Looking to fill your life with joy with a fun, fast, full of energy puppy? You might find the smooth fox terrier to be a worthy match.
This lively breed is perfect for those looking for a companion they can explore and make the most of their time with.
Built for speed and agility, the body of a fox terrier is compact and muscular. Despite its small to medium body size, the smooth fox terrier is eager to please its family and master, as well as an adaptable working canine companion.
Smooth fox terrier puppies are distinctive and functional breeds. With his narrow frame, he can maneuver into most dens to bolt his quarry. He has a slightly sloping topline, strong, straight legs, and a high-set tail.
Depending on the smooth fox terrier’s breed quality, his coat can be either soft or wiry and can be seen in white with brown or black markings. This breed is only a moderate shedder.
Breed Overview
Other Name: Fox Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Foxie, SFT
Origin: England
Height: 15.5 Inches
Weight: Male 18 lbs, Female 15-17 lbs
Life Span: 12-15 years
Colors: White with streaks of Brown, Red, or Black markings
1. Personality & Temperament
The foxie is charming but sly, prone to mischief but also alert, smart, and lively. A fox terrier can easily outwit you, but also leave you laughing at his cute antics.
Because of his strong hunting instinct, this breed has good eyesight, a keen sense of smell, and will stay alert till they finish a job. Whether he’s digging in the yard or playing a game of fetch, his staying power is impressive, and this drive carries over to his everyday life.
The SFT is easy to train but needs a firm hand to keep his desire for hunting controlled. When a foxie is active, he’s happiest. This makes him a perfect breed for a family always on the go.
He is affectionate and protective, hence perfect for new dog lovers looking for a companion. Smooth foxie terriers are friendly towards other people but with other dogs. Not the best breed to take to a dog park.
2. How to Care For A Smooth Fox Terrier
Nutrition
The foxie will do well on 1.5 – 2 cups of high-quality dog food every day, whether home-prepared or commercially manufactured. With your vet’s supervision and approval, you can divide into two meals.
How much your fox terrier eats depends on his age, size, metabolism, build, and activity level. It goes without saying that an active dog will need more food than a couch potato dog. Some are prone to getting overweight, hence watch his weight level and calorie consumption.
Since the smooth fox terrier breed was originally bred to go after small animals they also have a high prey instinct and hence highly energetic dogs. Hence, if you have a Smooth Fox Terrier, consider feeding him with grain-free dog food, which is high in protein and is therefore an excellent energy source.
Always check with the veterinarian if you have concerns about your foxie’s diet or weight. Always provide clean, fresh water at all times.
Grooming
The smooth haired fox terrier’s short but hard, dense coat, sheds very little. It should be groomed regularly, at least weekly with a firm bristle brush or a hound glove.
The coat is dense but wiry, and can sometimes appear wavy or with a slight wave. Brushing regularly is recommended to keep the coat clean and odor-free. They only need occasional baths unless they keep rolling in something gross.
Give your pooch regular nail trims as well. When the nails start clicking on the floor, get your clippers. Keeping his nails short, neat, and trim will protect your décor from scratches while keeping his feet in good condition.
Exercise
Terriers are high energy dogs and require at least 30 – 40 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. Most terries are lively and athletic. Without the chance to burn their energy. They may end up being destructive and become nuisance barkers.
You could take him on long walks, have him chase a tennis ball in your backyard, or let him play in your yard if your home is securely fenced. It is crucial to keep a smooth terrier mentally and physically fit.
Be careful letting your pup play unsupervised, they are escape artists. Foxies can dig escape holes or jump high enough to jump the fence and escape.
Training
Crate training for fox terrier is recommended because they can prove tedious to house train. Check out this article to learn more about dog crates.
Originally breed for hunting, they are prone to chase birds, cats, rabbits, as well as other dogs. They are eager to pick a fight with other dogs. Hence you might have to keep him on a leash each time you are out for a walk or in the dog park. It helps to enroll him in a puppy training classss.
Unless you train him not to dig your yard or flowerbeds, expect that he will due to his innate sense to dig. When bored or inactive, he may indulge in destructive behaviors such as chewing. Consider buying him a cheap dog bed, during this process.
3. Common Health Issues of The Smooth Fox Terrier
This breed can go through most of their lives with no significant health concerns, they are generally healthy dogs.
If you intend to buy a smooth foxie puppy, know that responsible smooth fox terrier breeders are expected to test their fox terrier mix for health conditions such as cardiac disease and lens luxation.
You should expect to see valid clearances certifying his eyes are healthy from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF).
Not all foxies will get all or any of these diseases, but it’s crucial to be aware of them if you are looking for a fox terrier companion.
Deafness
White dogs are prone to this problem. This is a hereditary condition; hence, you need to notify your breeder, so he makes changes in his breeding program.
If your fox terrier ends up deaf, remember that living and training a deaf dog companion needs lots of time and patience. However, there are aids in the current market, like vibrating collars that make life significantly easier.
Lens Luxation
This is when the lens of the dog’s eye becomes displaced; as a result of the deterioration of the ligament holding it in place.
This condition can be treatable with surgery or medication. However, if the case is severe, the eye might need to be removed.
Legg-Perthes Disease
Small dog breeds are more prone to this disease. It is a deformity of the hip joint’s ball. It is sometimes confused with hip dysplasia.
This disease wearing and eventually arthritis. It can be treated with surgery and with proper rehabilitation therapy after surgery.
4. Children and Other Pets
Smooth fox Terries love playing with kids, they too appear to be kids at heart. However, fox terriers are also too active for kids younger than 6 years.
They naturally play rough, and they have a tendency to interpret a kid’s high-pitched voice and running as that of prey, causing them to bite in excitement potentially. Terries tend to be protective of their toys and food, which can cause irritation if a child tries to take them from him.
If your home has children, teach them how to approach and touch the foxie. Also, be keen to supervise interactions between the children and the dog to prevent any ear pulling and biting from both sides.
If trained since puppyhood, a terrier can be okay with dogs and cats. However, they are not the best option for homes with hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other pets.
5. The History of Smooth Fox Terriers
The smooth fox terries have a vigorous past, from entertaining the masses in film and circuses to being companions to kings, to winning more Westminster Kennel Club show Best-in-Show awards than any other dog breed.
This breed is a cross of Dachshunds, ancient English Hounds, and later the Beagle and the Fox Hound. Originating in the British Isles, the smooth terrier is one of the oldest types of terrier dogs.
Farmers who to get rid of stray animals in their farms needed would use fox terries to find the animals in the ground. When prey is noticed, a smooth terrier will not stop digging, barking, lunging, and growling until he harasses the animal out of the den giving the farmers a chance to kill it.
6. The Regular Expenses of Owning a Smooth Fox Terrier
Buying a smooth fox terrier puppy could cost you anywhere between $700-$1000. For a superior pedigree with top breed lines, you should budget anywhere from $1000-$4200.
7. Smooth Fox Terrier Rescue Groups
If you want to adopt an adult smooth fox terrier puppy who’s already gone through the destructive puppy stage and is already trained, a rescue group is a perfect place to start.
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