Fox Terrier | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Fox Terrier is a breed of small, square-shaped dogs traditionally specialized in burrow hunting. Today fox terriers exist in two varieties – wire-haired and smooth-haired.

Although originally bred as hunters, these dogs will make good companionship to anyone looking for activity.

Good nature, lively mind, playfulness, strong psyche, courage and devotion to one’s “pack” – these are the strengths of the Fox character.

It’s amazing how many conflicting qualities are organically combined in the appearance of a handsome fox terrier.

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The standards for smooth-haired and wire-haired fox terriers are similar in many ways. Representatives of both breeds are medium-sized dogs, characterized by a harmonious, proportionate physique and powerful muscles. They are stocky, but at the same time very elegant, without signs of awkwardness and rudeness. Males reach 37-39 cm at the withers, females are slightly lower – 35-37 cm at the withers.

The main differences between the Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier breed standards are the animal’s weight and, as the name suggests, coat type.

• Head: The skull is flat at the top, slightly narrow. The transition from forehead to muzzle is discreet. The length of the head and the muzzle are the same.
• Jaws: The teeth are strong with full dentition. The jaws are strong. Scissor bite.
• Ears: The ears are small, triangular, of moderate thickness with downward tips.
• Eyes: The eyes are small, round, without a pronounced bulge. The color of the iris is dark brown.
• Frame: The body is compact and well developed. The neck is rather lean, but muscular with a smooth thickening towards the body. The back is short, straight and strong. The kidney is not long, even, of athletic build. The chest is quite deep. The ribs are convex.
• Limbs: The front legs are straight. The shoulders are long, the elbows are directed strictly backward. The hind limbs are strong. The thighs are powerful, elongated. The paws are round, medium in size with dense pads. Camber type fingers.
• Coat: In wire-haired dogs, the root of the hair is lush, stiff, 2-4 cm long. In smooth-haired individuals, the hair is short and dense, close to the body. The color is white with black, red-brown or black spots.

The Fox Terrier has a very friendly and open provision and generally treats everyone well. Whether it is a foreigner or a close friend of the family, the dog will agree with them and will probably try to make friends during the first hour of interaction. Otherwise in the first 10 minutes.

These animals have a huge amount of energy, they love to walk and spend time outside in a variety of games and entertainment, including with other dogs. Due to the large amount of internal energy, as well as a trend in stubbornness, many dog ​​breeders do not recommend offering this breed to inexperienced owners who have never had dogs before.

They are quite intelligent, have internal independence, but it happens that internal instincts and the desire to play and have fun prevail over the mind. This is particularly true if he felt an interesting smell or if he decided to attack the cat. Children are well perceived if they show respect and do not harm the dog.

The Fox Terrier is not particularly morbid, but has a genetic predisposition to certain diseases. This means that, on the one hand, this dog can fall seriously ill and, on the other hand, there are enough healthy individuals among them who visit the veterinarian’s office only to be vaccinated and clean ears.

Typical Fox Terrier diseases:

• Diabetes ;
• Perthes disease (decrease in blood intake to the femoral joint, resulting in necrosis of its head);
• Distichiasis (eye disease);
• Progressive deafness;
• Serious myasthenia;
• Epilepsy.

The Fox Terriers feel good in the house and the apartment, but in an apartment, these small energy dogs need to walk daily with intense games, if not the inability to reject the accumulated energy obliges the animal to commit improper acts.

Care for a Fox Terrier is simple:

• 3 to 4 times a week, paint the hairs of hard -haired animals.
• 1 to 2 times a week, check the condition of the eyes.
• The ears are cleaned once every 14 days.
• The legs are washed after each walk, because they are very delicate.
• Bath when it is dirty.
  • Wire fox terriers are cut 3 to 4 times a year.
  • Smooth fox terriers are brushed once a week.

The history of the origin of the fox terrier is full of interesting events. These dogs were faithful companions of kings, entertained the crowded audience in the circus, were permanent participants in various dog shows.

When fox hunting in England reached its peak in the late 18th century, hunters realized that they needed a dog capable of pulling prey out of their burrow. The result was a smooth fox terrier.

There is no exact information about the first puppies of this breed. But, according to assumptions, the first fox terriers were black and tan. In 1790, a portrait was painted of a certain Mr. Colonel Thornton, in which he was depicted with a dog of this breed.

The breed has changed little since those distant times. Over time, breeding of the breed has led to the emergence of wire-haired fox terriers. The main difference between the smooth-haired and wire-haired terriers was the coat itself, as well as the shape of the head, which was slightly different.

Researchers suggest that, despite the external similarity, as well as the same disposition, the smooth-haired and wire-haired fox terriers have different ancestors. There is an opinion that breeders did not initially show wire-haired terriers to the general public.

In 1876, the first fox terrier club was formed in England. Members of this organization have developed a breed standard, which, despite the fact that more than a century has passed, remains unchanged. True, minor changes were made, but they concerned only the weight of the male, which was allowed to participate in various exhibitions.

A fox terrier named Caesar was the favorite pet of King Edward VII. The dog wore a collar with the inscription “I am Caesar. I belong to the king. ” After the death of Edward in 1910, the dog was very sad, and during the funeral ceremony Caesar with painful eyes obediently followed the owner’s coffin.