The Fox Terrier was looked upon as the epitome of sophistication and class by the English Royals and noblemen. You might have seen it making an appearance in a lot of English movies. But that was a different time, nowadays the Fox Terrier is not so famous but still is regarded as a favorite to win a lot of dog shows.
There are two types of dogs in this breed – The Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier.
The following article will tell you all about the wonderful dogs in this breed. Read on to know more!
Fox Terrier Breed Overview
| Group: | Terrier |
| Size: | Small (15 – 19 pounds) |
| Lifespan: | 10-13 years |
| Best Suited For: | Everyone |
| Temperament: | Loving, intelligent, calm, alert, mischievous and charming |
| Exercise Needs: | Moderate to High |
| Drooling Potential: | Low |
| Grooming Needs: | Low to Moderate |
| Similar Breeds: | Irish Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Border Terrier |
1. Basic Features
There are two types of dogs under the Fox Terrier breed; there is the Smooth Fox Terrier which has a single hard layer of coat and a Wire Fox Terrier which has double layers of coating. Both the dogs weigh almost the same and have similar physical characteristics except for their markings and coat.
The head is long and shaped like a wedge which holds two small dark eyes separated moderately with pointed V-shaped ears.
The Wire Fox Terrier has two layers of coat, the undercoat, and the overcoat. The undercoat is coarse and so dense that the skin is not visible. The overcoat contains tufts of individual hairs that twist. Both the dog types are known to win several dog show competitions.
2. Fox Terrier Origin
The Fox Terriers doesn’t really have an actual date to pinpoint its origins but it was recognized as a different dog breed in the earliest 18th century England. It kept the company of royal families and noblemen of that time.
As hunting became popular, the hunters wanted a dog that would go after preys into their burrows and holes, and the terrier breed was found to do exactly what they wanted to.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is one of the earliest recognized breeds of Terriers and all the other terriers are believed to be have originated from them.
3. The Personality of Fox Terrier
This dog breed is loud and tends to get vocal a lot.
They tend to chase after small animals if not trained properly.
It actively participates in all kinds of activities when it is happy. It used to be a hunting dog and hence all of those abilities shows in the enthusiastic self that it is. The dog is a force to reckon with if it finds a challenge that it deems stepping up to and will chase cats and other such mall animals and vermin.
They are known as an escape artist and would cleverly use their energy and their cleverness in digging holes through your yard to escape or jump a few fences, not a problem for this dog breed.
4. The Fox Terrier Behavior
This dog breed is used to live with and around human presence. This makes it one of those dogs that thrive under human presence and keeping it alone will dampen its spirits and lead to behavioral issues. Its basic hunting abilities will explain why it chases after all kinds of animal that gets its attention.
This dog breed is not recommended for first-time pet owners as this breed a lot of maintenance that includes its health, body and temperamental issues. Their high pitched barks would sometimes make you grit your teeth, hence you should have an experience dealing with such pets before getting one of these.
5. Exercise Requirements
The Fox Terrier is a very energetic breed, an everyday walk won’t be able to satisfy the dog.
It needs at least 30 minutes of vigorous activity.
If you aren’t able to do that then you need to go for at least a long walk around the park and keep in mind never to let it off leash if it’s not trained. You can be sure that the dog will bolt off the moment it finds a squirrel going up a tree or pick up a fight with another dog.
6. Dietary needs
The Fox Terrier likes to eat and it seems to have no control over the quantity of food that it consumes and that may result in an overweight dog and hence You want to avoid that as much as possible. Now when it comes to the quality of food you give your pet, it should be of the best quality whether bought from a store or homemade food.
The food will reflect on the dog’s personality and will show on its body. Avoid giving him a lot of treats during training as it will associate the regularity of the treats given to everyday things and will demand more often.
7. Trainability
This breed of dog is easily trainable. It is known to be a little stubborn but has a tendency to please their owners if treated nicely. The training must be conducted in a confined space as it has the tendency of running off on its own adventures. If not trained from an early age they will develop a misconception of being the rulers of the world.
The Fox Terriers have a mind of their own and training them can often be fun because they are funny and lively.
8. Common Health Problems
The Fox Terrier is generally a healthy breed of dog. If you own one, it is recommended that you feed it properly, brush it more often with brushes made for dogs and take it to the vet for regular checkups.
If you follow all these steps your dog is sure to live a good and long life. Dislocation of the kneecaps and cardiac arrest are common in aging Fox Terrier dogs.
9. Who Should Adopt a Fox Terrier
Any person or a family that is outgoing and active can take up the responsibility of owning a Fox Terrier. They should be ready to contain the energy that this small dog brings along with him.
Though Fox Terriers are not recommended for first-time pet owners and even if they are to get a puppy, it needs to be trained extensively by a proper dog trainer who has experiences with training Terriers.