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Breed Characteristics
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Smooth Fox Terrier
| Other Names | Fox Terrier, Fox Terrier Smooth Coat |
| Nicknames | Foxie, SFT, Smooths |
| Country of Origin | Great Britain |
| Weight | Males: 15 - 20 lbs. (7-9 kg) Females: 13 - 18 lbs. (6 - 8 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 14 - 16 in. (36 - 41 cm) Females: 13 - 15 in. (33 - 38 cm) |
| Coat | The Smooth-haired fox terrier has a coat that is soft to the touch, close and thick. They shed, but not excessively so. Dead and shed hairs should be removed with regular brushing, especially during moulting events in the late spring and summer. |
| Colour | The coat is predominately white with black or brown markings. |
| Litter Size | 1 - 4 average of 2 |
| Life Span | 12 – 15 years. Although many have been known to live much longer. |
| Origin & History | The Fox Terrier was developed by crossing ancient Dachshunds, English Hounds, and later the Fox Hound and Beagle. It is one of the oldest terrier type dogs, originating in the British Isles in the 17th century. It was used by farmers who needed dogs to help get rid of the animals that would prey on the farmers stock, such as fox and rats and other small vermin. The Fox Terrier would find the animal in the ground, relentlessly digging, barking, growling and lunging until it harassed the animal out of its den where the hunter could then kill it. The Fox Terrier came in both a smooth coat and a wirehaired coat and both were considered the same breed for many years. The Wirehaired Fox Terrier was bred by crossing in the rough coated Black and Tan Terrier, for use in rough country, its coat being less vulnerable to damage than that of the Smooth Fox Terrier. The first standard for the Smooth Fox Terrier was established in 1876, separating it from the wirehaired dogs. However, they are still considered the same breed with different coat varieties by some clubs, but have been separated in the United States since 1984. Both the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wirehaired Fox Terrier were recognized by the AKC in 1885. Some of the Fox Terrier's talents include: hunting, tracking, watchdog, agility and performing tricks. |
| Personality | The Smooth Fox Terrier is a brave and bold terrier. It is cheerful, lovable, enthusiastic and playful, especially with children. Affectionate, very devoted and loyal with the family, it truly enjoys its company. Because of its strong hunting instincts, the Fox Terrier will also hunt and possibly kill other none K-9 animals, such as rabbits and birds, if given the chance. Keep this breed properly leashed or in a completely enclosed area, because the Fox Terrier likes to go off and explore. If the Fox Terrier is properly socialized and introduced it can get along just fine with other dogs. Very intelligent, it can be taught to perform tricks. This is a relatively dominant, very high-energy dog that can become stressed and frustrated without the proper type and amount of exercise, both mental and physical. It not only needs its body exercised but its mind as well. It is paramount you are this dog’s 100%, firm, consistent pack leader. If the dog has meek owners, and they allow this terrier to take over the home, developing Small Dog Syndrome, it will begin to display varying degrees of behavior issues. The issues may include, but are not limited to, dominance challenges, guarding objects or places or even its own food from the owner, excessive barking, jealousy, separation anxiety, destructiveness, dog aggressiveness, willfulness, growling, snapping, biting, untrustworthiness with kids and sometimes adults. It may become ready to charge at all times, scrappy and impulsive, as it attempts to defend ITS top position in the alpha order. These are not Fox Terrier traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way the dog is treated by the people around it. These behaviors can be corrected as soon as the dog's instincts are met: stable, firm, consistent rules to follow, limits as to what it is and is not allowed to do, along with a daily pack walk or jog. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are very few congenital disorders that the smooth fox hound suffers from, though some non-lethal ailments have popped up in a few Breeding lines. Deafness: Dogs that are nearly all white have a somewhat high incidence of deafness. |
| Grooming | The short coat of the Smooth Fox Terrier is easy to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. This breed is an average shedder, blowing the coat twice a year. |
| Exercise | This breed needs to be taken on a daily, long walk or jog. If it is possible, these dogs will love to run free in a safe area. Keep your dog on a leash if there are small animals around. The urge for these dogs to hunt is strong and they are likely to take off chasing a small animal. |
| Other Considerations | The Fox Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. These dogs are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard. Notable Smooth-haired Fox Terriers; Nipper, mascot of HMV and RCA; some commercials featured him portrayed as a smooth fox terrier, though the original one was a Jack Russell Terrier mixed breed. Snitter, protagonist from the novel The Plague Dogs, written by Richard Adams Titina, travelled with Umberto Nobile on Airship Norge and Airship Italia Skip, from the book My Dog Skip by Willie Morris (played by a Jack Russell Terrier in the film of the same name) Dash, seven consequent dogs (among them, six smooth fox-terriers) of Sir Aurel Stein, who accompanied him in archeological expeditions to Xinjiang, Iran and other countries in the early 20th century |
