SMOOTH FOX TERRIER

Care

MAIN MENU

The word terrier comes from the Latin word 'terra', meaning 'earth', the job of the terrier being to kill vermin and to worry or 'boot' the fox from its lair

The Smooth Fox Terrier is arguably the smartest terrier bred for this purpose. It enjoyed almost unrivalled popularity just before and after World War II and is always a popular contender in the show ring, though it has been said that the elegance of this terrier has been attained at the expense of its former hunting ability. It makes an ideal family pet.

Origin and history

The Smooth Fox Terrier has been around in its present form for at least 100 years. Before then, almost all terriers that went to earth were known simply as fox terriers.

It was in 1862 at the Birmingham, England, National Dog Show that the breed first made its debut in the show ring. Its ancestors probably lived throughout the English counties of Cheshire and Shropshire. Another possible ancestor is the hound, the Beagle.

Good points

Alert and intelligent family pet
Smart appearance
Useful medium size

Take heed

Needs plenty of exercise
Not entirely suited for apartment living

Size

About 16-181b (7.3-8.2kg) for a dog and 15-17Ib (6.8-7.7kg) for a bitch in show condition are appropriate weights.

Exercise

The terrier was once called 'the little athlete of the dog world' and deserves a chance to live up to that title. It will adjust to a regular trot around the park - on a lead, of course - but deserves the opportunity for frequent off-the-Iead runs, preferably in the country.

General appearance
The dog must present a generally gay, lively and active appearance; bone and strength in a small compass are essentials; but this must not be taken to mean that a Fox Terrier should be cloddy or in any way coarse. Speed and endurance must be looked to as well as oower, and the symmetry of the Foxhound taken as a model. The Fox Terrier, like the Foxhound, must on no account be leggy, nor must it be too short in the leg. It should stand like a cleverly made huntec covering a lot of ground, yet with a short back.

Colour
White should predominate; and brindle, red or liver markings are objectionable. Otherwise this point is of no importance.

Head and skull
The skull should be flat and moderately narrow, gradually decreasing in width to the eyes. Not much 'stop' should be apparent, but there should be more dip in the profile between the forehead and the top jaw than in the Greyhound. The nose, towards which the muzzle must gradually taper, should be blacK.

Tail
Should be set on rather high and carried gaily, but not over the back or curled; it should be of good strength.

Feet
Should be round, compact and not large: the soles hard and to\Jgh; the toes moderately arched, and turned neither in nor out.

Feeding

Recommended would be 6-130z (170-369g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 3,4-1112 cupfuls of a dry, complete food, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to V2 cup of hot or cold water

Grooming

Frequent brushing with a stiff brush. Trimming is required a few weeks before a show, paying particular attention to the inside and outside.

Resources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Home || Small Dogs || Medium Dogs || Large Dogs || Care

Smooth Fox Terrier

Smooth Fox Terrier Puppies

Smooth Fox Terrier Information

Smooth Fox Terrier Feeding & Grooming