Wire-Haired Dogs: 17 Breeds That Make Great Companions
Wire-haired dog breeds have a coarse, short coat that feels harsh and bristly. It's also described as broken-coated. Breeds with this coat often have pronounced and characterful beards, mustaches, and eyebrows.
The wire-haired coats were initially developed to offer more insulation and protection for dogs working in harsh and cold terrain. Some dog breeds only have a wiry coat, while others may also have a smooth one.
Here are 17 popular wire-haired dog breeds.
Breed Characteristics
Most wire-haired breeds are terriers, which were developed in the British Isles. And most are energetic, needing lots of exercise. They also may have built-in, instinctual prey drives as they were often used for hunting rodents and other prey.
Wire-haired coats help protect dogs while hunting in rough underbrush. These coats aren't fast-growing but need maintenance to keep a tidy appearance. To preserve the wiry texture, groomers use a unique hand-stripping technique. This time-consuming and technical approach is often best left to the grooming professionals. Clipping the coat is sometimes done for convenience, but this can soften the coat's overall texture over time.
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Wire Fox Terrier
The fox terrier comes in a smooth or wire-haired variety. More commonly found with a coarse coat and beard, they can sometimes be confused with the Lakeland terrier or the larger Airedale. This spunky, fun-loving breed has a lot of typical terrier traits. You can expect them to have a high prey drive, and they tend to be energetic and independent. The wire fox terrier is a bold and loyal companion for a person who is patient, active, and not looking for a lapdog.
Breed Overview
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Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The wirehaired pointing griffon is known for their signature wiry coat and bearded face. They are excellent hunting dogs, both on land and in water, and non-hunters also love the breed for their affectionate companionship. They are generally easygoing dogs but need a family who can fulfill their high exercise requirements and keep them mentally stimulated as well.
They get very attached to their family members and may suffer some separation anxiety, so they are most well-suited for homes where their people will be home more often than not. They will become your shadow and want to spend every moment with their people.
Breed Overview
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Airedale Terrier
Often referred to as the "King of Terriers," Airedales are the largest terrier breed, and they always have a wiry coat. Airedales are known for being smart, independent, energetic, versatile, and full of character. They're often loyal and playful with their family but can be aloof with strangers. They tend to be strong-willed and have a high prey drive, so you might also need to spend a little extra time working on their recall skills.
Breed Overview
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German Wirehaired Pointer
Recognized as a separate breed from their relative, the German shorthaired pointer, the German wirehaired pointer was explicitly developed for their wiry coat, which is water-repellant, insulating, and protective. Their coat is perfect for hunting in cold water, harsh weather, and deep undergrowth.
This breed has unlimited energy and stamina and won't be suited to a home that leads a sedentary lifestyle. They need plenty of exercise and enrichment to prevent problem behaviors from surfacing as a result of boredom. Providing they get plenty of activity, the loyal German wirehaired pointer can make a great family pet. They tend to be eager to please, affectionate, and fun-loving.
Breed Overview
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Border Terrier
These spunky, affectionate, and intelligent small wire-haired terriers originate from Scotland. They have lots of energy and bags of character. Border terriers are up for lots of fun in the great outdoors with their family. Borders aren't without their challenges, however. Like many terriers, they can be stubborn, vocal, and prolific diggers.
Breed Overview
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Brussels Griffon
The Brussels griffon comes in a wire and smooth-coated variety. The coarse-coated version stands out for their rather profuse beard. Although originally bred as ratters in their native Belgium, their unique appearance, loyalty, and confident personalities quickly caught the attention of the aristocracy.
Despite being fun-loving and curious, griffs aren't always known for being remarkably tolerant of young kids. If introducing this breed to a family home, they are best suited to homes with older, respectful children.
Breed Overview
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Dachshund
The enduringly popular dachshund comes in wire-haired, long-haired, and smooth-coated varieties. These low-slung dogs were originally developed in Germany to hunt badgers, often digging them out from their sets. These days, they come in a standard and mini variety, and they're popular worldwide.
Loyal, protective, smart, and snuggly, you're guaranteed a dog with heaps of personality if you get a doxie. They can also be noisy barkers, often have a high prey drive, and aren't always the most tolerant of young kids or strange dogs.
Breed Overview
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Jack Russell Terrier
Most commonly found in a smooth-coated variety, Jack Russells are also often seen with a broken coat. JRTs are small, but they are anything but typical lapdogs. These dogs are known for their incredible smarts, energy, stamina, and determination. They are hardy dogs that can live to a ripe old age. They would suit an active home. Be prepared to work on their high prey drive and propensity for barking.
Breed Overview
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Irish Wolfhound
The tallest of all the AKC-recognized dog breeds, the rough-coated Irish wolfhound is often referred to as a gentle giant. Known for being loyal and affectionate, they are usually very patient and good-natured with children, despite their size.
This giant breed does need more space than your average dog. You'll need to budget for a big food bill each month. They've also retained a strong prey drive and may not be suited to a home with small furries.
Breed Overview
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Scottish Terrier
This iconic wire-haired breed, with a distinctive silhouette and dignified beard, is now more popular in the United States than in their U.K. homeland. Scotties form strong attachments with their family, but they are still independent and strong-willed dogs. You're not going to be getting a lapdog in this little breed.
Some Scotties can be social with other dogs, but they don't always get along. Early and ongoing socialization is important. A typical terrier, this breed has retained a strong prey drive and may not be able to live alongside other small pets.
Breed Overview
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Wirehaired Vizsla
The wirehaired Vizsla was developed in 20th-century Hungary to produce a warmer and more weatherproof coat than their smooth-haired relative. The breed continues to be popular in hunting communities, but Vizslas also make loyal, eager-to-please, affectionate pets.
Vizslas have boundless energy and enthusiasm, and they need an active home that can give them the exercise they need. Known for being chewers if they are bored, they can become destructive around the house and are best suited to a home where they will have company for most of the day since they can be prone to separation anxiety.
Breed Overview
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Schnauzer
The bushy eyebrows and beard of the standard schnauzer are the breed’s trademark. These stately canines possess the intelligence and friendly nature that make them such outstanding companions. They were bred as ratters, herders, guardians, and hunters on farms in Germany. The breed also comes in a miniature and giant variety.
This intelligent breed learns quickly and adapts to their human's needs. Also, this is a highly active dog that needs an outlet for their energy, and they're content when adequately exercised and engaged.
Breed Overview
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Otterhound
A large English dog breed, the Otterhound was bred to hunt in packs. These dogs have distinctive shaggy fur. They are also known for getting along with just about everyone, from strangers and kids to dogs and other pets. They make wonderful companions for families that are active, but need to be kept on a leash or in a fenced-in yard to prevent them from picking up a scent that they want to track.
Breed Overview
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Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher is from Germany, and this “monkey-like” dog has a wiry coat, a short nose, and shaggier fur that makes them look like they have a mane. They’re described as amusing and feisty, with plenty of personality and love. They can be a bit challenging when it comes to training because they could be strong-willed, and because they like to hunt and have a prey drive, they may go after smaller animals like rodents.
Breed Overview
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Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay retriever, or Chessie, is an athletic medium-large dog that originated in the United States. These dogs have boundless energy and never seem to get tired. They need to be with a family that will keep them busy with a variety of physical activities. Also, proper training and socialization is necessary for these dogs, as they can be stubborn and independent. They learn quickly, and are protective and devoted.
Breed Overview
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Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is an ancient breed from southern Europe that can have short and smooth or long and wiry fur. These are very active little dogs that were bred to hunt rabbits. They prefer being in a pack, so they make great family pets and can get along well with other animals as well. They do like to dig, and when they’re outside, they might feel inclined to chase small wildlife.
Breed Overview
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Spinone Italiano
Although the exact origin of the Spinone Italiano is unknown, the breed is from Italy. This is a hunting dog with a strong sense of smell, and they can work in a variety of conditions, with their thick, wiry coat providing some protection.
This is a fairly uncommon breed, known for being sociable, high-energy, and sweet, but with a stubborn streak. They also need to be with an active family that will give them plenty of attention and the chance to get enough exercise every day.
Breed Overview
Breeds to Avoid
If your personality is happiest on the couch or you have very little time to spare, then, in general, most wirehaired breeds might not be suitable for your lifestyle. They are peppy, zippy, and require lots of exercise, with the exception of maybe the Brussels griffon, who can get by with a little less exercise.
A wirehaired working dog breed that doesn't get dedicated outdoor activity might start zooming through your house, digging in your furniture, and tearing up your rugs.
If you're stuck on a wirehaired pooch, then think about getting a senior dog that has slowed down and plays for shorter periods. The great news is that the dog world is so vast that there's likely a better match for people who have a busier lifestyle.
How to Groom Wirehaired Dogs
A wirehaired dog’s coat won’t always look smooth like other breeds, but that’s normal and not something that you should aim to change. Groom your wirehaired companion in a way that will ensure the coat remains healthy and clean.
Here are some general grooming tips for wirehaired dogs:
Stripping: This is the best way to remove dead hair from throughout the coat. It basically means pulling the hair, but it doesn’t hurt your dog if you do it the right way, by grabbing the hairs as close to their roots and then gently pulling them out. This will allow for new, healthy hair growth while maintaining the appearance of this unique coat.
Rolling: You don’t need to strip the whole coat during one grooming session. Instead, you can strip small sections at a time.
Clipping: Don’t strip the hair from sensitive areas on your dog’s body and face. Instead, clip the hair there to keep it at a healthy length.
Brushing: Use a pin brush to comb through your dog’s coat and remove excess hair. Follow this with a medium-toothed comb if your dog’s coat has tangles, and a fine-toothed comb to further smooth it out before finishing with a slicker brush. You can do this weekly.
If you can’t do it all yourself, hire a professional groomer who will know exactly how to make your wirehaired dog look great.
