The Smooth Fox Terrier is a vibrant, active breed that draws attention with its eye-catching white coat and perceptive, thoughtful expression. This tiny fidget, which is well-known for being playful, is constantly moving, taking in its environment and interacting with everything in it.
Beyond appearances, the Smooth Fox Terrier is a very intelligent and quick learner. Its bright, questioning eyes reveal a keen intellect and a great desire to communicate with its owners. These dogs are ideal companions for active families because they are not only devoted but also enjoy being the center of attention.
The Smooth Fox Terrier has a hunting dog heritage, which has kept them brave and bold. Its social and affectionate nature, however, makes it equally content to cuddle up with its family after a long day. This breed has a distinct charm that’s difficult to resist, whether you’re drawn to it for its intelligence or its endless energy.
History of the breed
A breed like the Smooth Fox Terrier was created at the end of the eighteenth century. Following the rise in popularity of fox hunting in England, hunters needed a dog to aid in chasing badgers and foxes out of their dens.
Foxes have a long history of hunting foxes.
Since then, not many breeders’ records regarding the evolution of the breed have survived. Still, not much has changed with Smooth Fox Terriers since then. Through crossing, the breed developed over several centuries.
More white pigment has been added to the coloring, and the head shape has taken on the traditional contours that define contemporary people.
These animals are noble and intelligent, and their robust constitution sets them apart.
Fascinating! Edward VII, the King of England, had a fondness for the Fox Terrier Caesar. "I am Caesar" was written on the dog’s collar. The king is my owner." Following the mourning animal in the funeral procession with the rest of the mourning public, the pet was part of the king’s 1910 funeral.
The dog followed everyone in the funeral procession because it was that devoted to its owner.
The Smooth Fox Terrier rose to prominence as a purebred dog in the 1920s. After the detective film "The Thin Man" in the 1930s, they gained popularity as pets.
The role was flawlessly performed by Asta, a television fox terrier, and the breed’s popularity skyrocketed.
Appearance
This breed of dog is medium-sized. She does not have long legs, nor does she have short legs. A short back is also similar to that of a sports horse, with the ability to propel the hind limbs forward with energy and propel the front limbs far forward in proportion to the body’s length.
The primary characteristic of the animal, which is easily regarded as a traditional standard of dog, is its compactness without being burdened by an unattractive physique.
The predominant coloring is white with brown or black spots; this occurs in the absence of them.
The description of a dog is as follows:
- The eyes are dark, medium -sized, planted deep, and located close. Eye expression gives the impression of a smart and energetic animal.
- The ears are small V-shaped. They adjust more to the cheekbones, are not directed to the sides, but on the contrary, to the muzzle, sticking out their part on the cartilage.
- Jaws have a scissor bite, powerful.
- The muzzle is elongated, black nose.
- The tail is strong, high. Usually part of it stops at birth. The tail is an indicator of the dog"s condition – in a fox terrier, it should not bend into a ring or dangle. You can safely say about such a tail that it is a "pistol".
- The fur is straight, smooth, and tight. The fur coat is hard to the touch, the undercoat is thick. The color has a feature – the predominance of white with brown or black spots, or without them. The white color of the dog was valuable because it was easier to detect during the hunt.
Psychology
Fox terriers with smooth hair have very unpredictable temperaments. They enjoy taking walks, are nimble and mischievous, and are constantly on the go. They resemble other breeds of hounds such as Estonian and Russian in this regard.
Because animals are endowed by nature with ringing voices, it is easy to hear them barking during a hunt, even from foxes’ deep holes.
This breed’s pets are gregarious and friendly toward family members, and they bond with their owners fast. Although they get along well with kids, you should always have an adult oversee their interactions to prevent the dog from picking up a hunting instinct while they are playing.
Some people are naturally jealous and don’t want to share their owners’ care with anyone. It is preferable to keep them under supervision when around other animals. A fox terrier can initiate an unprovoked fight with any dog, even a fighting dog, even if the other dog is in a heavier weight class like Amstaff or Ca de Bou.
Although fox terriers are generally calm dogs, it is not advisable to leave them alone with children or other animals.
Interesting fact! The name fox terrier has some ambiguity, and it is not for nothing that their second name is fox terrier. The first reason is clear – "fox terrier" comes from two English words: "fox" – fox, "terra" – "earth". This means that the dog is a good fox hunter. But the second reason for the prefix "fox" in the name, most likely, hides cunning and resourcefulness, thoughtfulness of actions like a fox. Reviews from owners of smooth fox terriers confirm the "fox temperament". When, for example, a dog does not want to follow a command, it can pretend that it did not hear. And to see what is on the owner"s table, it will not stand on its hind legs, as an ordinary dog would do. To do this, the terrier will jump high near the table and remember how the objects of interest to it are located.
Foxes are incredibly sly canines.
It is unsafe to keep a pet in a home with lemmings, ferrets, rabbits, squirrels, degus, hamsters, or guinea pigs. Rodents can be considered dinner by a fox terrier. With cats, friendly contact is frequently made, particularly if they were raised together.
Application
Occasionally, a smooth-haired fox terrier appears as a guard dog and shows its owners how good of a fighter it is. This breed’s independence-loving, occasionally stubborn personality aside, they make great guard dogs.
Fascinating! Despite all doubts, owner reviews suggest that fox terriers get along well with small children. There have been instances where a dog has played a variety of kid-oriented games, such as dressing up dolls, applying makeup, and going to sleep in a crib. The fox terrier gladly supports everything and is always willing to join in on games that kids come up with.
Dogs are incredibly resilient and prepared for action from dawn until dusk since they were originally bred for hunting and herding cattle. Fox terriers love to run around, play, and discover new areas. Those who have an active lifestyle can adopt the dog.
It will not be appropriate to keep such an active dog in an apartment where there are no long walks.
The vitality and vigor of a breed representative at any time of day should be considered when selecting a breed.
Features of care
Certain breeds need to be regularly bathed, trimmed, and groomed in order to keep them clean and healthy. A smooth fox terrier, on the other hand, requires less time to care for.
Just taking a bath when it gets dirty or after rolling in the mud is all that is required. Dogs of this breed have smooth, tightly fitting coats that shed very little.
Counseling! When your pet greets you with enthusiasm, it’s important to keep its claws neat to avoid shin scratches. Trim and file them with a special file on a regular basis to achieve this.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a bright, active breed distinguished by its glossy white coat and keen, questioning eyes. Active families or individuals will find these small, spirited dogs to be excellent companions due to their vibrant personalities. They have an inquisitive and adventurous disposition, making them constantly active and eager to discover and interact with their surroundings. They are a pleasure to be around because of their bright expressions and boundless energy, but they also need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Combing
A terrier’s smooth coat only needs to be occasionally brushed with a hard-bristled brush to maintain the direction of hair growth and remove undercoat shedding. Furminator not required.
This kind of coat kept the animal cool and practically prevented dirt from sticking to it, which was useful when the dog went hunting. Because the top layer of hair is so thick, after bathing, the undercoat cannot dry down quickly enough.
When allowing your smooth fox terrier for a walk in the winter, keep in mind that they will stay dry for a considerable amount of time.
Walking
Because the terrier is prone to chasing anything that moves, it is best to walk him on a leash and wear a harness. Maintaining the fence, which the terrier could not jump, is crucial when keeping them in the yard.
Let him go for a free walk, but be careful—he can get carried away and quickly become lost.
Fox terriers enjoy agility and are naturally inclined to training. They can also execute a large repertoire of commands and tricks.
Soft-coated foxes are simple to teach
Nutrition
A mature, silky-haired fox terrier receives two meals a day. Each dog is different in terms of metabolism and characteristics, so feeding amounts should be customized. They all have unique personalities and levels of activity, just like people. An energetic dog, for instance, will consume more food than a calm one.
Typically, two bowls of dry food suffice. All beneficial trace elements ought to be present in dog food. Dry food definitely has everything you need. When the dog has access to regular food, such as meat, vegetables, or porridge, it is beneficial.
You can alternate feeding times for your dog: dry food in the morning and porridge in the evening, or vice versa, if they are not fussy eaters who do not require dry mixes.
Using a simple test, it’s easy to find out if the dog eats enough. When viewed from top to bottom, the waist should be prominent, but the ribs shouldn’t protrude.
Next, place your hands with your fingers spread downward along the spine. The ribs should not be felt when touching freely, but they do show up when lightly compressed. Conversely, if the dog’s ribs are difficult to palpate, it means it is overeating.
All the necessary microelements should be present in the diet of young animals.
Health
If you plan to purchase a smooth fox terrier puppy, look for a reputable breeder who can give you the parents’ pedigree. Ask your ancestors who lived several generations ago about their physical well-being.
Thus, there is a greater chance of having a healthy and smart pet. Undoubtedly, the price of a puppy with a good pedigree will be significantly higher than the price of a pet with a less known origin.
If the parents of a Smooth Fox Terrier puppy are older than two years old, the puppy’s risk of pathologies will be lower.
Characteristic diseases
In general, Smooth Fox Terriers are a resilient breed free of major health issues. Certain illness indicators don’t show up until the animal reaches adulthood. However, it is crucial to understand which illnesses this breed’s representatives typically experience.
Many disease symptoms do not manifest until an animal reaches adulthood.
The following is a list of the principal illnesses:
- With the predominance of white in color in dogs, deafness is often encountered. If such a problem is detected, the maintenance and training of a deaf dog will require a lot of attention, patience and time. To make life easier, there are many aids, vibrating collars and other devices on the market.
- Older individuals are often predisposed to cataracts. Clouding of the lens of the eye causes difficulties with vision, causing discomfort to the dog. Sometimes it is necessary to resort to the help of specialists to remove cataracts surgically. After surgery, vision is restored.
- A common disease among small breed dogs is hip deformity. It can be confused with hip dysplasia. The disease can be cured surgically, but a good prognosis is also after restorative therapy.
- Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition. In this case, the femur does not fit tightly to the hip joint. Dogs experience pain and limp on one or both hind legs. But you may not notice any signs of discomfort in your pet with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis may develop due to the disease. Veterinary care includes supplements and medications to help relieve arthritis pain, and in some cases, surgery is indicated. It is better not to mate dogs with hip dysplasia, so that the disease is not inherited.
AboutBreed characteristics
Smooth Fox Terriers have a voracious appetite, which can lead to obesity. To keep them in shape, make sure to keep an eye on their diet and give them regular exercise.
A fox with pets should never be left alone; after all, "what, it’s their own fault, let them stay out of it"
This breed’s characteristics include the following:
- There may be difficulties with education, but, despite this, it is recommended to make an effort to train. Visit a special school with your puppy at the dog club in your place of residence.
- You need to be prepared for the fact that fox terriers bark a lot and shrilly.
- You should not leave a fox terrier alone with pets.
- Dogs are very energetic, they will need about 30 to 45 minutes of intense exercise daily. If they do not get the opportunity to burn off their natural energy, they will spend it in the wrong places, turning the home into rubble.
- They are loyal to family members and love to play. But sometimes, smooth-haired fox terriers are too energetic when playing with small children, so their communication should not be left to chance.
- They jump much higher than you can imagine. And they are also ready to constantly dig tunnels and holes under fences – and all this in order to try to escape from the yard and walk to their heart"s content.
Dogs require a good night’s sleep after an active day, and it won’t harm the owners either.
| Breed | Smooth Fox Terrier |
| Appearance | A sleek, white coat with distinctive markings, often black or brown patches, giving it a sharp, lively look. |
| Temperament | Energetic, playful, and highly intelligent, this dog loves to stay busy and can be quite curious. |
| Size | Small to medium-sized, with a muscular build, usually weighing around 15-18 pounds. |
| Eyes | Expressive, intelligent eyes that often seem to be full of curiosity and alertness. |
| Exercise Needs | High energy level; requires regular physical activity and mental stimulation to stay happy. |
| Coat Care | Minimal grooming needed due to its short, smooth coat. Occasional brushing keeps the coat shiny. |
| Good With Children | Generally good with kids, but may need early socialization to ensure a friendly relationship. |
| Lifespan | Typically lives between 12 to 15 years. |
The intelligent, charming, and active Smooth Fox Terrier is the ideal pet for active families looking for a devoted friend. They have a distinct personality in addition to standing out visually with their brilliant eyes and immaculate white coat.
These dogs are perfect for homes that can accommodate their energy levels because of their reputation for agility and love of play. Their curiosity and boundless enthusiasm for life will keep you captivated. They thrive on mental stimulation.
The Smooth Fox Terrier might be a wonderful choice if you’re searching for a dog that can build a close relationship with its owner and is always eager for an adventure. All you have to do is get ready for years of excitement, activity, and a faithful friend.
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