Home > Dog Breeds > Smooth Fox Terrier

Smooth Fox Terrier - Terrier


Smooth Fox Terrier

Family:

terrier


Area of origin:

England


Original function:

vermin hunting, fox bolting


Average size of male:

Ht: <15.5, Wt: 17-19


Average size of female:

Ht: <15.5, Wt: 15-17


Other names:

none


  • •••••

    Energy

  • ••••

    Exercise

  • •••••

    Playfulness

  • •••••

    Affection

  • ••••

    Friendliness towards dogs

  • •••

    Friendliness towards other pets

  • •••••

    Friendliness towards strangers

  • •••••

    Ease of training

  • ••••••

    Watchdog ability

  • ••

    Protection ability

  • ••

    Grooming

  • ••••

    Cold tolerance

  • ••••

    Heat tolerance

Picture: Yann Arthus-Bertrand/Corbis |

Smooth Fox Terrier Dogs Available on Petfinder Right Now

See more adoptable Smooth Fox Terrier dogs available on Petfinder

Smooth Fox Terrier Temperament

Energetic, inquisitive, bold, feisty, playful, mischievous, independent and adventurous describe the fox terrier. This breed lives to run, chase and explore. He is usually fairly reserved with strangers and tends to bark and dig.

Smooth Fox Terrier Care

The smooth fox terrier is energetic and cannot be ignored. As an active dog, he will do much to exercise himself given the room. He enjoys a vigorous game or walk, as well as an off-lead outing in a safe area. He does best living in the house and playing in the yard. Smooth coat care consists of weekly brushing to remove shedding hair. In fact, the smooths shed more than the wires.

Smooth Fox Terrier Health

Major concerns: none
Minor concerns: lens luxation, distichiasis, cataract, Legg-Perthes, shoulder dislocation
Occasionally seen: deafness, patellar luxation
Suggested tests: eye
Life span: 10-13 years

Dogs Related to the Smooth Fox Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Border Terrier
Bull Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Airedale Terrier
Wire Fox Terrier
Irish Terrier

Interested in the history of the Smooth Fox Terrier breed?

Expand

The smooth fox terrier's ancestors are not documented, but the breed was certainly known by 1800 and was already popular before the advent of dog shows. He accompanied foxhound packs and dislodged foxes that had taken cover. Predominantly white dogs were preferred because they could be more easily distinguished from the quarry in dim lighting. Some speculation exists that the smooth and wire fox terriers arose from distinct backgrounds, with the smooth descending from the smooth-coated black and tan, the bull terrier and even the greyhound and beagle. The smooth fox terriers were among the first breeds to enter the show ring, classified initially with the sporting breeds. The two varieties were interbred extensively at one time, but the practice gradually declined. Because the two breeds had long since ceased to be crossed by the latter part of the 1900s, the AKC divided them into separate breeds in 1985.


Work With a Group

Some animal welfare organizations with Smooth Fox Terriers ready for adoption:

petfinder video

Animal Planet's Dogs 101

Check Out Dogs 101

Learn about a new collection of dog breeds each week. Get the schedule here.

Watch Dogs 101 Clips

Boston Terrier: This "American Gentleman" is one of the first breeds to originate in the U.S.
Shar-Pei: This unique, wrinkly breed's name is Chinese[?] for "sand skin."
Saint Bernard: This drooler is an attention-getter with a sweet disposition.
Basset Hound: The Basset Hound has the longest ears of any dog.
Labrador Retriever: Labs are natural swimmers thanks to webbed paws, otter-like tails and water-resistant coats.

Related Articles