Toy Fox Terrier
An American toy bred down from the smooth fox terrier and still all terrier underneath. It was a circus performer about as often as it was a ratter.
Photo by Terry Best, CC BY-SA 3.0
Overview
The Toy Fox Terrier was developed in the United States from small Smooth Fox Terriers crossed with Chihuahua and Manchester Terrier, and it kept the terrier working ability while becoming small enough to be a house dog. It was used in circuses as a performing dog.
At three and a half to nine pounds it is a toy by size and a genuine ratting terrier in temperament.
Temperament
Bold, quick and affectionate. Toy Fox Terriers are devoted to their people, alert with strangers, and they are considerably more dog than the size suggests.
They are intelligent and highly trainable, which is why the circuses used them, and they enjoy learning. The prey drive is real. They bark. They are not suited to very young children, being genuinely fragile.
Care and grooming
A short satin coat, a weekly rub down, minimal shedding. Almost no work.
Patellar luxation, Legg Calve Perthes disease and primary lens luxation occur, and the last has a DNA test. Congenital hypothyroidism with goitre also occurs and has a test. They feel the cold and need a coat.
Living and exercise
Forty five minutes a day plus training games. They suit flats given the exercise.
They are one of the more trainable toy breeds and they are happiest with something to learn. Thirteen to fifteen years.
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