Smooth Fox Terrier

The smooth coat needs a minimum of grooming – just a quick brushing with a rubber hound glove or curry brush a couple of times a week to keep shedding under control. He’ll shed a little year-round and go through a seasonal shed in spring and fall. Other than that, just keep his ears clean and his nails trimmed. He's definitely meant to be a no-fuss dog.

Hypoallergenic: NoThe Smooth Fox Terrier generally lives 12 to 15 years, and can live as long as 19 years. The breed is genetically quite healthy. Some known health problems are deafness, luxating patellas and a variety of eye disorders such as lens luxation, distichiasis, and cataracts. Skeletal problems that can occur include Legge-perthes disease and shoulder dislocations. Myasthenia Gravis and idiopathic epilepsy have also been reported, as well as goiter.

The Smooth Fox Terrier is square-proportioned, standing over a lot of ground but with a short back. Its conformation combines speed, endurance and power, enabling it to gallop and stay with the horses and hounds during the hunt and to follow a fox up a narrow passage. The gait while trotting gets most of its propulsion from the rear quarters. The expression, like the attitude, is keen; the carriage is alert and expectant. The coat is flat, hard and dense, also with a short, fine undercoat.

The Smooth Fox Terrier is friendly, alert, active, and lively without being high-strung. Through his keen expression and alert bearing, ears up and tail quivering, the Smooth Fox Terrier gives the impression of a dog ready to go anywhere and take on any task. The Smooth Fox Terrier is bold but not aggressive with people. They are affectionate with children but may be too active for some. Although seldom used for hunting now, the Smooth Fox Terrier retains a strong prey drive and will dig tirelessly after any underground vermin.

The Fox Terrier was developed by crossing ancient Dachshunds, English Hounds, and later the English Foxhound and Beagle. It is one of the oldest terrier type dogs, originating in the British Isles in the 17th century. It was used by farmers who needed dogs to help get rid of the animals that would prey on the farmers stock, such as fox and rats and other small vermin. The Fox Terrier would find the animal in the ground, relentlessly digging, barking, growling and lunging until it harassed the animal out of its den where the hunter could then kill it. The Fox Terrier came in both a smooth coat and a wirehaired coat and both were considered the same breed for many years. The Wirehaired Fox Terrier was bred by crossing in the rough coated Black and Tan Terrier, for use in rough country, its coat being less vulnerable to damage than that of the Smooth Fox Terrier. The first standard for the Smooth Fox Terrier was established in 1876, separating it from the wirehaired dogs. However, they are still considered the same breed with different coat varieties by some clubs, but have been separated in the United States since 1984. Both the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wirehaired Fox Terrier were recognized by the AKC in 1885. Some of the Fox Terrier's talents include: hunting, tracking, watchdog, agility and performing tricks.