Fox Terrier (Smooth)
Terrier

Group:

Terrier

Size:

medium

Lifespan:

10-13 years

Exercise:

moderate

Grooming:

low

Trainability:

easy

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

very low

Area of Origin:

England

Date of Origin:

1700’s

Other Names:

none

Original Function:

vermin hunting, fox bolting

History

In developing the Terriers we know today breeders crossed ancient Dachshunds, the English Hound, and later the Fox Hound and Beagle. One of the oldest terriers, the Fox Terrier was used in the 18th century to hunt foxes in England. Its job was to harass the fox out of its hole. The dog would snap and growl and lunge at the hiding fox until it bolted. They were also very useful ratters. Predominantly white dogs were preferred because they could be more easily distinguished from the quarry in dim lighting. Today the Fox Terrier is primarily a companion dog. The Wirehaired and Smooth Fox Terriers are sometimes regarded as the same breed, although the breed has been separated. Some of the Fox Terrier's talents include: hunting, tracking, watchdogging, agility and performing tricks.

Temperament

This energetic fun loving dog is affectionate and playful. Smooth Fox Terriers are courageous and devoted and make excellent watchdogs, though some have been known to bark excessively. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a keen nose, remarkable eyesight, and staying powers in accomplishing his work. They like to explore so should be kept in a safe enclosed area, and will sometimes even kill birds or small animals if given the chance.

Upkeep

The Smooth Fox Terrier is energetic and cannot be ignored. As an active dog, it will do much to exercise itself given the room. It enjoys a vigorous game or walk, as well as an off-lead outing in a safe area. Even though this breed can live outdoors in a warm climate, it does better living in the house and playing in the yard. Smooth coat care consists of weekly brushing to remove shedding hair. In fact, the smoothes shed more than the wires. Some training of the ears may be necessary as puppies for proper adult shape to develop. The Smooth Fox Terrier is easily housebroken.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The dog must present a general 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 cloggy or in anyway coarse. Speed and endurance must be looked to as well as power and the symmetry of the Foxhound taken as a model. The Terrier, like the Hound, must on no account be leggy, nor must he be too short in the leg. He should stand like a cleverly made Hunter, covering a lot of ground, yet with a short back. He will then attain the highest degree of propelling power, together with the greatest length of stride that is compatible with the length of his body.

Head and Skull:
The skull should be flat and moderately narrow and 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 is seen in the case of the Greyhound. The cheeks must not be full. The jaw, upper and under, should be strong and muscular, should be of fair punishing strength, but not so in any way to resemble the Greyhound. There should not be much falling away below the eyes. This part of the head should, however, be moderately chiselled out, so as not to go down in a straight line like a wedge. The nose, towards which the muzzle must gradually taper, should be black.

Eyes:
Should be dark in colour, small and rather deep set, full of fire, life, and intelligence; as nearly as possible circular in shape.

Ears:
Should be V-shaped and small, of moderate thickness and dropping forward close to the cheek, not hanging by the side of the head like a Foxhound's.

Mouth:
The teeth should be nearly as possible level, i.e., the upper teeth on the outside of the lower teeth.

Neck:
Should be clean and muscular, without throatiness, of fair length and gradually widening to the shoulders.

Forequarters:
The shoulders should be long and sloping, well laid back, fine at the points and cleanly cut at the withers.

Body:
Chest deep and not too broad. Back should be short, straight and strong, with no appearance of slackness. Loin should be powerful and very slightly arched. The fore ribs should be moderately arched, the back ribs deep; and the dog should be well ribbed up.

Hindquarters:
Should be strong and muscular, quite free from droop or crouch; the thighs long and powerful hocks near the ground, the dog standing well up on them like a Foxhound and not straight in stifle.

Feet:
Should be round, compact and not large. The soles hard and tough. The toes moderately arched and turned neither in nor out.

Tail:
Should be set on rather high and carried gaily, but not over the back nor curled. It should be of good strength.

Coat:
Should be straight, flat, smooth, hard, dense and abundant. The belly and under side of the thighs should not be bare.

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

Weight and Size:
Weight is not a certain criterion of a Terrier's fitness for his work - general shape, size and contour are the main points - and if a dog can gallop and stay, and follow his fox up a drain, it matters little what his weight is to a pound or so, though, roughly speaking, 6.8 - 7.7 kg (15 -17 lb) for a bitch and 7.2 - 8.1 kg ( 16 - 18 lb) for a dog in show condition are appropriate weights.

Faults:
Nose: white, cherry or spotted to a considerable extent with either of these colours. Ears: prick, tulip or rose. Mouth: Much undershot or much overshot.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.