Toy Fox Terrier

• Energy Level

• Exercise Requirements

• Playfulness

• Affection Level

• Friendliness to Dogs

• Friendliness to Other Pets

• Friendliness to Strangers

• Watchfulness

• Ease of Training

• Grooming Requirements

• Heat Sensitivity

• Vocality

ACACTFTs are TNT in a small bundle. Feisty and fun-loving, they are curious at heart and will spend hours investigating the yard, your cabinets, and places you never knew existed. They love to play with people and toys, and make excellent companions for careful older children; however, they do not tolerate inconsiderate handling.

They can entertain for hours and are also content to snuggle on a warm lap during recess. This is a one-family, even one-person, dog that doesn’t warm to strangers initially. The TFT’s intelligence, energy, and penchant for showing off make it a quick study and impressive trick dog.

Upkeep consists of making sure the Toy Fox Terrier is supplied with toys, playmates, and an appreciative audience. They need the opportunity to exercise their mind and body, but they can do so in a small area. Without sufficient attention, exercise, and training, they can dig and bark.

The Toy Fox Terrier appreciates a warm, soft bed or lap. They do not care to be wet or cold, and should wear a sweater and even protective earmuffs in cold weather. Coat care is wash and wear.

• Major concerns: none
• Minor concerns: patellar luxation, Legg-Perthes, demodicosis, congenital hypothyroidism with goiter
• Occasionally seen: vWD, lens luxation
• Suggested tests: knee, DNA for congenital hypothyroidism, DNA for lens luxation, (vWD)
• Life span: 13–14 years

Smooth Fox Terriers have long been a favorite of farmers and pet owners. American farmers found smaller individuals, or what they called runts, were especially scrappy, as well as handy for catching rodents around the farm. Pet owners found them especially entertaining and handier for having around the house.

In the early 1900s these smaller fox terriers were crossed with several toy breeds, including the Toy Manchester Terrier, Chihuahua, and possibly Italian Greyhound. The result was a smaller version of the Smooth Fox Terrier with a few important differences. The fiery temperament was still there, but tempered a bit -- just a bit.

The smaller dogs were still registered with the UKC as Smooth Fox Terriers, but in 1936 the UKC granted them their own name and breed status. They remained one of the most popular non-AKC companion breeds in the country until 2003, when they entered the AKC show ring for the first time.