Smooth Fox Terrier

ATTRIBUTES: Independent, Friendly, Amusing

GROUP: Terrier Group

ACIVITY LEVEL: Energetic

BARKING LEVEL: Frequent

COAT TYPE: Smooth

COAT LENGTH: Short

SHADDING: Occasional

SIZE: Small

TRAINABILITY: Agreeable

CHARACTERISTIC: Smallest Dog Breeds

Breed Overview

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Ancestry

Terrier

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Origin

England

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Registration

1885

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Size

15½ Inches

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Weight

18 Pounds (Male)

15 - 17 Pounds (Female)

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Expected Life

12-15 Years

Breed Attributes & Qualities

CARING WITH FAMILY +
Independent
Lovey-Dovey
LOVE WITH CHILDREN +
Unwise
Good With Children
BEHAVIOR WITH DOGS +
Unwise
Good With Other Dogs
SHEDDING LEVELS & MANAGEMENT
No Shedding
Hair Everywhere
+
COAT GROOMING STANDARDS
Monthly
Daily
+
DROOLING INTENSITY
Less Likely to Drool
Always Have a Towel
+
COAT TYPE
+
COAT LENGTH
+
FRIENDLINESS
Reserved
Everyone Is My Best Friend
+
LIVELINESS
Only When You Want To Play
Non-Stop
+
VIGILANCE INTENSITY
What's Mine Is Yours
Vigilant
+
ADAPTATION CAPACITY
Lives For Routine
Highly Adaptable
+
OBEDIENCE LEVEL
Self-Willed
Eager to Please
+
STAMINA LEVEL
Couch Potato
High Energy
+
VOCALIZATION
Only To Alert
Very Vocal
+
LEARNING CURIOSITY LEVEL
Loaf
Needs an Activity
+
COLORS
+
PATTERNS
+
CARING WITH FAMILY
Independent
Lovey-Dovey
The warmth and friendliness a dog breed shows towards family and familiar faces can vary widely. Certain breeds may reserve their affection solely for their owner, whereas others are generous with their love treating all acquaintances as if they were their closest companions.
LOVE WITH CHILDREN
Unwise
Good With Children
A breed's ability to remain patient with children's actions and its overall congeniality within the family unit is significant. It's important to remember that dogs must always be monitored when in the presence of youngsters or children not accustomed to dogs.
BEHAVIOR WITH DOGS
Unwise
Good With Other Dogs
The natural inclination of a breed to be amicable with other canines is worth considering. While close observation during initial meetings is essential, certain breeds exhibit a predisposition to harmonize effortlessly with fellow dogs in both domestic and social environments.
SHEDDING LEVELS & MANAGEMENT
No Shedding
Hair Everywhere
The degree of shedding from a dog breed can predict the amount of fur you'll find around your home. Breeds that shed profusely tend to require regular grooming and may provoke allergies, necessitating a routine that includes frequent vacuuming and the use of lint rollers.
COAT GROOMING STANDARDS
Monthly
Daily
The upkeep for a dog's coat, including the regularity of bathing, brushing and trimming, varies by breed. Assess your own readiness both in terms of time and finances, for such maintenance remembering that all breeds will need their nails trimmed routinely.
DROOLING INTENSITY
Less Likely to Drool
Always Have a Towel
The propensity for drooling varies among breeds, if you're someone who prefers a spotless environment, a dog that's prone to leaving dribbles of drool on your limbs or large damp stains on your garments might not be the best fit for your lifestyle.
COAT STYLES GUIDE
Smooth
COAT SPECTRUM
Short
FRIENDLINESS
Reserved
Everyone Is My Best Friend
The extent to which a breed is friendly with unfamiliar faces differs. Certain breeds maintain a cautious demeanor around strangers no matter the setting, whereas others radiate joy and eagerness to interact with any new person they encounter.
LIVELINESS
Only When You Want To Play
Non-Stop
The eagerness for playtime in certain breeds extends far beyond their puppy years. While some dogs retain a zest for active games like tug-of-war or fetch into their mature years, others will prefer a more restful existence content to lounge on the sofa alongside you.
VIGILANCE INTENSITY
What's Mine Is Yours
Vigilant
Different breeds have varying instincts to notify their owners of unfamiliar presences. Such breeds are keenly responsive to perceived threats reacting to everything from delivery personnel to squirrels scurrying outside. Once accepted by their family, these breeds generally grow comfortable with new people entering the home.
ADAPTATION CAPACITY
Lives For Routine
Highly Adaptable
Some breeds adapt to change with ease, smoothly transitioning with alterations in their living environment, noise levels, climatic conditions and daily routines, while others may require more stability in their daily lives.
OBEDIENCE LEVEL
Self-Willed
Eager to Please
Training ease and a dog's readiness to learn can greatly depend on the breed. While some dogs seem naturally eager to please and delight in learning to make their owners proud, others display a more independent streak following their own whims whenever they choose.
STAMINA LEVEL
Couch Potato
High Energy
The required level of physical activity and mental engagement varies widely across dog breeds. High-energy breeds often crave constant movement and mental challenges, thriving on active play and exploration. On the flip side, low-energy breeds tend to be more sedentary content to lounge and nap for most of the day.
VOCALIZATION
Only To Alert
Very Vocal
Frequent
LEARNING CURIOSITY LEVEL
Happy to Lounge
Needs a Job or Activity
High-energy breeds, often bred for specific roles that require quick thinking and adaptability, benefit tremendously from advanced training, problem-solving activities, puzzles and tasks that cater to their innate abilities. Activities that simulate their traditional roles, such as scent work for hunting breeds or agility for herding breeds can provide excellent mental workouts.
COLORS

Description

Registration Code

White

199

White & Black

202

White & Tan

217

White Black & Tan

219

White Tan & Black

220

PATTERNS

.

About The Breed

Renowned as the 'gentleman of the terrier breed,' the Smooth Fox Terrier exudes a spirited and sociable charm, coupled with an insouciant spirit an inheritance from its role in the classic British foxhunts. It shares a close kinship with the Wire Fox Terriers. Indeed, the Smooth variety bears a striking resemblance to these cousins with their wiry coats. These terriers are compactly built, standing no taller than 15.5 inches at their highest point.

One can easily differentiate the two breeds by their cranial shape,the Smooth Fox Terrier sports a more pronounced V-shaped noggin as opposed to its Wire counterpart. The Smooth's sleek fur coat adorns itself primarily in white, accented with patches of black, tan or a blended palette of black-and-tan. These astute and agile hunters carry a build that is robust and well-balanced muscular, yet devoid of any heaviness or awkwardness. Their backline is succinct, and their form symmetrical enabling them to glide with the effortless elegance akin to the steady rhythm of a well-oiled pendulum clock.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN CARING FOR A SMOOTH FOX TERRIER

Holding the title of a dog owner is not just a luxury. It’s a critical responsibility. They require from us the basics - food and shelter at a minimum but they are worthy of so much more. Welcoming a dog into your life necessitates an understanding of the depth of commitment involved in caring for a pet.

Anticipating the Needs of Your Smooth Fox Terrier: Insights and Tips.

Taking a dog under your wing is no small favor; it's a true commitment. These devoted pets count on us for life's necessities such as food and a safe abode, however, they are entitled to a greater level of care.

Health

Health

+

Smooth Fox Terriers typically enjoy robust health and conscientious breeders regularly screen their breeding stock for health issues like patellar luxation and heart conditions. It's wise to brush their teeth frequently with canine-specific toothpaste. Scheduling consistent vet appointments for examinations and managing parasites is essential to promote a lengthy and vigorous life for these dogs.

Health Assessment Recommendations from the Breed's National Association:

  • Patella Evaluation

  • Cardiac Exam

Health

Grooming

+
A thorough grooming session once a week using a dense brush or hound glove is perfect for the Smooth Fox Terrier's compact coarse coat. Monthly baths usually do the trick unless the adventurous spirit of the dog leads to a muddy excavation, then a bath is in order when necessary. It's important to maintain trim nails and pay attention to the ears every week to avoid wax buildup and prevent infections, while brushing their teeth frequently is highly recommended.
Health

Exercise

+
The Smooth Fox Terrier is an embodiment of the terrier's vivacious and athletic character, necessitating significant daily exercise. Frequent lengthy walks, lively ball-chasing sessions in the yard or active playtimes in a secure and spacious enclosure all contribute to keeping your dog both mentally and physically in shape. Always ensure your Smooth Fox Terrier is leashed when outdoors, as their innate prey drive could lead to an unexpected chase.
Health

Training

+
Smooth Fox Terriers bring a blend of courage without unnecessary aggression when it comes to people, perfecting their roles as vigilant guardians of the home. Future owners should note that these canines possess a natural proclivity for excavating, which may impact your garden or green spaces if not properly guided. With a demeanor that's always alert and poised with anticipation, the 'Smooths' serve as top-notch sentinels. Brimming with energy, good humor and a playful spirit, they are adaptable to both urban and rural environments. Containment via a secure fence or leash is advisable to curb their strong temptations to chase new escapades. As they grow, some may tend to display jealousy or show signs of aggression towards other animals, but early socialization through puppy training programs preferably led by a trainer experienced with terriers is strongly encouraged.
Health

Nutrition

+
A premium diet be it from high-grade store-bought kibble or a meal plan crafted at home under your vet's watchful eye will benefit the Smooth Fox Terrier. Tailor the nutritional intake to their life stage pup, prime or past prime. Watchfulness over their food intake is crucial as these dogs can lean towards weight gain. Use treats strategically in training without overindulgence to prevent obesity. Educate yourself on the human foods that won't harm your dog and steer clear of those that will. If concerns about your pet's weight or overall dietary health arise, your veterinarian should be your first point of contact. Always ensure that they have access to clean and fresh water.

Historiography

Although the classic pursuit of foxhunting has been outlawed in England, it was once the hallmark of British high society for many years. Witnessing a traditional foxhunt in full regalia was a captivating spectacle: throngs of equestrians and a cavalcade of hounds, accompanied by the spirited Fox Terriers cascading over the expansive terrains owned by the affluent. These terriers were traditionally carried in saddlebags and set free to pursue the fox into its subterranean hideouts. Once the terriers had driven the fox above ground, the pursuit with horses and hounds would intensify anew.

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