Smooth Fox Terrier

What do you get when you combine energy, intelligence and high performance with a handsome face and athletic body? It’s the Smooth Fox Terrier! Originally bred for fox hunting, this cheerful dog is bright, brave and always ready for your next adventure together. They’re happiest when they’re on the go, especially with the people they love most. (That’s you!) And if you’re a bit of a socialite, you’ve met your match with this breed. Smooth Fox Terriers have rarely met a human they didn’t like, so you’re sure to make a few new friends on your outings together.

Smooth Fox Terriers are small dogs with strong, sturdy, athletic bodies. Their tapered V-shaped heads are ideal for sticking into fox dens, just as they were bred to do, and their short, high set tails have a cheeky pertness about them. They have a perpetually inquisitive expression thanks to their high set, folded ears and intelligent eyes.

Their feathered coats may be various shades of gold, from light to dark. As they age, some Golden Retrievers even develop a wise white-golden hue across their face.

1. Ears Smooth Fox Terriers have small triangular ears that are set high on their heads and fold forward with the tips hanging close to the cheek.
2. Eyes Fox Terrier eyes are somewhat small, dark in color and deep set with a lively, intelligent expression.
3. Nose Their muzzle is long and tapered with a black nose.
4. Coat Length Smooth Fox Terriers have thick, smooth coats (no surprise there!) that's flat, stiff and short.
5. Coat Color The coat of a Smooth Fox Terrier is predominantly white with black, tan or both black and tan markings.
6. Tail The Fox Terrier tail is strong and set high. The AKC breed standard calls for the tail to be docked. Docking involves cutting a portion of the dog’s tail off when they are puppies. Veterinary groups along with many U.S. states and countries have banned this procedure due to medical and behavioral reasons. If you are interested in this procedure, schedule a consultation with your veterinarian.

Active, intelligent, gregarious and inquisitive—that’s the Smooth Fox Terrier. There’s a lot of energy packed into that little body. These dogs often express themselves in comical and entertaining ways, like burying underneath a pile of cushions with nothing but a cute, waggy tail sticking out. They adore people and would do anything to please you—but with a strong prey drive, they’ll quickly abandon you to give chase if a critter scurries by.

Some of these qualities can get the Fox Terrier in trouble, especially in a multi-pet home. With their energetic personality and strong hunting instincts, they’ll need considerable training on order to resist chasing your cat or other small pets; they may do best in a home without them. They also don’t get along particularly well with other dogs unless properly socialized. If you’re adopting an older Smooth Fox Terrier, it might be too late to temper these tendencies. If you’re bringing a Fox Terrier puppy into the household, the expression of these traits can be kept in check through early socialization (exposure to new people, pets and experiences) and training.

Thankfully, though, this feisty attitude towards other animals doesn’t apply to humans. With people, they’re usually lively, engaged and eager to please. They won’t typically bite a person unless they’re cornered and feel like they’re in danger. A Smooth Fox Terrier puppy starts out quite vocal when it comes to barking and, unlike some other breeds, they won’t grow out of it. To keep this from becoming a nuisance, consider training to help curb the barking from a young age.

Training is typically easy for a Smooth Fox Terrier thanks to their intelligence, so this is likely to be a great bonding and rewarding experience for both of you.

Raising a Smooth Fox Terrier dog is rewarding, but it won’t always be easy. With their sharp intellect and abundant energy, they can turn to troublesome digging or stealing food from the dinner table if healthy outlets for these traits aren’t provided. To stimulate their minds and bodies, daily exercise and consistent training are an absolute must. On the other hand, their grooming needs are pretty low—just schedule in a weekly brush to keep their coats clear of dead hair.

Grooming

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Smooth Fox Terriers are relatively low maintenance in the grooming department, so they’re easy to keep in show dog shape. These smooth-coated pups have short, thick hair that sheds minimally throughout most of the year but somewhat heavily when the weather changes during the spring and fall. To minimize shedding, use a rubber slicker brush or a grooming glove to remove excess shed fur. Regular brushing should be done once a week for most of the year and every other day during their seasonal shed. Fox Terrier dogs are pretty easy to keep clean; you should only need to bathe them once every four to six weeks. If they somehow find themselves in the middle of a mud puddle between regular baths, just take them in, towel them off then let them dry; most of the dirt will fall right off. You can always keep them smelling like roses with a dog cologne . Their nails need to be trimmed about every two weeks (assuming they haven’t already been worn down by exercise). When you hear them tapping on your hardwood floor then it’s time to get the clippers out. Dental hygiene is also important for your Smooth Fox Terrier’s health, so aim to brush their teeth daily. Take them to the vet once a year for a dental check-up and professional cleaning, too, to be doubly-sure their mouths are in good condition. Your Smooth Fox Terrier’s ears can get a build up of wax or debris, which can cause them discomfort and infections. Check them regularly for redness, swelling and debris, and call your vet if you notice anything unusual. They may recommend cleaning your dog’s ears .

Training

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The Smooth Fox Terrier dog breed is smart, attentive and eager to please, which makes them wonderful students. They do have an independent streak, however, so their trainers (that’s you) need to be confident, clear and consistent. Training for Smooth Fox Terriers should begin early on; the sooner you begin, the better. Start your puppy on the right paw once you get them home with a puppy training 101 class that teaches them the basics, like sit , stay and come and how to walk nicely on a leash . With their strong prey drive, it’s best to train them in a place with few distractions so they’re better able to focus. It’s also well worth spending time on socialization training with your pup. This gets them accustomed to meeting and greeting people and other dogs who’ll they encounter on almost every adventure. Because these dogs are such enthusiastic learners, they’re always paying attention and picking up on behaviors—even when you’re not intentionally trying to teach them. That means you have to be deliberate and consistent with your training at all times, including when you’re just hanging out at home. Make sure to keep any house-rules in action, even during playtime, or you may end up with the contents of your laundry hamper scattered about the living room. Like other breeds, the Smooth Fox Terrier responds best to positive reinforcement (rewarding good behavior with treats, toys and praise). So go ahead, let your pup know when they’ve been a very good dog, and always have a few training treats close at hand. Training your Smooth Fox Terrier is a daily commitment because they are quite stubborn and are likely to pick up bad habits that are hard to shake. So keep training consistent, frequent and interesting, especially if you like the unchewed look of the legs on your dining table.

Diet

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Smooth Fox Terriers are very good eaters (and not terribly picky) so they can easily thrive on high-quality commercial dog food , as long as it’s complete and balanced and tailored for their age (puppy, adult, or senior), weight and activity level. Most young and active dogs require a bit more protein, but consult with your vet on what the best diet and feeding schedule is for your fur baby. To ensure the food is nutritionally complete and balanced, look at the bag to see if it meets the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This non-profit organization is responsible for setting quality, safety and nutritional criteria for dog food in the US; high-quality kibble will meet these standards and provide your dog with the nutrition they need to stay healthy. Treats are an absolute must (at least according to your dog). Since Smooth Fox Terriers, like most dogs, are highly motivated by food, treats will keep them focused during training sessions. You’ll also need to keep some around to encourage positive behaviors throughout the day. But be careful not to overfeed them. While extra calories can be burned off during exercise, too many treats will turn your Smooth Fox Terrier into a chubby pup, leading to a risk of health issues like heart disease.

Exercise

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Smooth Fox Terriers have a high energy level, which means their exercise needs are considerable. Ideally, they’ll get at least two hours of moderate to vigorous activity per day. The good news is that this exercise can take practically any form: They love to swim, run, play and explore, so you can take your pick! Hiking is another great choice, but only on leash. Smooth Fox Terriers are known for their speed and hunting abilities, so if they smell or see a squirrel, mouse, rabbit or any other interesting critter, they’re likely to give chase. Don’t risk them running off into the woods—keep them on leash and skip the high drama of a pursuit. Thanks to their history of hunting fox, this tenacious breed also excels at digging. If you’re looking for a little help in the garden, you’ve found the ideal companion. But if you like to keep your flower beds nice and tidy, it’s best to channel that energy into something more productive, like nose work, agility events and other dog sports.

Environment

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With their high energy and loving nature, Smooth Fox Terriers are the perfect match for an active family, and they are great with children. But terrier breeds do tend to guard their resources, so make sure kids know to respect the dog’s space, especially when your pup has food or toys. The Smooth Fox Terrier’s love of people also extends to those who aren’t family members. Whenever you have guests over, your dog will welcome your visitors with lots of love and kisses, like they’re seeing an old friend for the first time in years. Unfortunately, this love doesn’t apply to other pets. They can often get rowdy with other dogs in the household and may chase smaller pets. If you have gerbils, guinea pigs or rabbits in your home, it’s best to look for another breed. If introduced to other dogs and cats while they’re still a puppy, Smooth Fox Terriers can learn to adapt, especially with other dogs of the opposite sex. The Smooth Fox Terrier dog breed needs space to run around and play, so they’re best suited to a single-family home with a large yard. They can adapt to an apartment, but only if they’re provided with plenty of exercise every day. Otherwise you’ll end up with a bored, restless dog who burns energy by chewing up your furniture. If outdoor activity is out of the question because of inclement weather, entertain them with some interactive toys .

The Smooth Fox Terrier lifespan typically ranges from 12 to 15 years, though some have been known to live even longer when well cared for. Overall, they’re a very healthy and hardy breed, though there are a few potential health problems to look out for. Thanks to good breeding practices, many of these issues are less common, but there’s still a chance your dog could inherit one of the below:

Be familiar with potential health problems so you can recognize and treat them quickly.

1. Patellar Luxation Luxating patella is the condition in which the kneecap slips in and out of place. It can be common in small breed dogs. If you notice your pet lifting one of their hind legs while running or kicking their leg out to the side, this could indicate patellar luxation. Mild cases, which usually resolve themselves, are typically treated with pain medication and joint supplements, but surgery may be needed in severe cases.
2. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia : Hip and elbow dysplasia are potentially inherited diseases that affect the joints and typically result in arthritis. These conditions can be treated through both surgical and non-surgical methods. Non-surgical treatments may include pain medication, joint supplements, weight management and physical therapy.
3. Heart Valve Disease Another inherited condition that breeders often screen for is heart valve disease. With this condition, the heart valves in older Smooth Fox Terrier dogs start to weaken and deform, which strains the heart. Often, the first sign is your veterinarian detecting a heart murmur on routine physical examination. In that case, your vet will likely refer you to a veterinary cardiologist for an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to determine the cause.
4. cataracts ems : Smooth Fox Terriers, especially older dogs, may be at risk for developing eye problems such as cataracts , glaucoma and primary lens luxation . These conditions could lead to blindness unless treated with eye drops or surgery. If your pet is having red, cloudy or bulging eyes; rubbing at the eyes; having ocular discharge; acting as if they are in pain; or running into things, see your veterinarian immediately.
5. hand signals eafness can be congenital (inherited at birth) or acquired (as a pup ages), and can affect Smooth Fox Terriers. While there is no cure, deaf pets tend to do well and can be taught hand signals to help communication with their pet parents.

The Smooth Fox Terrier breed originated in 18th century England, where they were bred for fox hunting. Likely a mix between the now-extinct Smooth Black and Tan Terriers,Bull Terriers,BeaglesandGreyhounds, these dogs were prized by hunters for their speed, intelligence and tracking abilities. Their unique V-shaped head also helped during the hunt; it was perfectly shaped to enter a fox den.

Breed standards for Fox Terriers have been in place for more than a hundred years. These guidelines describe ideal Fox Terrier characteristics including height, weight and color in addition to ear, eye, tail and head shape. The standards were first set by England’s Fox Terrier Club upon its inception in 1876.

It didn’t take long for the Fox Terrier dog breed to make its way to the United States; they were in the country by 1879, and theAmerican Fox Terrier Clubwas founded soon after in 1885. The Fox Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in the same year and is part of the Terrier group. In fact, the American Fox Terrier Club was the first specialty breed club to become a member of the AKC.

For many years, Smooth Fox Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers were treated as variations of the same breed. Though they’re similar in name, stature and ability, we now know that they developed independently from one another. In 1985, the AKC formally recognized this fact and declared them to be two separate dog breeds. The breed standards for both Smooth Fox Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers are maintained by the American Fox Terrier Club to this day.

While the breed enjoyed considerable popularity in the UK, they remain relatively unknown in the US; the Smooth Fox Terrier currently ranks 123rd out of the AKC’s 197 recognized dog breeds. Despite this lack of appreciation, these charming dogs make wonderful family members. The cost of a Smooth Fox Terrier puppy usually runs between $1,500 and $2,000. For this price you’re getting a dog who’s been screened for health and behavioral issues and may even come with papers. You can find reputable breeders through theAKC website. You could always consider adopting a Smooth Fox Terrier, too. Reach out to a rescue organizations, keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter, or searchChewy’s database of adoptable dogsin your area.