Do fox terriers shed?
Yes, but how much depends heavily on which coat type you have, and it isn't automatic either way. Smooth Fox Terriers shed moderately year-round with little you can do to change that; Wire Fox Terriers shed far less if properly hand-stripped, but noticeably more if clipped instead.
Two coats, two very different answers
The Fox Terrier comes in two distinct coat types that are often treated as one breed by owners who haven't looked closely: the Smooth Fox Terrier, with a short, flat, dense coat, and the Wire Fox Terrier, with a harsher, broken-textured coat. Shedding behaves quite differently between the two, which makes a single yes-or-no answer misleading.
The Smooth variety sheds in a fairly ordinary way for a short-coated breed — a steady, moderate amount year-round with heavier seasonal shedding as the coat turns over. There's no particular grooming trick that changes this much; it's simply what a short, dense coat does.
Why the Wire coat is a different story
A Wire Fox Terrier's coat is traditionally maintained by hand-stripping — pulling out dead hairs by hand or with a stripping tool rather than cutting them — which keeps the coat's harsh texture and, done regularly, results in noticeably less loose hair around the house than you'd expect from the look of the coat.
Many pet owners choose to have a Wire Fox Terrier clipped instead, since it's quicker and cheaper than stripping. Clipping changes the coat's texture over time, making it softer, and a softer coat sheds considerably more than a properly stripped one. In practice, how a Wire Fox Terrier is groomed affects shedding as much as the coat type itself does.
Managing shedding day to day
Whichever coat type you have, regular brushing helps more than any single product on its own — a Smooth coat responds well to a rubber curry brush a couple of times a week, lifting loose hair before it ends up on the sofa rather than after. A Wire coat benefits from the same routine between professional stripping sessions, since brushing alone won't replace stripping but does keep the coat tidier in between.
If shedding has increased noticeably and doesn't settle with normal grooming, it's worth checking there isn't something else going on — skin irritation, a change in diet, or a health issue can all increase hair loss beyond what's typical for the coat type, and that's a conversation for your vet rather than something to assume is just 'the breed'. A quick check by a vet costs little and rules out anything more than seasonal coat turnover.
Kit for this breed
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Microfibre Pet Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.
From£10.99
Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.
From£13.99
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Common questions
- Which Fox Terrier sheds less, smooth or wire?
- A Wire Fox Terrier that's regularly hand-stripped generally sheds less than a Smooth Fox Terrier. But a Wire coat that's clipped instead of stripped softens over time and starts shedding considerably more, so grooming method matters as much as coat type.
- What is hand-stripping and why does it reduce shedding?
- Hand-stripping is removing dead hairs by hand or with a stripping tool rather than cutting them, which keeps a wire coat's harsh texture. Done regularly, it results in noticeably less loose hair shed around the house compared with a clipped coat.
- Is it bad to get a Wire Fox Terrier clipped instead of stripped?
- It isn't harmful to the dog, but it does change the coat over time — clipping softens the texture and tends to increase shedding compared with regular stripping. It's a reasonable trade-off for owners who prioritise convenience over the traditional coat texture.
- Do Fox Terriers need professional grooming?
- A Wire Fox Terrier kept in its traditional harsh coat generally benefits from a professional groomer experienced in hand-stripping, since it's a skilled, time-consuming technique. A Smooth Fox Terrier needs far less specialist grooming, just regular brushing.
Related
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Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.