They are one of the oldest of the terrier breeds dating back to the 17tth century in the British Isles. They were primarily farm dogs guarding against the fox and vermin. Like any terrier they go to ground – digging, growling, barking and lunging at the den until the animal comes out and the farmer killed it. The breed was made popular in England through their living with royalty. The Nots Kennel had a lot to do with this as well. King Edward VII’ Wire Fox Terrier came from the Notts Kennel. The Best Champion of Crufts in 1911 was a Wire Fox Terrier, and Queen Victoria had one as well. The Wire Fox Terrier finally became a family dog in the 1930’s. During this time there were feature movies and comic strips that feature a Wire Fox Terrier, such as The Thin Man and The Adventures of Tintin.

The late 1900’s saw the population moving off the farms, out of the country and into the cities. This caused a decline in the popularity of the breed. Keeping terriers born to hunt in the city proved a challenge in the beginning. Their popularity is influenced as well by the breeds success in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York – second only to the Crufts Dog Show in England. Adding to their early success at Crufts, the Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed has won more Westminster Best in Show than any other with 14. Only five dogs have won at Westminster more than once and one of those is a Wirehaired Fox Terrier. A Smooth Fox Terrier won it three times.

cao da serra de aires - historyAncestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.

Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.

The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.

Description

fox terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wirehaired Fox terrier is a sturdy dog with features quite similar to the Smooth Fox Terrier. It is symmetrical with a short back, round, dark eyes, a body that is shorter and ears that are v-shaped. He is medium sized with a flat skull that narrows as it approaches the nose. The nose is black, and the muzzle also tapers to it. The breed has a high, docked tail outside the United Kingdom. The tail is natural in the United Kingdom. They don’t have a broad or narrow chest, but it is deep. Laid back shoulders and a short back are signs of good breeding. Their legs are strong, and their feet have tough, cushioned pads.

cao da serra de aires puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.

The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.

Temperament:

The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

fox terrier dog - characteristicsThe Wirehaired Fox Terrier is good with children but if teased and frustrated he could bite. Children should know how to play with them and not to tease them.

Special talents

He is great at performing tricks, tracking, agility, watch dog, competitive hunting or field trials.

Adaptability

The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is quite adaptable and can live anywhere. He is not a big dog but remember he is very high energy.

Learning ability

The breed is very smart but being independent thinkers, they can be difficult to train at times. Consistency and patience are needed when training the Wirehaired Fox Terrier. They get bored easily and if training sessions are not fun you will lose them. This is a breed that loves people but need constant supervision and companionship.

cao da serra de aires dog - characteristicsThe Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.

Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.

Health Problems

fox terrier puppies - health problemsThis is basically a healthy breed, but there are some potential issues that could arise:

  1. Cataracts
  2. Causes a cloudiness and can cause blindness
  3. Luxating Patellas
  4. “Floating Kneecaps” – dislocated kneecaps. Causes lameness and arthritis
  5. Legg-Calve-Perthes Syndrome
  6. Causes a very serious muscle loss in the dog’s legs
  7. Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
  8. Causes lameness and arthritis
  9. Epilepsy
  10. Causes seizures
  11. Shoulder Dislocation
  12. Causes pain and arthritis
  13. Mast Cell Tumors
  14. Cancer – could be fatal
  15. Post Nasal Drip
  16. Just annoying
  17. Deafness

This is possible in white terriers

cao da serra de aires puppies - health problemsAs with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.

Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.

There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.

Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.

Cataracts:

Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

fox terrier dogs - caringGive them two meals maybe three per day. Total food per day divided into the number of meals is 1/8-1/4 cup day.

Feeding the adult

Once again feed one-two meals per day and don’t overfeed. Total of ½ cup day

Games and Exercises

Being a terrier, the Wirehaired Fox Terrier needs a lot of exercise. He is energetic and playful. He loves to play ball, take interesting walks, and play in fenced areas. He needs to be in either a fenced area or on a leash as he will chase any small animal that he sees moving. But if you leave him unsupervised in a fenced area, don’t forget he is a terrier. He is likely to dig under or climb over a fence that isn’t entirely secure.

He loves earth dog trials, agility, tracking, hunting, flyball, and running. He hardly ever walks. He can play ball chasing for hours if you let him. Exercise is bonding for you and your Wirehaired Fox Terrier.

cao da serra de aires dogs - caringAs a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.

Grooming

The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.

To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Portugal
Height Male:
35 - 39 cm
13 - 16 inches
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Height Female:
32 - 36 cm
12 - 15 inches
42 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
8 - 9 kg
17 - 20 pounds
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 8 kg
15 - 18 pounds
15 - 27 kg
33 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
3 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Wire hair fox terrier Wirehaired terrier Fox terrier Wire
Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog
Colors Available:
predominant white base with brown markings of the face and ears, and usually a black saddle or large splotch of color; there may be other black or brown markings on the body.
Fawn, gray, yellow and black
Coat:
rough, Broken
Long, shaggy, single-layer coat,
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Schnauzer vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Fox Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Fox Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Fox Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Fox Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Fox Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Fox Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  8. Fox Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Fox Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Fox Terrier vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Lakeland Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Jagdterrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Indian Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Japanese Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Old English Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Scoland Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Skye Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Welsh Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  29. English Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  30. Catahoula Cur vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  31. Catalan Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  32. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  33. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  34. Queensland Heeler vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  35. German Coolie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  36. Croatian Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  37. Red Heeler vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  38. New Zealand Huntaway vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  39. Norwegian Buhund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  40. Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  41. Mudi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  42. Schapendoes vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  43. Nenets Herding Laika vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  44. Scotch Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  45. Smithfield vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  46. Smooth Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  47. Spanish Water Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  48. Swedish Lapphund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  49. Swedish Vallhund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  50. Thai Bangkaew vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds