Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison

Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs German Coolie - Breed ComparisonWire Haired Fox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but German Coolie is originated from Australia. Wire Haired Fox Terrier may grow 22 cm / 8 inches shorter than German Coolie. Wire Haired Fox Terrier may weigh 15 kg / 33 pounds lesser than German Coolie. Wire Haired Fox Terrier may live 4 years less than German Coolie. Both Wire Haired Fox Terrier and German Coolie has same litter size. Wire Haired Fox Terrier requires Moderate maintenance. But German Coolie requires Low 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.

german coolie - historyThe German Coolie is misnamed as it is an Australian bred dog and often called the Australian Koolie or Coolie. This Australian breed is more often just called a Coolie. The breed is a typical herding breed and a working dog that needs a job all the time. They have been a favorite of Australians since the late 1800’s when local dogs were bred with British working dogs.

Although all Coolie’s are not the same. Within the breed there is a lot of variation. This is because the Coolie was bred individually for different regions in Australia. In a very different writing the Koolie Club of Australia does not define the Coolie breed on confirmation as all other purebred dogs are defined. Instead the Coolie is defined by ability to work. In light of this most Coolie breeders state that the Coolie is a breed and the variations you see among regions are types within the breed.

As a herding dog, the Coolie brought a lot of skill to the Australian farmers and sheep herders. The Coolie will round up the sheep and bring them back to their enclosure at the shepherd’s command. They are upright, silent, working dogs. Not only do they herd sheep they are important at sheering to “cut out” the sheep or assist in the close quarters of lambing.

In Queensland North and New South Wales, the Coolie is medium boned, tall and agile ready to herd cattle over a long stretch of miles. In the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and the Hunter Valley Region, the Coolie is shorter and thicker in order to be able to get cattle that are lying low out from the gullies and dense bush. The Coolies found in Victoria are the smallest of all.

No matter where they live and work, the Coolie is bred to help the workers there, the farmers, the stockman, and the grazier. All Coolies are adaptable and very agile. They all have a strong willfulness to accomplish what they are asked to do. The ancestors of these various Coolie was the British Collie – a smooth coated, blue merle. This Collie was crossed with the Black and Tan Collie from the Scottish Highlands. It is believed that these are the same Collie breeds that came to Australia to create the Heeler.

The name may come from the German immigrants working in South Australia and unable to pronounce Collie incorrectly they called the dogs German Coolies. There is also a fraction of German breeders who believe that the German Tiger dog was brought to Australia in the 18th century and then when the Collies came they were bred together. Many Coolie breeders have records showing that the breed has been in Australia for at least 160 years. It is also believed that the Border Collie and Kelpie (Blue Heeler) were mixed into the breed at sometime as well.

No bench standard exists for the German Coolie even though there is the Koolie Club of Australia. The mission of the club is to protect, preserve and promote the breed. The Australian Sporting Register was recognizing the Coolies in 2004. They are eligible to participate in the Australian National Kennel Council sanctioned sporting trials. They participate in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria through the individual states sporting register. Here they participate in herding, jumping, obedience, agility and tracking.

Several other recognitions as a herding breed soon followed. The Australian Shepherd Club of America, the American Herding Breed Association, were followed by recognition from others as well. They are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Australia
Height Male:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
40 - 60 cm
15 - 24 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
38 - 58 cm
14 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
16 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Wire Fox Terrier
Australian Koolie - German Koolie - Coulie - German Collie
Colors Available:
White, tan and black
Black, Red, merle
Coat:
Medium length, wiry
smooth and comes in short or medium lengths
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Social
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

german coolie puppy - descriptionWith their strong ancestry among the family of collies and herders, the German Coolie shares the look of collies and shepherds. Even though they differ from region to region and there is no actual standard, they are medium sized dogs with blue or brown eyes or even one of each. The ears are folded over on top when relaxed but they are rigid and straight when he is more alert. The nose is either chocolate or red depending on the color of their coat.

They can have either a long, medium or short coat but most owners want the short coat that is smooth as well. The coat can be one color – red/chocolate or black; Bi – red/white or black/white; Tri – solid black or red with white and brown; Tri merle -merle with white and brown; Merle – red merles and blue merles. Regardless of color, the German Coolie has the look of a collie or German Shepherd.

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.

Children friendliness

german coolie dog - characteristicsYes, they can be very friendly with children is they are socialized and supervised.

Special talents

They have enough stamina to work for 14 hours a day.

Adaptability

They are very adaptable. They can be calm and steady when working a mother and baby lamb and then be able to forcefully move steers, bull, rams or weathers.

Learning ability

The breed is highly intelligent, and their learning ability is excellent because they want to please you.

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.

german coolie puppies - health problemsThis is a relatively healthy breed without many genetic disorders found in purebreds due to the 160 years they have spent fairly isolated and allowing natural selection to take its course.

Blindness/Deafness

In Merle dogs there can be deafness and/or blindness. If you breed a solid to a merle you can eliminate that.

Joint Issues

These are not inherited but rather acquired due to the immense amount of jumping and running.

  1. Allergies
  2. Minor skin allergies are possible in some.
  3. Seizures

Rare but it does occur and can be fatal if not treated

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.

Feeding the puppy

german coolie dogs - caringBreak meals into 3 a day feeding a high quality dry puppy food designed for dogs of his size. 11/2 to 2 cups per day.

Feeding the adult

Break meals into 2 a day feeding a high quality dry adult food designed for dogs of his size.

Points for Good Health

Traditionally good health. Great energy, intensity and devotion to work and owner.

Games and Exercises

This is an energetic dog that loves to work and needs to work. Regular routine exercise is needed daily. He needs to be stimulated mentally and physically. Find him a job. Make sure he knows what you want him to do. They work well with a human partner in games such as agility, tracking, flyball and herding. They need a large yard and a lot of play time. They are not couch potatoes and would be unhappy if they were stuck in a house or apartment

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. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  27. Pyrenean Shepherd vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  28. Queensland Heeler vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  29. German Coolie vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  31. German Coolie vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. German Coolie vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  33. German Coolie vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  34. German Coolie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  35. German Coolie vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. German Coolie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  37. German Coolie vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. German Coolie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  39. German Coolie vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  40. German Coolie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  41. German Coolie vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  42. German Coolie vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  43. German Coolie vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  44. German Coolie vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. German Coolie vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. German Coolie vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  47. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  48. German Coolie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  49. German Coolie vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  50. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds