wire-haired fox terrier
Noun: A breed of small, energetic dog originally developed for fox hunting. It is characterized by a distinctive coat of dense, wiry, and crisp hair that is typically white with patches of black or tan. This breed is a variety of the fox terrier.
The term "wire-haired fox terrier" is used to specifically identify this coated variety of the fox terrier breed. It functions as a countable noun. * The wire-haired fox terrier won first place in the terrier group at the dog show. * She prefers the rough texture of a wire-haired fox terrier over the smooth coat of the other variety. * Our family has always owned wire-haired fox terriers.
- The term is often used in contrast to "smooth fox terrier" to distinguish between the two main coat types within the breed.
- In formal contexts like kennel club standards, the term is used to describe the specific physical attributes required for the breed.
- Fox terrier: The general breed category encompassing both wire-haired and smooth-coated varieties.
- Wirehaired (also styled as wire-haired): An adjective describing the rough, stiff texture of the coat, not exclusive to this breed.
- Terrier: A broader category of dog breeds originally bred for hunting vermin and going to ground.
- Wire fox terrier (a common shortened form)
- Wirehair fox terrier
The term "wire-haired fox terrier" refers specifically to the dog breed. It does not have other common metaphorical or idiomatic meanings. The descriptor "wire-haired" strictly pertains to the physical characteristic of the coat.
- a fox terrier with wiry hair