Fox Terrier

This sweet, peculiar-looking doggie is a happy paradox. As much as he can be affectionate, sociable and play with children, he can be aggressive, fight with his peers and push children away if he doesn't feel respected in his environment. His rather aristocratic side sometimes makes him a slightly capricious and snobbish dog. He is an outstanding hunting dog and also an excellent companion dog as long as that the master is ready to invest himself entirely in his dog and respect him in all his integrity.

Height 36 to 41 cm
Weight 6 to 8 kg
Life expectancy 13 to 15 years
Hair Loss Low
Excercise Need High
Home country United Kingdom (UK)

Quick Overview of the Fox Terrier

Temperament

  • Agile and lively
  • Intelligent
  • Small aristocratic side
  • Outstanding courage

Appearance

  • Lively silhouette
  • Good bone structure
  • Great strength
  • Hard or smooth hair

Health

  • Excellent lifespan
  • No particular pathology

Temperament of the Fox Terrier

This small, agile, lively and very intelligent dog has a character that allows him to stand up to other dogs, even those that are bigger than him.

He has a small aristocratic side, he does not mix with just anyone and always chooses the best for himself.

The Fox Terrier has a fiery temperament. His ardour and jealousy are legendary and he will stop at nothing.

In spite of this, he remains an affectionate dog with the family and loves children if they are able to respect him.

He is an excellent warning dog and pest hunter.

fox-terrier personnalité

Breed Appearance

fox terrier

His lively and spirited silhouette is endowed with good bones and great strength.

All these characteristics are entirely concentrated in this small volume. Standing, the Fox Terrier looks like a miniature hunting horse.

His gait often gives him the reputation of being pretentious and slightly snobbish.

Height

Between 37 and 41 cm (14.57 to 16.14 inches) for the male
Between 36 and 39 cm (14.17 to 15.35 inches) for the female

Weight

Between 7 and 8 kg (15.43 to 17.64 pounds) for the male
Between 6 and 7 kg (13.23 to 15.43 pounds) for the female

Color

His color must be predominantly white. It may be single-colored, all white, or it may contain black or red spots.

Hair

His hair is hard or smooth depending on the category.

Morphology

His head has a flat and narrow skull leaving an impression more elongated than broad.

His eyes are small dark balls with an intelligent expression.

His drooping ears are small and form a v-shape. His nose is black. His amputated tail is carried cheerfully and set high, it should not be curled or bent over the back.

According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 3, section 1 and is #169

Characteristics of the Fox Terrier

Does this dog suit your lifestyle?

Every dog breed has its own characteristics. However, the actual character of a dog can vary from one to another within the same breed.

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Life in an apartment
Good first dog
Tolerates solitude
Tolerates cold weather
Tolerates hot weather
Affectionate
Friendly with children
Friendly with strangers
Friendly with other animals
Hair loss
Drooling level
Easy to care for
Robust health
Easy to train
Intelligent
Tendency to bark
Tendency to nibble
Protective
Instinct to hunt
Adventurous spirit
Energy level
Level of intensity
Need for exercise
Playful

Price and monthly budget

Price you can expect to pay for a Fox Terrier puppy: between 600 € / $ 1 / £1 and 1000 € / $ 1 / £1
These prices are indicative and may vary from breeder to breeder
Average monthly budget for a Fox Terrier: 80 € / $ 1 / £1
The monthly budget includes the average expenses for food and hygiene products (grooming, anti-parasite...)

Tips About this breed

This superb animal with a special physique is unique at all levels. The impressive sculpture of his fur, which requires several hours of maintenance, as well as his strong character make him an extremely unique dog.

He is small, but his speed and aristocratic temperament make him a dog which requires time and a lot of patience.

He is an excellent dog as long as you are willing to invest in his education and maintenance.

The Fox Terrier is not suitable for all types of owners. First of all, he is a dog that prefers indoors, especially if he has a smooth coat.

Secondly, his legendary jealousy means that he doesn't really like other dogs, and that cohabitation is practically unthinkable, as he tends to fight with his fellow dogs.

Thirdly, he has a strong temperament requiring a firm and rigorous early education.

Fourthly, his fur and appearance require hours of special maintenance.

Health of the Fox Terrier

Whether smooth or wire-haired, the Fox Terrier is a hardy and robust dog with excellent lifespan.

The wire-haired dog can brave temperatures while the smooth-haired one sometimes fears the cold.

Neither category has any particular pathology. In general, he is in good health and lives a very long time.

GROOMING

Obviously, the Fox Terrier requires a little more special maintenance. The appropriate grooming depends on whether the Fox is a family or show dog. Since his coat is duly trimmed, a minimum amount of time must be devoted to this dog.

The family Fox Terrier requires less strenuous grooming than the show dog, but the habit of shearing the dog is difficult to acquire and will take several hours of practice. His maintenance must be regular.

Trimming can always be done by a professional, but the costs related to his maintenance is something to consider.

The show Fox Terrier requires daily maintenance in order to maintain his hair at the desired length. Stripping (hair removal with a knife comb) and trimming (daily carving work) are the two operations necessary for special show grooming.

A professional is required, but show dog breeders often do the grooming themselves, having acquired the necessary experience over the years.

Grooming this breed requires focus, time, patience and a lot of practice.

History of this breed

Probably a cross between a Bull Terrier, Beagle and Foxhound, the Fox Terrier was born on the borders of England and Scotland in the 16th century.

There are two categories of Fox Terriers, the wire-haired and smooth-haired Fox Terrier. Both varieties are identical except for their coat.

The only difference between the two categories is the smooth or hard coat. Breeding was separated towards the end of the 19th century in England.

His name Fox Terrier comes from the fact that he accompanied fox hunters, hence his name Fox meaning fox and Terrier for the dog's ability to hunt the animal directly in its burrow. He is also known as Foxy, which means "wily".

The Fox Terrier Association was founded in 1875 to promote the breed. The first terrier registered at that time was called Foiler or the old foiler.

The standard was established the next year. Following the creation of this association, the Fox Terrier became very popular and much in demand. Some less scrupulous breeders took advantage of this demand and harmed the breed by creating more hyperactive and aggressive specimens.

This trend caused a bad reputation and the breed almost became extinct because the Fox Terrier had become rare and impossible to find.

Fortunately, following this threat of extinction, conscientious breeders took matters into their own hands and succeeded in restoring the breed's true letters of nobility.

The Fox Terrier has regained his exceptional fearless, balanced and benevolent temperament as well as his superb appearance.

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