Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Molossus - Breed Comparison

Wire Haired Fox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Molossus is originated from Greece. Wire Haired Fox Terrier may grow 38 cm / 14 inches shorter than Molossus. Wire Haired Fox Terrier may weigh 46 kg / 101 pounds lesser than Molossus. Both Wire Haired Fox Terrier and Molossus has almost same life span. Wire Haired Fox Terrier may have less litter size than Molossus. Both Wire Haired Fox Terrier and Molossus requires Moderate maintenance.

History

wire haired fox terrier - historyThe Wire Haired Fox Terrier originates in England, and it is thought that the dog developed from the white English Terrier being crossed with the Bull Terrier and maybe even the Beagle.

The hunting crowd wanted a dog that was small enough to disappear down a hole to flush out a fox.

Even though the Wire Haired Fox Terrier used to be a pet of Queen Victoria as well as King Edward VII, it only became popular as a family pet in the 1930s.

The Molossus has always been a popular dog and they have been around since ancient times. Mastiff type dogs are termed as Molossus.

Of course, when looking at the origin of the dog, there are many unsubstantiated claims about it. It has always been believed that the Molossus was a Mastiff-type dog, ferocious in battle. The Romans were dog breeders and recognized that the Molossus was a talented dog – good at guarding and herding.

Over the centuries the dog has changed but it is believed it was a Mastiff-type dog with a number of other breeds included in its origins such as the Rottweiler, Pug, Bulldog, Great Dane, Alano Espanol and Saint Bernard.

The Molossus isn’t a dog breed itself but rather a category that other dogs belong to. Today there are Molosser clubs and Molosser shows around the world.

Description

wire haired fox terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wirehaired Fox Terrier is a medium-sized dog, standing at between 33 and 38cm in height and weighing between 6 and 9 kg.

The face is fairly long and he has semi-erect, semi-floppy ears and the high set tail is usually docked. The double coat is wiry, curly and coarse and is essentially white with tan or black markings. White is always the predominant color of the Wire Haired Fox Terrier.

Temperament:

This little dog is cheerful, cheeky, playful, feisty, lovable and full of the joys of life. He is also strong-willed and independent.

He makes a great playmate for kids and loves being in the company of his human family. He will get on well with other pets in the family too.

He is intelligent which means you can have him easily trained and socialized and the kids will love to teach him some tricks too. He is a high energy dog and will require a good dose of exercise.

He’ll become stressed and frustrated if he doesn't get the exercise he needs.

This Ancient dog breed from Greece has different descriptions of what it really looked like. It seems to have always been large to medium sized dog standing in the region of 50 to 76cm in height and weighing anything from 25 to 55kg.

The coat is mostly short and smooth and can be in a host of different colors. They are large boned dogs, solidly built with medium sized floppy ears, a short, thick neck, short, broad muzzle and a long tail which was later docked.

Molossers typically have heavy bones, pendant ears, and a relatively short and well-muscled neck, with a short, broad muzzle. These Molossers have always been used for a variety of jobs where strength, perseverance, speed and braveness are required. They have been used as rescue- and guard dogs, protecting livestock from predators.

Temperament:

The Molossus dogs all have the same kind of characteristics which have been bred into them. From their working days, they are known for their tremendous courage, taking on wild animals to protect their livestock.

They are territorial, wanting to protect their human family and home from intruders.They have also been bred to be loyal, loving family pets, and being highly affectionate, they want to be involved in the activities of the family.

This breed is gentle and loving, social and active and gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children. They’re intelligent dogs and will need to be trained and socialized to ensure they are obedient and amicable with visitors to the home.

Characteristics

wire haired fox terrier dog - characteristicsOne thing is for sure – when you bring a Wire Haired Fox Terrier into your home, you’re going to have a dog with endless energy. It is why they make such good pets when you’ve got kids in the house.

They like to please their owners and they respond well to training and socialization. They’re also brave and protective, making good watchdogs.

They’re loving, loyal and companionable, and there are plenty of stories about the loyalty of these dogs. Anyone who has had one of them as a pet will tell you what splendid dogs they are.

The Molossus, contrary to what many people think, isn’t a vicious dog, but rather a good natured dog that makes a wonderful family pet.

These dogs are known also for being hard working dogs with characteristics of bravery. They are dogs who may look fairly tough, but they are actually gentle, calm and sensitive. It’s a bad upbringing from the owners that gives any dog bad characteristics.

Train your Molossus, have him socialized and be a responsible and loving dog owner, and these dogs promise to make you a splendid family pet.

Health Problems

wire haired fox terrier puppies - health problemsThese robust little dogs can succumb to any one of the many common dog illnesses there are -

Epilepsy:

The Wirehaired Foxy is a healthy dog, but it is thought that Epilepsy could be a problem with this breed. Your spunky dog may seem a little bit confused before he falls to the floor lying on his side and twitching like he’s having a bad dream.

This is brought on by uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the dog’s brain. The seizure can last for a minute or so but even so, whether it is a twitch or violent shuddering, it can leave you shocked and disturbed.

He can sometimes even urinate during the seizure. It is imperative to get your pet to the vet who will know precisely how it can be controlled.

Dental Problems:

Dental disease is also a common problem with dogs and unfortunately, your Wire Haired Fox Terrier also battles with this. The problem starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and then it can cause infection of the gums and roots of the teeth.

Left unattended to, your pet could lose his teeth, and it jeopardizes your pet’s health as well.

These large dogs are particularly prone to health issues such as hip dysplasia, a genetic condition. A poor diet as well as environmental factors can contribute towards the disease too as well as rapid weight gain and obesity.

This disease develops because the dog’s hip joints haven’t developed properly. The hips then partially dislocate, and the dog has pain and battles to get around. If your dog shows signs of hip dysplasia, he will need to get to the vet to do a physical exam and come up with a treatment- and management program.

Caring The Pet

wire haired fox terrier dogs - caringGroom your pet. Brush twice weekly. Wire Haired Fox Terrier owners like to hand their pets in at professional groomers to have their hair cut short and made more manageable. The hair is kept quite long around the muzzle.

Check inside the ears that there are no signs of infection.

Trim the nails.

Exercise your pet every day.

Provide your pet with the best food there is. Always buy high quality food that can contribute to your pet’s health and which is suitable for his size, age and activity levels. The Wire Haired Fox Terrier is inclined to be a greedy dog and with a dog like this weight gain can slowly increase and can become a health problem.

Spay or Neuter. This is an excellent idea for your pet if you don’t want puppies. Not only that, spaying or neutering actually decreases the likelihood of your pet getting some types of cancer.

Provide your pet with his own dry, warm, quiet sleep area.

Exercise:

These dogs were bred to be working dogs and they have always spent their time outdoors performing a guarding or rescue role. Today they require a lot of exercise – walks and ball games – as they are dogs with a lot of energy.

Diet:

Essentially a large breed, the Molossus will need a commercially manufactured food of high quality if you opt to make use of the convenience of these foods.

Make sure to choose one manufactured for large breeds and which is free of a host of bad ingredients such as corn, soy, wheat, dairy, artificial colors, sweeteners and preservatives.

You want dog food which is high in protein and fat. Try and include some home-cooked food such as boiled chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables. An ingredient to look out for in your dog’s food is omega-3 fatty acid to help keep the skin and coat shiny and healthy. Puppies particularly benefit from DHA, or Docosahexaenoic acid, a form of omega-3 fatty acid that is good for brain development.

Grooming:

Brushing the dog’s coat twice a week will be necessary to remove loose hairs, especially during the shedding period. When you brush him, check for ticks and fleas and speak to your vet about flea treatment if necessary. Ears and eyes should be checked and cleaned regularly.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Molosser dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Greece
Height Male:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
25 - 55 kg
55 - 122 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
25 - 55 kg
55 - 122 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
5 - 9
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Wire Fox Terrier
Molosser, Mastiff-type
Colors Available:
White, tan and black
All colors
Coat:
Medium length, wiry
Generally short and smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  4. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  10. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  12. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Lakeland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Jagdterrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Indian Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Old English Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Scoland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Skye Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Perro de Presa Canario vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  27. Molossus vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  28. Molossus vs Dogue De Bordeaux - Breed Comparison
  29. Molossus vs Caucasian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Molossus vs Dogo Guatemalteco - Breed Comparison
  31. Molossus vs Danish Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  32. Molossus vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Molossus vs Cabecudo Boiadeiro - Breed Comparison
  34. Molossus vs Canis Panther - Breed Comparison
  35. Molossus vs Cao de Castro Laboreiro - Breed Comparison
  36. Molossus vs Cao de Fila da Terceira - Breed Comparison
  37. Molossus vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. Molossus vs Gran Mastin de Borinquen - Breed Comparison
  39. Molossus vs Korean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  40. Sage Koochee vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  41. Perro Cimarron vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  42. Perro de Toro vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  43. Samoyed vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  44. Old English Sheepdog vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  45. Presa Canario vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  46. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  47. Saluki vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  48. Rough Collie vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  49. Mountain Cur vs Molossus - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds