Breeding in Canada Any breeder advertising purebred puppies must register them with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). It is illegal to sell a so-called purebred puppy without this registration. The Canadian Kennel Club is the purebred dog registry in Canada. Incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act, a federal law under the aegis of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the CKC registers purebred dogs, governs dog shows, trials, and performance events, and advocates on major issues concerning dog owners and dog health and welfare across Canada. Dog shows in Canada vary in number by province and are more numerous during the summer season. There are about fifty shows per year in Ontario, by far the most active province in the conformation scene, and a dozen in Quebec. The point system for obtaining a Canadian Championship is different from that found in Europe and makes it difficult for exhibitors who face little competition at the breed level. It's not uncommon for there to be only one Wire Fox Terrier entered in a show. Working trials are not mandatory for obtaining a Canadian conformation championship, regardless of the breed. Judges are trained and accredited by the Canadian Kennel Club, but each breed club can offer advanced training for its specific breed. Health testing can be recommended by Breed Clubs but are only recommendations, followed or not at the discretion of the breeders who are members of these clubs. Some Fox Terrier breeders who choose to test their breeding stock publish the results in the database of the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), an American organization. This participation is voluntary and only produces partial statistics. The number of Fox Terrier breeders in Canada is experiencing an unprecedented decline. While it is generally not difficult to sell Fox Terrier puppies in Canada, there is very little new blood in breeding, a situation that can be attributed to several factors, notably the previously mentioned difficulty in obtaining a kennel permit or importing breeding stock, but also the challenge of grooming and preparing Wire Fox Terriers for shows. Currently, the Wire Fox Terrier Club of Canada has only 10 breeders for the entire country. This is a highly concerning situation. There are a few breeders who are not members of the club, but the statistics remain alarming.
Founded in 1984, the Wire Fox Terrier Club of Canada's mission is to promote all aspects of the Wire Fox Terrier in Canada. It encourages adherence to the true type of the Wire Fox Terrier as defined in the Canadian Kennel Club Breed Standard, and, to this end, offers assistance to breeders, judges, and new owners. The Club organizes regional and specialty shows for the breed and encourages participation in working trials, agility, obedience, and any other activity for which the Wire Fox Terrier is suited. The Club supports responsible breeding practices, encourages the detection and prevention of hereditary and acquired diseases in the Wire Fox Terrier breed, as well as the responsibility of breeders to address these proven issues ethically.
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