Other names/Nicknames:
- None
Country/Date of origin:
- England
- 1700′s
Height:
- up to 15 1/2 inches
Weight:
- 16 to 18 pounds
Personality:
- The arch-typical terrier.
- Always on the go.
- Extremely energetic.
- The quarrelsome nature of the Fox Terrier does not make it suitable for families with other pets.
- Intelligent but often difficult to train because it has self-appointed jobs to do that may conflict with your agenda. His own schedule will invariably take precedence.
History:
There are two varieties of Fox Terrier: Smooth and Wirehaired. Until recently, the two coats were shown as varieties of a single breed. The Smooth Fox Terrier predates the Wirehaired variety by about 20 years. The old Black and Tan Wirehaired Terrier was liberally crossed with Smooth Fox Terriers. This was done to get the predominately white color that hunters wanted to protect their dogs from savaging by hounds, which often got dark colored terriers confused with fox or other vermin. The Fox Terrier became one of the most recognized dogs in the world because the British took it with them wherever they went. Smooths were shown at the very first organized dogs shows. In fact, some of those early shows were for Fox Terriers only. The breed in both varieties were founding stock when the American Kennel Club (AKC) was formed.
Body Type:
- A sturdy, rough terrier that is a dog of sharp angles.
- Whiskers and beard are trimmed to accentuate the square look.
- Button ears are not altered.
- Erect tail is docked.
Coat:
- Double, weatherproof coat.
- Outer hairs are hard and wiry without any tendency to curl.
- Undercoat is soft and insulating. Professional grooming required.
- White must be the predominate color, so the terrier can be seen and distinguished during the hunt from a fox or badger.
- Markings are black, tan, or ginger.
- Color patterns on the Wirehaired Fox Terrier are often different from those occurring on the Smooth Fox Terrier.
Health and Wellness:
- Tetralogy of Fallot.
- Ectopic ureter.
- Legg-Perthes disease.
- Idiopathic epilepsy.
- Atopy.
- Glaucoma.
- Skin tumors.
What you should know:
- A veritable barking machine.
- Fox Terriers have won Best In Show at the Westminster Dog Show more times than any other breed.
