Smooth Fox Terrier
The Smooth Fox Terrier is often described as the gentleman of the canine race.
Physical Description.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a small, smooth coated dog weighing approximately 6.8 -7.7 kg for a bitch and 7.2 -8.2 kg for a dog. He has a long lean head with small V shaped ears and dark eyes full of expression. He is either black and white, tan and white or white. The tail is docked to three quarters of its natural length.
Behaviour / Characteristics.
The Fox Terrier is a small, clean, easy to groom dog, game, lively, active and hardy. He is very inquisitive and has a great sense of humour. He is a marvellous companion, a watch dog, a family dog, a hunter. They can be difficult, challenging, exasperating, along with all their virtues, but they are never boring. Many people have the mistaken idea that Fox Terriers yap. Sure they bark if someone comes to the door, but they are not a yappy breed.
History.
Smooth Fox Terriers have been around for more years than one cares to remember. In the early days they were known as the English Terrier and it was not until about 1860 that they were called Smooth Fox Terriers and registered as show dogs.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a genuine British breed and was evolved by clever breeders of the past who knew what they wanted in a dog: a game, fearless, hardy workmanlike terrier, intelligent, active with an exceedingly good memory and quick enough to catch rats and other vermin above ground, whilst small enough to go to ground, all combined with being a good looker.
The result is the Smooth Fox Terrier as we know him today and it is worth noting that little has changed about either his character or his looks throughout the years. He has been described as 'the gentleman of the canine race' and he certainly lives up to his reputation, both as a working dog, for which he was bred, or as a family pet and companion." ....Smooth Fox Terrier Club, England.
Ownership Preferences.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is the ideal family pet, being very good with children and ready to share in all their activities. They make an excellent house dog being small to medium in size and usually good watch dogs.
Housing Requirements.
A Smooth Fox Terrier's place to sleep would be at the end of the bed, but they will sleep in a basket or in a warm kennel.
Feeding Requirements.
The smooth enjoys his food and is not usually a fussy eater. It is important to give your puppy the right start with a high quality puppy food. It is easy to maintain the Fox Terriers ideal body weight if fed sensibly.
Grooming.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is one of the smartest looking dogs, having a white coat with black or tan markings. It is only a few minutes work to keep it clean and tidy, being quickly dried if wet or muddy. If a smooth is to be kept as a pet it is wise to brush him a couple of times a week with a rubber grooming mitt. This will keep the dead hair from being shed all over the house.
Training.
The Fox Terrier is intelligent and eager to learn, but can be easily distracted. Puppy School is the ideal place for a young pup to learn socialisation and early obedience skills. (energetic owners may consider agility for their smooth as an outlet for their boundless energy.)
Leisure Pursuits with your breed.
The Smooth Fox Terrier loves regular exercise and enjoys nothing more than a long walk at. the beach, park or in the countryside. Smooths are natural hunters and enjoy the opportunity to go rabbiting. They will keep the mice and rat population down and are very game with possums, the occasional hedgehog. Lizards will also be fair game. It was as a working dog helping their masters of old to hunt game, burrowing into the earth, crawling along it, that the smooth evolved.
Longevity.
It is not unusual for a well cared for Fox Terrier to live to 15 years or more. A sturdy sensible dog that has few health problems.
Health Problems.
Not very common, but some health problems to watch for are luxating patella -make sure new puppies are checked. Like most small breeds when in their senior years, they may get valvular heart disease. Terriers in general have increased susceptibility to allergic skin disorders. Our New Zealand lines of smooths seem not to be affected by many conditions mentioned in overseas literature.
Traits to be warned about.
If you want a quiet lap dog a Fox Terrier is not for you. They are an energetic, active, fun dog with personality plus, though they still love a lap to stand or sleep on.
Cost of Ownership.
A smooth puppy will cost around $500-00 for a NZKC registered pet. A dog for showing will normally cost more. Being small and healthy the Fox Terrier is fairly inexpensive to provide veterinary care for. Fox Terriers are economical to feed
Once you have owned and loved a Smooth Fox Terrier you will always have another.
