Small
14 Years
9 Kg
Terrier Dogs
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Lively, Out-Going, Playful
The Fox Terrier is a terrier-type dog originally developed to hunt foxes, vermin, and rabbits. It has its origins in the United Kingdom dating back to the 19th century from a handful of dogs that are descendants of earlier British terriers as well as from other modern terriers of white colours. There are two types of Fox Terriers – the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier. Both types share the same characteristics except the coat and markings. They both share the same facial characteristics but slightly differ in colouration and markings, which can appear black at birth on the head but may lighten as the breed grow older. The most common colour of the Fox Terrier is tan and black. Both types have been very successful in the show ring in the United States, with the Smooth variety winning Best in Show four times and the Wire variety winning fourteen Best in Show titles.
The Smooth Fox Terrier has a predominantly white coat made of straight, hard, smooth, and flat hair. It has an average height of 36-39cms at the shoulders and weighs between 7-8.5kgs. The head is long and wedge-shaped and has dark and moderately small eyes that give a bright and intelligent expression. It has a black nose, small triangular ears that fold forward and has a straight tail that is carried gaily but not over the back. Coat colours are white, white with tan, black and tan or black markings.
All dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
All dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
There are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
There are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
There are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
All dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
All dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
Barking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
Majority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
There are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
All dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Before you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
Fox Terriers were observed by the Romans in England as early as 54 BC and were used by hunters to go after foxes and other quarry into burrows and dens. The earliest known white terrier was owned by Col. Thomas Thornton in 1790 and was named Pitch. However, not much is known regarding the exact origin of the modern Fox Terrier but it is thought that the English Toy Terrier, Old English Bulldog, Beagle, Pointer, and the Dalmatian all played a role in the creation and stabilisation of the Fox Terrier that we know today. It was originally used by hunters together with foxhounds to chase foxes that burrow to the ground by barking at the game for the huntsman to kill. The Smooth Fox Terrier is one of several breeds identified by the Kennel Club as a vulnerable native breed because there are fewer than 300 yearly registrations.
In general, the Fox Terrier is an alert, cheerful, courageous, energetic, out-going, playful, and responsive breed. It makes for an excellent watchdog because of its protective nature. As a fox hunter with a high prey drive, it has a tendency to chase other small animals but early socialisation can help curtail this behaviour. It also has a penchant for digging, owing to its instinctive nature to dig foxes in burrows so it is best not to leave the Fox Terrier alone in the garden. It is a dog with a lot of stamina and energy and is most happy when playing outdoors with the children. When taken for a walk, the Fox Terrier should be kept on a lead especially on busy streets as it has a tendency to run and chase after cats and other interesting small animals.
The Fox Terrier is an intelligent terrier but it does have a stubborn streak and is not easy to obedience train which is typical of all terrier breeds. Training is quite easy but the handler needs to be firm and consistent to get the most out of the breed. It does very well in dog agility trials and flyball games. It has a tendency to bark a lot and dig holes so early training is necessary to help curtail this attitude. Some Fox Terriers are quite dominant with other dogs, especially of the same sex.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is quite easy to groom because it is a generally clean dog. Grooming two times a week using a grooming mitt or a stiff bristle brush will help remove dead hair which helps keep the coat clean and healthy. The coat also dries quickly and does not need hair drying after bathing. Generally, the Smooth Fox Terrier is a lot easier and less expensive to maintain than the Wire Fox Terrier.
The Fox Terrier is a generally healthy breed with a median lifespan of 13 years and 2 months. Like any other dogs, there are a few health issues that are known to affect the breed. Chief among them are:
Both the Smooth and the Wire variety are prone to Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, Wobbler's syndrome, luxating patella, luxating shoulder, and hip dysplasia.
As a true hunting dog with a lot of stamina and energy, the Fox Terrier requires a lot of exercise in order to stay strong and healthy both physically and emotionally. Daily long walks, running alongside a bike on lead, or an hour of play in a secured yard or in a dog park are ideal exercises for this breed. Playing games that stimulate the mind are best suited for the Fox Terrier.
The Fox Terrier has a very protective instinct and will not hesitate in protecting its family members if they are in danger or threatened. It gets along well with children which makes it an ideal family pet. However, early socialisation from an early age is required especially around cats and any other household pets for him to get along with them well. It does not get along well with other dogs especially those that it is not familiar with, but early socialisation and training can help correct this behaviour.
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