What was the primary functional goal shaping the Wire Fox Terrier's creation?

Answer

Creating a tenacious dog capable of navigating tight confines to flush out quarry.

The fundamental reason for developing the Wire Fox Terrier was rooted in the practical demands of the English countryside, specifically fox hunting. Hunters required a dog tenacious enough to follow a fox into its underground lair—a process known as going to ground. This meant the dog needed to be compact, sturdy, and bold enough to confront a trapped animal in confined, dark spaces and successfully flush the quarry out. Every physical aspect, including the coat and conformation, was molded by this necessity for functionality in subterranean environments.

What was the primary functional goal shaping the Wire Fox Terrier's creation?
evolutionDogTerrierWire Fox Terrier