Have you ever considered getting a wire-haired dog? Not only are these canines blessed with a rugged appearance, but these dogs are almost always lower-maintenance than similar breeds with regular grooming requirements.
Furthermore, wire-haired dogs are known for their intelligence and trainability. Their high energy levels make them excellent companions for active individuals or families. Without further delay, take a look at the 15 wire-haired dogs that make excellent pets.
1. Airedale Terrier
Height: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm)
Weight: 50-70 pounds (23-32 kg)
The Airedale Terrier coat is an eccentric combination of wiry and dense fur. Their double coat consists of a harsh outer layer and a soft undercoat. The outer coat is known for its resilience and ability to repel dirt and water, making it well-suited for various weather conditions.
The breed's coat is usually tanned with a black saddle, providing a striking appearance. The fur on their head is usually darker, accentuating their expressive eyes and intelligent expression. Their coat requires regular grooming and brushing to maintain its texture and prevent matting.
2. Wire Fox Terrier
Height: 14-15.5 inches (36-39 cm)
Weight: 15.5-18 pounds (7-8 kg)
The Wire Fox Terrier has a double coat with a dense, wiry topcoat and a soft undercoat. The wiry topcoat is weather-resistant and provides protection from the elements, while the undercoat offers insulation.
Despite its distinctive coat, the Wire Fox Terrier does shed minimally. However, it still produces dander, saliva, and urine proteins that can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. These allergens cause problems like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and respiratory issues.
3. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Height: 20-24 inches (51-61 cm)
Weight: 50-60 pounds (23-27 kg)
The Wirehair Pointing Griffon outer coat serves as protection against thorny underbrush and cold weather. On the other hand, the undercoat is dense and soft, providing additional insulation.
The Griffon's coat comes in a range of colors, including solid liver and steel gray, with or without white markings. The most common coloration is a combination of brown and white, known as roan. Roan patterns can vary, with the majority of the coat being one color and small flecks or ticking of the other color.
4. German Wirehaired Pointer
Height: 22-26 inches (56-66 cm)
Weight: 50-70 pounds (23-32 kg)
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile German dog breed that originated in the late 19th century. It was developed by a group of dedicated breeders who aimed to create a gun dog capable of hunting both on land and in water.
The breed's ancestry can be traced back to various German breeds, including the German Shorthaired Pointer, Pudelpointer, Griffon, and Stichelhaar. Pointer was officially recognized as a breed by the German Kennel Club in 1928 and by the American Kennel Club in 1959.
5. Irish Wolfhound
Height: 32-34 inches (81-86 cm)
Weight: 115-180 pounds (52-82 kg)
The Irish Wolfhound is a hound dog with a gentle and friendly nature. They are known for being patient, affectionate, and great with children, making them an ideal choice for households with kids.
These dogs also have a relatively low-maintenance coat. They do shed, but their wiry and dense fur requires minimal grooming compared to other breeds. This can be a significant advantage for those looking for a dog that doesn't require extensive grooming routines.
6. Brussels Griffon
Height: 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)
Weight: 8-10 pounds (3.5-4.5 kg)
The Brussels Griffon coat can vary between two types: rough and smooth. The rough-coated one has a dense, wiry, and harsh outer coat that forms a protective layer against the elements. The smooth-coated dog, on the other hand, has a short, glossy, and sleek coat that requires less maintenance.
Regardless of the coat type, Brussels Griffons have a wide range of color possibilities, including black, red, belge (a mixture of black and reddish-brown), and black and tan. Some may even have white markings on their chest or feet.
7. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Height: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm)
Weight: 18-24 pounds (8-11 kg)
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small breed that originated in the border region between England and Scotland in the 18th century. The breed gets its name from a character in Sir Walter Scott's novel, "Guy Mannering," where a farmer named Dandie Dinmont owned a pack of these distinctive terriers.
The exact origin of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is somewhat uncertain, but it is believed to be a crossbreed between several terrier breeds, including the Skye Terrier and the now-extinct Scotch Terrier. These early terriers were bred to be versatile working dogs, used for hunting and pest control on farms.
8. Scottish Terrier
Height: 10 inches (25 cm)
Weight: 18-22 pounds (8-10 kg)
The Scottish Terrier can make an excellent pet for the right owner. The black dog breed is known for its distinctive appearance with a wiry coat, beard, and bushy eyebrows.
Scotties are loyal and devoted to their families, making them excellent companions. They are generally good with children and can get along well with other pets if properly socialized from an early age. However, they do have a tendency to be reserved or aloof with strangers, which makes them good watchdogs.
9. Cairn Terrier
Height: 9-10 inches (23-25 cm)
Weight: 13-18 pounds (6-8 kg)
The Cairn Terrier is a small but sturdy dog with a compact and muscular body Their head is broad, with a strong muzzle and a pair of dark, alert eyes that reflect their intelligence and curiosity. One of its most recognizable features is its bushy eyebrows and beard.
The Cairn Terrier's coat is weather-resistant and consists of a harsh outer layer and a soft, dense undercoat. They come in various colors, including cream, wheaten, red, gray, or brindle.
10. Welsh Terrier
Height: 15-15.5 inches (38-39 cm)
Weight: 20-22 pounds (9-10 kg)
The Welsh Terrier has a distinct appearance in addition to its lively personality. This small to medium-sized dog stands out with its dense, wiry coat that comes in shades of black and tan.
The breed's head is distinctively rectangular, adorned with bushy eyebrows and a wiry beard, adding to its charming and expressive face. Their sturdy build and agile nature make them well-suited for a variety of activities.
11. Schnauzer (Standard)
Height: 17.5-19.5 inches (44-50 cm)
Weight: 35-50 pounds (16-23 kg)
Standard Schnauzers are loyal, alert, and protective dogs with an intelligent and spirited temperament. They make excellent family pets and are generally good with children, but early socialization and training are important to ensure their well-rounded behavior.
Their double coat is typically seen in solid black, salt and pepper, or black and silver colorations. Schnauzers have a moderate shedding coat that requires regular grooming, including brushing, stripping, and occasional trimming.
12. Giant Schnauzer
Height: 23.5-27.5 inches (60-70 cm)
Weight: 65-90 pounds (29-41 kg)
The Giant Schnauzer is a large and robust breed of dog that originated in Germany. The breed was developed by crossing the Standard Schnauzer with larger dogs like Great Danes and Bouvier des Flandres.
Giant Schnauzers are intelligent, loyal, and protective. They make excellent guard dogs and are highly trainable. They have a calm and composed nature but also possess a high energy level, requiring regular exercise and mental stimulation.
13. Wirehaired Dachshund
Height: 8-9 inches (20-23 cm)
Weight: 16-32 pounds (7-15 kg)
The Wirehaired Dachshund's coat is different from a normal Dachshund due to genetic variations. Both varieties of Dachshunds, wirehaired and smooth/longhaired, can be born within the same litter. The difference in coat type is determined by a gene called the wirehair gene.
When a Dachshund inherits this gene from one or both parents, it results in a wiry and coarse outer coat, with a dense and soft undercoat. This unique combination of hair textures gives the breed its unique appearance.
14. Otterhound
Height: 24-27 inches (61-69 cm)
Weight: 66-115 pounds (30-52 kg)
The Otterhound is a tall dog breed with exceptional scenting ability and webbed feet. It has a rich history dating back to medieval times in England. The dog is believed to have descended from several breeds, including rough-coated French, Bloodhounds, and other scent hounds.
Originally bred for hunting otters, the Otterhound played a crucial role in controlling their numbers. Their dense, water-repellent double coat and strong, muscular body made them well-suited for this purpose.
15. Spinone Italiano
Height: 22-27.5 inches (56-70 cm)
Weight: 61-85 pounds (28-39 kg)
The Spinone Italiano has a slightly rough outer coat that provides excellent protection against harsh weather conditions. The coat is typically longer on the eyebrows, mustache, and beard.
The coat comes in a variety of colors, including solid white, white with orange markings, white with brown markings, and roan patterns. The dense undercoat provides additional insulation and helps keep the dog warm during colder seasons.
Petjurni Team
