Below is the official AKC breed standard for the Toy Fox Terrier.
The Toy Fox Terrier is a true American Breed developed by
breeding small Smooth Fox Terriers with several toy breeds including the
Chihuahua and Manchester Terrier. Today, the Toy Fox Terrier is a well-balanced
toy dog of athletic appearance displaying grace and agility in equal measure
with strength and stamina. From the hunt to the show ring, the Toy Fox Terrier
has become a cherished companion dog and excellent show piece. The Toy Fox
Terrier has shown that he is at home in conformation, obedience and agility
trials, his favorite spotlight is the center stage of his owner's life.
The Toy Fox Terrier is a toy and a terrier, and both have influenced his
personality and character. While retaining the terrier gameness, courage and
animation. The cross-breeding with various toy breeds mentioned created a milder
disposition. Although easier to live with than many terriers, the Toy Fox
Terrier is still a working terrier, and many of them delight in hunting and
going to ground. Given the opportunity, the Toy Fox Terrier will pursue the
quarry of the backyard or barnyard with diligence. Known to tree squirrels and
flush out rodents, the hunt is always welcome. Flyball or fetch are easily
learned and perfected for endless hours of activity. However, if you enjoy a lap
dog, this little companion appears to know the latest in television
entertainment of his household. Children especially enjoy the unending energy
and zeal for play throughout this dog's life.
General Appearance
The Toy Fox Terrier is truly a toy and a terrier and both have influenced his
personality and character. As a terrier, the Toy Fox Terrier possesses keen
intelligence, courage, and animation. As a toy his is diminutive, and devoted
with an endless abiding love for his master. The Toy Fox Terrier is a
well-balanced Toy dog of athletic appearance displaying grace and agility in
equal measure with strength and stamina. His lithe muscular body has a smooth
elegant outline which conveys the impression of effortless movement and endless
endurance. He is naturally well groomed, proud, animated, and alert.
Characteristic traits are his elegant head, his short glossy and predominantly
white coat, coupled with a predominantly solid head, and his short high-set
tail.
Size, Proportion and Substance
Size: 8.5 - 11.5 inches, 9 -11 preferred, 8.5 - 11.5 acceptable. Proportion:
The Toy Fox Terrier is square in proportion, with height being approximately
equal to length; with height measured from withers to ground and length measured
from point of shoulder to buttocks. Slightly longer in bitches is acceptable. Substance:
Bone must be strong, but not excessive and always in proportion to size. Overall
balance is important.
Disqualification: Any dog under 8.5 inches and over 11.5 inches.
Head
The head is elegant, balanced and expressive with no indication of coarseness. Expression
is intelligent, alert, eager and full of interest. Eyes: clear, bright
and dark, including eye-rims, with the exception of chocolates whose eye-rims
should be self-colored. The eyes are full, round and somewhat prominent, yet
never bulging, with a soft intelligent expression. They are set well apart, not
slanted, and fit well together into the sockets. Ears: The ears are
erect, pointed, inverted V-shaped, set high and close together, but never
touching. The size is in proportion to the head and body. Disqualification:
Ears not erect on any dog over six months of age. Skull: is moderate in
width, slightly rounded and softly wedge shaped. Medium stop, somewhat sloping.
When viewed from the front, the head widens gradually from the nose to the base
of the ears. The distance from the nose to the stop is equal to the distance
from the stop to the occiput. The cheeks are flat and muscular, with the area
below the eyes well filled in. Faults: Apple head. Muzzle: Strong
rather than fine, in proportion to the head as a whole and parallel to the top
of the skull. Nose: Black only with the exception of self-colored in
chocolate dogs. Disqualification: Dudley nose. Lips: are small and
tight fitting. Bite: a full complement of strong white teeth meeting in a
scissors bite is preferred. Loss of teeth should not be faulted as long as the
bite can be determined as correct. Disqualification: Undershot, wry
mouth, overshot more than 1/8 inch.
Neck, Topline and Body
The neck is carried proudly erect, well set on, slightly arched, gracefully
curved, clean, muscular and free from throatiness. It is proportioned to the
head and body and widens gradually blending smoothly into the shoulders. The
length of the neck is approximately the same as that of the head. The topline
is level when standing and gaiting. The body is balanced and tapers
slightly from ribs to flank. The chest is deep and muscular with well
sprung ribs. Depth of chest extends to the point of elbow. The back is
straight, level, and muscular. Short and strong in loin with moderate tuck-up to
denote grace and elegance. The croup is level with topline and
well-rounded. The tail is set high, held erect and in proportion to the
size of the dog. Docked to the 3rd or 4th joint.
Forequarters
Forequarters are well angulated. The shoulder is firmly set and has adequate
muscle, but is not overdeveloped. The shoulders are sloping and well laid back,
blending smoothly from neck to back. The forechest is well developed. The elbows
are close and perpendicular to the body. The legs are parallel and straight to
the pasterns which are strong and straight while remaining flexible. Feet are
small and oval, pointing forward turning neither in nor out. Toes are strong,
well-arched and closely knit with deep pads.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are well angulated, strong and muscular. The upper and lower thighs
are strong, well muscled and of good length. The stifles are clearly defined and
well angulated. Hock joints are well let down and firm. The rear pasterns are
straight. The legs are parallel from the rear and turn neither in nor out.
Dewclaws should be removed from hindquarters if present.
Coat
The coat is shiny, satiny, fine in texture and smooth to the touch. It is
slightly longer in the ruff, uniformly covering the body.
Color
Tri-Color: Predominately black head with sharply defined tan markings on cheeks,
lips and eye dots. Body is over fifty-percent white, with or without black body
spots. White, Chocolate and Tan: Predominately chocolate head with
sharply defined tan markings on cheeks, lips and eye dots. Body is over
fifty-percent white, with or without chocolate body spots. White and Tan:
Predominately tan head. Body is over fifty-percent white, with or without tan
body spots. White and Black: Predominately black head. Body is over
fifty-percent white with or without black body spots. Color should be rich and
clear. Blazes are acceptable, but may not touch the eyes or ears. Clear white is
preferred, but a small amount of ticking is not to be penalized. Faults:
Color, other than ticking, that extends below the elbow or the hock. Disqualifications:
A blaze extending into the eyes or ears. Any color combination not stated above.
Any dog whose head is more than fifty-percent white. Any dog whose body is not
more than fifty-percent white. Any dog whose head and body spots are of
different colors.
Gait
Movement is smooth and flowing with good reach and strong drive. The topline
should remain straight and head and tail carriage erect while gaiting. Fault:
Hackney gait.
Temperament
The Toy Fox Terrier is intelligent, alert and friendly, and loyal to its owners.
He learns new tasks quickly, is eager to please, and adapts to almost any
situation. The Toy Fox Terrier, like other terriers, is self-possessed,
spirited, determined and not easily intimidated. He is a highly animated toy dog
that is comical, entertaining and playful all of his life. Any individuals
lacking good terrier attitude and personality are to be faulted.
Disqualifications
Any dog under 8.5 inches or over 11.5 inches.
Ears not erect on any dog over six months of age.
Dudley nose.
Undershot, wry mouth, overshot more than 1/8 inch.
A blaze extending into the eye or ears.
Any color combination not stated above.
Any dog whose head is more than fifty percent white.
Any dog whose body is not more than fifty percent white.
Any dog whose head and body are of different colors.