Fox Terrier - a dog that was bred for burrowing fox. Naturally, this orientation was reflected in the character and habits of the representatives of the breed. What are the owners of the fox terrier that they decide to purchase as a pet?

According to one theory, the so-called “peat dogs” are considered the ancestors of modern fox terriers, in accordance with another, they appeared as a result of crossing small hounds with terriers. There is evidence that one English breeder purposefully engaged in breeding a breed intended for hunting foxes and rodents. He bred a large number of dogs with excellent hunting qualities, which were further improved.

At the same time, the Fox Terrier breed began to form, and its separation from other species occurred only at the end of the 18th century. This event is associated with the growing popularity of fox hunting not only among the elite, but also ordinary citizens. At that time, a club of fans of Fox Terriers was organized, and breeding work continued. Dogs were crossed with beagles, bull terriers and other breeds to improve existing characteristics.

Description of the breed Fox Terrier

There are two types of fox terriers - wire-haired and short-haired, which have almost the same physical data, nature and behavior. Growth males at the withers do not exceed 39 cm, and females are even lower. Males weightyat up to 8.1 kg, bitches - up to 7.7 cm.

According to the standard, fox terriers have the following external features:

• Head wedge-shaped with a flat forehead, elongated and dry, tapering to the nose. Occipital tubercle weakly expressed. The auricles are small, in the shape of a triangle. They are set high, hanging on the cartilage, have no wrinkles. In dogs of this breed, the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is smooth, almost imperceptible.
• Jaws with a full range of strong teeth, but, despite their strength, the presence of pronounced masticatory muscles is undesirable. Scissor bite.
• Nose with obligatory black pigmentation.
• Eyes small, with a dark iris and eyelids, deep set, a little slanted. The look is smart, lively.
• Dogs have a proportional square-shaped body with a long neck, gradually expanding to the shoulder girdle. She goes into a pronounced withers. Back shortened, with a good muscular corset and a strong, slightly convex lower back. Not wide rib cage, decent depth, with convex front and deep, rather elastic hind ribs.
• Front limbs located close in relation to each other. They have tight-fitting elbows, long shoulder blades and short, vertically spaced metacarpals.
• Hind - straight, wide and parallel spaced, heel bones slightly directed back. The articulations are pronounced. The hips are elongated and the legs are of moderate length with well-developed muscles. The limbs end in small, arched paws with tightly clenched fingers resembling a cat's paw
• Tail stop, leaving a quarter or a little longer, is "upside down".

It will be interesting:

Wool and Fox Terrier colors

As already noted, there are two varieties of breed that are distinguished by the quality of the coat. Smooth Fox Terriers have a smooth, straight coat that is close to the body. It is distinguished by rigidity and density. According to the standard, the coat should be present on the inner side of the thighs and abdomen, its absence is a breed marriage.

With regards to wire-haired fox terriers, they have a compacted, harsh, rough coat. The undercoat is very plentiful, much shorter than the outer hair and soft to the touch. There are several colors with a predominance of white. Representatives of the breed are painted in:

Fox character traits

Fox is a bunch of energy, active, cheerful and cheerful. He has a highly excitable nervous system and hunter instincts are overdeveloped. These are dogs with a stable psyche and the need for a strict hierarchy, so the owner must definitely become a leader so that the pet takes him for a “leader”. Dogs of this breed can be smart and have developed intelligence, but these qualities are manifested, only if necessary.

The fox terrier has a whole set of qualities that are needed for a real hunter: energy, agility, attentiveness and absolute fearlessness. He is very curious and will put his nose in any crack.

However, which is good for hunting, it can not always be useful at home. Not only that, some character traits can even hurt. If you do not pay due attention to the education of the fox terrier, it can become a real disaster for housing. He will bark often and loudly, rush around the clock and spoil things, furniture. As for barking, this is a feature of all representatives of the breed, even educated.

Owners should be warned about another passion of these dogs - Fox Terriers love to dig the ground. But if you do not let them satisfy this need during the walks, they will dig at home - parquet, laminate, carpet (the cost of covering does not bother them at all) ... If you train a dog, he can become a noble, cheerful friend, ready to protect his master in anytime and be a great companion.

Fox treats all members of the family well. He is an excellent companion for games, but not too gentle, so leaving him alone with children is not recommended. Dogs of this breed are alarmed when strangers approach and often make noise, so they are considered good guard dogs.

Relations with other pets in fox terriers, for the most part, do not add up. Because of their impulsiveness and bullying, they can fight with dogs that are larger than them. Smaller pets will be excellent prey for foxes and they will have to endure frequent bashing. Therefore, you will have to keep the dog on a leash during the entire walk, and if there are other animals at home, then you need to closely engage in the education of this "hunter". Experts note that the fox terrier is not a dog for everyone, and the owner must have iron nerves and unlimited patience.

Training Features

Raising and training a hunting dog is not an easy task. First of all, it is recommended to pay due attention to the training of the puppy to the toilet on the street. To do this, it should be taken out after each meal, and after emptying, encourage a small pet.

You can also teach your child tidiness by working out a specific reflex using a code word. For this, the word is spoken when the puppy crouched to empty. In the pet’s memory, it will be definitely deposited, which is associated with this word.

You can’t be rude to a fox terrier, neglect your pet, or use physical punishment. If the dog behaves badly, then striking him is highly discouraged, since training will be complicated if the pet eschews the owner.

Given the temperament of dogs of this breed, it is necessary, as early as possible, to explain to the puppy how to behave, and how not. Be sure to need consistency in training. For example, treating a dog with food from his plate, and after a couple of days to punish him for begging, is illogical.

You can start training a dog from 3 months, the duration of classes at first should not exceed 15 minutes. However, the frequency of exercise is important, and the best time for training falls on the period before feeding. So in a dog, training will be associated with positive emotions. Specific training using an artificial hole begins a bit later, when the dog is older.

Fox Terrier is a specific breed, and, like all hunting dogs, requires a special approach. It is best to have such a pet for a direct purpose - hunting, where the dog will be able to show all his talents. Otherwise, you will have to compensate for this shortcoming, as much as possible and more actively walking with your four-legged friend.

Learn more about the temperament, standard and characteristics of the Fox Terrier breed. See what he likes, his description and characteristics, character traits. Take a look at the fox terrier dog photo. They are of two types: wire-haired and smooth-haired.

Photo: Smooth and wire-haired Fox Terrier puppies

	Training
	Mind
	Molting
	Watchdog qualities
	Protective qualities
	Popularity
	The size
	Agility
	Attitude towards children

Smooth Fox Terrier

	Training
	Mind
	Molting
	Watchdog qualities
	Protective qualities
	Popularity
	The size
	Agility
	Attitude towards children

Photo: Fox Terrier dogs. Smooth and wire-haired

History

Lovely and carefree-looking fox terriers have a heroic and interesting origin story. For a long time, these dogs were bred for practical purposes: for hunting underground. The word "terrier" comes from the Latin "terra", which means "land", and Fox in translation from English is a fox. Fox terriers are dogs intended for hunting foxes underground, that is, in fox holes.

There are a lot of breeds in the names of which the word "terrier" is present. All of them are to one degree or another relatives, and their homeland is the British Isles. Since the 11th century, in written sources you can find many references to underground or burrow terriers. From the surviving images of these dogs, one can judge that they have much in common with the modern smooth-haired fox terrier.

Already in the Middle Ages, people realized the need to create a pedigree type adapted for hunting foxes and rodents. And by the beginning of the New Age, it is already possible to talk about purposeful selection work. The earliest known lover and breeder of fox terriers was Count Monteuil. His dogs became famous for their hunting abilities, determination, viciousness and activity.

Of course, at first attention was paid to the temperament and working skills of the dogs, and the exterior of the breed was of secondary importance. However, under the influence of the choice for further breeding for the most part of the same type of dogs, the pedigree type of fox terrier began to take shape in the 17th century. The first dogs of this breed were more massive and gross physique, with a wide head on a short neck. They appeared as a result of crossing varieties of British terriers: smooth-haired, white and wire-haired.

In addition to these main ancestors, other blood poured into the fox terriers:, hound, beagle and spaniel. But these breeds were used carefully so as not to destroy the original look of terriers, but only to improve its working qualities.

The excitement around the breed began in the second half of the 18th century and was explained by the incredible popularity of fox hunting. This type of hunting was not just entertainment for the British, it turned into a national sport, into a mass hobby. Hunting clubs were created, which also showed a keen interest in fox terriers, although the main attention was focused on smooth-haired dogs. Their task in the hunt was to drive a fox, badger, or other burrowing animal out of the ground. The closest colleagues of the Fox Terriers are foxhounds, hounds that effectively drove the beast, but they were powerless if the beast was hiding in a hole. Fox terriers did not have to run fast, as a rule, they were transported by horseback riders in saddlebags or shoulder bags.

Much attention in breeding was focused on two points: color and the ability to climb into narrow holes. A white background should prevail in the color so that the fox terrier jumping out of the hole would be very different from the red fox. Otherwise, a brown dog could be shot in a hurry. Dogs with a larger skeleton of the chest and skull did not crawl into narrow holes or could get stuck in them. Therefore, the selection was carried out in the direction of lighter dogs, with narrow shoulders and thin muzzles, which successfully coped with climbing in cramped underground burrows.

Massive fox terriers of the old type were discarded for further breeding. Especially seriously began to approach this issue after 1862. This led to the fact that at the end of the 19th century a modern new type of fox terrier appeared. He had a narrow head, small ears, a long neck, the distance between the shoulder blades was reduced, his shoulders narrowed.

Foxes actively participated in all the "dog" events in England. They were presented at the first English dog show in 1859. The Specialty Fox Terrier Show took place in 1886, 175 dogs were registered on it, while the Fox Fox was less than 1/3 of the exhibitors.

In 1875, the Fox Terrier Club was established. Around this time, they began to talk about the need to separate Fox Terriers into two types: smooth-haired and wire-haired. But there was only one standard for the breed, and in general preference was given to smooth-haired fox terriers, which were a kind of elite of the breed. Looking ahead, we can say that now dogs with hard hair are clearly the leaders in terms of size and popularity, judging by the registration of puppies in modern breed clubs.

In past centuries, hunters more appreciated the working qualities of smooth foxes, although in reality wire-haired fox terriers had the same set of qualities. But the impressive dogs with hard coat were appreciated by lovers of decorative pets and began to start them as companions. This explains the fact that when the passion for fox hunting subsided, and the fox terriers became mostly a decorative dog, it was the coiff-haired beauties who seized the championship.

In the 80s of the 19th century, the fame of fox terriers spread throughout the European continent. These dogs were taken to Germany, Austria, Russia and other countries. Of course, export puppies had to meet high requirements, because they represented English cynology and were a symbol of its achievements. Therefore, only reliable breeders such as Francis Redmont were major exporters. His nursery became famous for a record number of champions. There was even such a thing as the era of Redmont terriers.

German breeders made a great contribution to the history of fox terriers. The intense interest in the breed led to the appearance of a large number of nurseries and to the improvement of the hunting qualities of the dog. Dog training began around the age of one year in artificially created conditions. As a basis, the Fulda model of the hole was chosen, the design of which represented a broken line. Young foxes or raccoons were chosen for the engagement, which made it possible to feel the strength of the fox terrier and experience the hunting excitement. In the early 20th century, breeding of Fox Terriers in Germany was at the peak of popularity. The Germans used this breed not only as normal, but also for hunting game and ungulates.

The breeders of the fox terriers were the crowned persons. For example, the English king Edward the Seventh, who owned the fox terrier Caesar. After the death of the king, the dog was heartbroken, which is transmitted in the film "Silent grief" and the book "Where is the master?"

History of Fox Terriers in Russia

The first representative of the breed was brought to St. Petersburg from England in the early 1860s. Crossing this bitch with a bull terrier resulted in a litter, from which one of the puppies got to Prince B. D. Golitsin. After that, the prince became a big lover of this breed.

At the dog show in 1889 in Russia 4 fox-terriers were presented, after 10 years there were already 49. At the same time, the working qualities of dogs with tests in an artificial hole were also shown at the exhibitions. In Russia, many fox terrier nurseries are organized, enthusiastic breeders of this breed appear. One of them was K. A. Beno, who in 1906 published the book “Fox Terrier” with many interesting facts from the life of the breed. In 1900, the Russian Society of Lovers of Fox Terriers and Dachshunds was formed. Actively held exhibitions, field trials of this breed, and in general, interest in fox terriers among Russian breeders and hunters was at a high level.

Now the wire-haired fox-terriers are for the most part, but you can always find representatives of the breed with excellent working qualities.

Fox Terrier Standard

For a wire-haired fox-terrier, it is characterized by a stiff dense coat of medium length, a long rectangular muzzle with a stiff beard.

Both species have a dry, strong physique, muscular legs due to which the Fox Terrier has excellent speed and amazing reflexes. The fox terrier has an unusual tail. He is shaking, not wagging. The tail looks up and is strong enough to pull the dog out of trouble for him. Fox Terrier is a cheerful, energetic, irritable dog.

The nose leads her from one misconduct to another. Usually the owner does not cope with the fox terrier, which was really taken to hunt. Most breeders now breed softer dogs.

The Fox Terrier is a very active dog, which means that she needs space to move. But this small dog can live in small rooms, such as apartments.

The leading cynological federation FCI has adopted different standards for smooth and wire-haired fox terriers, which are considered independent breeds. At the same time, these standards have much in common, the differences mainly concern the coat of dogs.

Consider wire Fox Terrier Standardas the most common breed in dog breeding circles.

The dog is about square format. With a strong skeleton, but not rough and not shapeless. It gives the impression of lightness and activity. In a rack it looks like a stretched spring.

The skull looks flat, has a gradually tapering shape. The muzzle and cranial part are approximately the same in length. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is practically not pronounced. Cheekbones narrow, protruding cheeks excluded.

Scissor bite. Strong jaws are tightly compressed.

Eyes of dark color, rounded shape is desirable. Set at an optimal distance from each other: that is, not too wide and not too close to the ears.

The ears are small, triangular in shape. The ends of the ears are lowered forward towards the cheekbones.

The neck is long and muscular. If you look from the side, you can see a smooth bend of the neck, which becomes wider towards the shoulders.

The back is short and strong, the lower back is very short.

The chest is deep and not wide.

The tail is set high and up. Strong and direct. The tail is usually docked.

Forelegs are straight and strong. The shoulders are long, set obliquely.

The hind limbs are strong and muscular. Hips are long, knees are well bent.

Paws are assembled in a lump, with elastic pads.

The coat is thick and resembles wire in stiffness. On the back and extremities, the coat is longer and coarser than on the shoulders and sides. On the jaws, the hair is long, which gives a peculiar expression to the muzzle.

White color prevails in the coat color. On a white background are black, black-fringed and reddish-brown spots.

The height of the dogs at the withers: up to 39 cm, bitches a couple of centimeters less.

Ideal weight of males: 8-8.25 kg, bitches are a bit lighter.

The Igloo Fox Terrier was part of an expedition to Antarctica led by Admiral Bird.

Character

This fox terrier in character resembles an English gentleman. He is fearless and friendly, with aristocratic manners and an impressive appearance. The look of the fox terrier conveys his mind and vitality.

When you look at a fox terrier frozen in a rack, then its voltage is transmitted to you: it immediately becomes clear that he is ready to break loose at any moment. The reaction of the fox terrier is lightning fast, the movements are quick, and he himself gives the impression of a dog with a groovy temperament. This small dog resembles a perpetual motion machine: it is always ready to move and frolic, for this the slightest reason is enough for it. The fox terrier of those dogs, about which we can say that they start from a half-turn. They react to any action of the owner and other animals, so it’s hard to train them to calm and restraint.

Dog Fox Terrier: breed character

Excessive mobility, combined with a fair amount of stubbornness and its own view of everything that is happening, makes this breed not so easy to learn. But those who believe that these difficulties are connected with the intellectual abilities of the Fox Terriers are wrong. It . Moreover, they are much faster able to execute the owner's commands than many other breeds due to instant reaction. It's just that some representatives of the breed are endowed with a fair amount of independence, and their vision of the situation may not coincide with the owner's desires.

Otherwise, they are pleasant and loyal friends of a person. Foxes are very sociable creatures and are initially set up for friendly communication. True, if the dog or person does not reciprocate and show aggression, they too will not remain in debt. Do not forget that in these charming dogs there is the blood of their fellow bull terriers, so it is better not to wake the beast in them.

Some owners note the increased militancy of their fox terriers aimed at unfamiliar dogs, especially males are cocky. Another feature of the character of the Fox Terrier is the lack of tolerance for what he does not like. He can even growl at the owner if he did something unlawful, in the opinion of Fox, who is carefully watching him, an act. This, of course, is not very pleasant, but on the other hand, it encourages the owners of this breed to look for new ways to control the dog. For example, physical punishment, the fox terrier will not tolerate and will certainly resist violence.

This breed is easily distracted and carried away, so it is not recommended to walk along the streets with foxes without a leash. They can chase a cat or cross the road when they see something interesting on the other side of the street. When the fox terrier is passionate about something and pursues the object of his passion in hunting excitement, stopping him with shouts is almost impossible.

It should also be borne in mind that this breed is not quiet, Foxes love to make noise and bark from the heart. They also love to chase cats and various small animals. So if you plan to introduce your beloved rabbit, chinchilla or hamster with a fox terrier, then this is not the best idea. As for the attitude towards children, the fox terriers love them, since they themselves remain children for the whole life of their souls, but at the same time they can bite a child in the process of outdoor play if they hurt them. At the same time, the fox terrier will not analyze whether the child did this on purpose or by accident. Therefore, Foxes and small children - this is not a very good combination.

But in one thing, the fox terriers are simply incomparable - this is in the ability to energize its owner. It’s just impossible to get depressed next to Fox, he’s so energetic and cheerful. This dog will make you get up off the couch and look at the world with fun and optimism. Just the way your favorite fox looks at the world.

Famous racer Charles Rolls has always let his fox terrier Joe listen to the motor. The rider did not get into the car if Joe detected a malfunction in the engine.

Life span

Fox terriers live more than 15 years.

Training

It will not be easy to train this independent terrier. Many people think that fox terriers are difficult to train. And indeed it is. Since they do not pay you too much attention, they must be accustomed to the opposite. You must definitely start socializing your dog along with other puppies at a very young age.

Health

In general, the fox terrier is a healthy breed. Some are prone to cataracts, some dogs have problems with their shoulders and pelvis. A wire-haired fox terrier may become inflamed if it is not properly cared for and not trimmed.

Because of its small size, the handsome and mischievous fox terrier is perfect for keeping in an apartment. But your interior will not suffer only if you can provide the dog with sufficient physical activity during a walk. Best of all, if the fox terrier is not just walking, but is actively training in running, overcoming obstacles, and performing various commands. Then he will be more calm at home, although it is difficult to imagine a quiet and calm fox terrier.

If the dog fox terrier is kept in the courtyard of a private house or in the aviary, then pay attention to his excessive desire to dig the ground. His energy is enough to dig up your entire plot, so the dog’s territory must be fenced somehow, or he won’t leave your favorite flowers alone and prevent vegetables from growing. Another problem is undermining under fences for the purpose of escape.

When caring for a wire-haired fox-terrier, the condition of the coat requires special attention. The most amazing thing is that these dogs do not fade, but at the same time the hair needs regular care: it needs to be combed with a hard brush and trimmed several times a year. It is strictly forbidden to use scissors to remove dead hair, otherwise the fox terrier will turn into a dog resembling a sheep with cotton wool.

For a show dog, it is better to use the services of a professional groomer who plucks wool so as to emphasize the athletic constitution of Fox. You can trim yourself, the essence of this method is to gently pluck out dead hair. Special tools will help in this: knife and comb. You need to teach your puppy to this occupation from an early age, otherwise he will actively resist such a procedure.

Trimming is needed not only for beauty, but also for the health of the dog. If dead skin is not removed in time, the dog will comb the skin. There will be scratches, eczema and other skin problems.

You can feed the fox terrier with either special dog food or natural food. The standard adult Fox Terrier diet consists of the following products:

• raw or slightly boiled beef;
• low-fat cottage cheese;
• vegetables (mainly carrots, beets and greens, and potatoes are not a nutritious product for the dog);
• some fruits, such as shabby apples;
• vegetable oil;
• cereal flakes (it is better not to boil them, but simply pour hot meat and bone broth before feeding);
• vitamin and mineral top dressing.

Fox terriers are dangerous for overeating, so you should calculate portions based on their weight. You can not follow the path of owners who compensate for the lack of nutrition with the amount of cheap food, for example, feed the fox terrier with large portions of porridge or cook pasta for him. Such food will inevitably turn into health problems.

In the book of Jerome K. Jerome, “Three in a boat, not counting the dog”, one of the characters is the funny Fox Montmorency, who amuses everyone with his antics.

Choosing a Fox Terrier Puppy

Choosing a puppy, you do not need to be guided by the first emotional impulse when you see a pretty face in the photo in the ad. Remember that by the appearance of the puppy it is difficult to say who will grow out of it: a mixed breed or a champion of its breed. It is better to visit the exhibition, look at the working trials of the fox terriers, perhaps you will be so interested in any representative of the breed that you want to wait for the puppy from him.

You can engage in active searches for a puppy or, conversely, leave a message on the thematic forum about the willingness to purchase a fox terrier and wait for interesting offers. When you come to the breeder to choose a puppy from the litter, then pay attention to the behavior of little foxs, as a rule, the dog shows leadership qualities from birth. The tail of the fox terriers stops early, and by the time the puppy is acquired, this operation should already be performed by the breeder.

Wire-haired fox terriers conquer with unusual energy and perfect lines of the exterior. Small sizes are deceptive - these dogs are excellent hunters, as well as loyal companions. Fox terriers are one of the oldest breeds in Europe.

Initially, there was no separation into separate breeds. Wire-haired and smooth-haired dogs crossed among themselves, reaching ideal hunting qualities. Over time, two types of fox terriers were distinguished, and the differences between them only in the structure and length of the coat. Also, the FCI standard allows for a solid white color only in smooth-haired dogs.

Height at the withers: up to 39 cm.
Ideal Weight: 8.25 kg.

• Color: black or red spots on a white background.
• Eye color: dark brown.
• Nose color: black.
• General appearance: well-balanced dogs with a tough coat and strong physique.

Are the American Toy Fox Terriers and the Jack Russell Terrier relatives?

In the 30s of the XX century, enthusiasts from the USA bred a new breed - the American Toy Fox Terrier. In the ACN system, they achieved recognition and approval of the standard in 2003. This breed owes its origin to the Fox Terriers from Europe. To obtain miniature sizes, blood was massively poured into the blood of English hunters, and. Today, amertoys (the abbreviated name adopted in the AKC) are considered decorative dogs with good health.

- This is a type of old-type fox terrier that existed before the beginning of the 20th century. Jack Russell, the creator of the breed, is concerned about creating a terrier with increased viciousness. It is believed that the English bull-and-end dogs were mixed with old-style foxes.

Breed history

The ancestors of the terriers lived next to a man for thousands of years. Experts say they all went from peat dog, which lived in Europe.

Fox Terriers Used for hunting. They were smooth-haired and wire-haired. Breeders then did not attach any importance to this. Couples for knitting were selected solely by their working qualities. This state of affairs suited everyone until the 19th century.

The description of the appearance of the foxes was varied, but work on the beast in cramped conditions led to a certain size range. At a dog for hunting on burrowing animals there cannot be a wide chest, a voluminous trunk. Along with this, the fox terriers are strong, hardy to withstand the attack of wild animals.

The color requirements were also imposed so that the dog was visible from afar and could not be confused with a red fox. Opting for a person often cost Fox's life. The color of the hunting dogs should be significantly different from the beast.

Fox hunting is a common activity among the British. Therefore, a capable fox terrier was worth its weight in gold, and its loss led to a long search for another pet.

With Foxes went not only on the fox. They dragged on the otter, rabbitskilled large rats. Their task was to drive the beast out of the hole. The hunters rode on horses and took with them special bags where small fox terriers were placed. They were released already if necessary.

Perhaps, others took part in the formation of the breed. From the latter, these little hunters inherited the viciousness necessary to fight the beast. The English White Terrier also made a great contribution, which is evident from the abundance of light-colored areas of wool at Fox.

Wire Foxes first appeared at the exhibition in 1859. A few years later they were assigned to a separate class. In parallel, a process of changing appearance. Foxes acquired smooth lines of the body, elegant outlines of the head, neck set was transformed.

It is not for nothing that the wire-haired fox terriers are called gentlemen among hunters.

With the approach of the 20th century, new prospects opened up for the breed. They were bought by the Germans and the Austrians and taken to their homeland. The breeding of wire-haired foxes in these countries was hindered by a small number of livestock. Therefore, breeding of imported dogs with local representatives of other breeds was practiced. As a result, the Germans managed to achieve lasting results, and their fox terriers became famous throughout the world.

The First World War and subsequent recessions in the German economy led to a temporary oblivion of the breed. Fox terriers were actively exploited at the front. After the end of hostilities and stabilization of the economy, hunting breeds restored populations.

It was the German breeding era that brought those wire-haired fox terriers closer to the modern understanding of the standard. Today, dogs of this breed do not belong to an endangered species, they can be found on the hunt, in the homes of animal lovers.

Character and temperament

A well-bred dog and a strong psyche are a guarantee of adequate pet behavior. Fox Terriers - dogs with a developed hunting instinct, which must be satisfied or direct energy in a different direction.

Positive traits:

• Cheerful
• Fearless
• Devotees
• Active
• Tricky
• Outgoing.

Negative qualities:

• May be evil
• Prone to fights,
• Stubborn
• They like to bark.

Dog and man

Wire Fox - ideal for hunters. In second place after them are active people, athletes. Definitely not suitable for the elderly and children. An experienced dog lover can cope with the education of a dog with such data.

Fox Terriers can be kept in the apartment. Living in an aviary, they will be bored, and the owners will get problems with behavior. Keeping foxes outside the walls of a house is a rarity.

In the apartment it is necessary to ensure the safety of the pet, especially for the puppy. You can purchase a special cage and lock the growing dog in it until the owners are at home. This will help to avoid unpleasant consequences, because the fox terriers are very curious. An adult and well-bred dog will not need it.

Wire-haired fox-terriers are usually not friendly with cats. Most often the character of a hunter wakes up, but if the dog grows with other animals from early childhood, then a quiet life is quite possible.

Unfortunately, hyperactivity, excitability of fox terriers, coupled with a desire for leadership, sometimes leads to outbreaks of aggression. Because of this, it is undesirable to have them in families with small children. Skirmishes are possible due to fearlessness of the dog with large animals. Fox terriers sometimes arrange a showdown in their own pack.

Nickname Choice

For girls: Jess, Margot, Tutti, Inga, Vesta, Lotta, Yant.
For boys: Lars, Zorro, Weiss, Hart, Bassoon, Sparky, Jack.

Walks

The wire-haired Fox Terrier tolerates heat thanks to its rich undercoat. Snow, rain are also not an obstacle to an active pastime. In moderate frosts, wire-haired Fox Terriers are doing well.

Walk with these dogs after growing up 2-3 times a daybut for a long time. The pet must be loaded with games, problem solving, memorizing teams. For a fox terrier, every exit to the street is a study of the world. Clothing will come in handy if walking paws can get dirty in reagents or other harmful substances. Overalls are worn after trimming in very cold air.

Feeding

Approximate diet from 7-8 months:

• Beef, lamb, veal offal - 2/3 of the portion.
• Steamed rice, buckwheat, vegetables - the rest.
• Raw egg - 2 times a month.
• Cottage cheese, kefir - 1-2 times a week to replace protein foods.
• Sea fish - serve 3 times a month instead of meat.
• Beef cartilage, bones - periodically.

It is advisable to increase the number of feedings with fermented milk products during active molting. Ready-made food is best chosen with the marking "for active dogs" in accordance with the size and age of the pet.

Hair Care & Trimming

The sturdy, elastic to the touch Fox Terrier coat requires some care. They practically do not fade, so they pluck the outer hair from them. This type of service is provided by groomers - hairdressers for animals. The plucking of the integumentary hair is called trimming. In dogs with pedigree hard hair and developed undercoat, this procedure is carried out. 1 time in 2-3 months.

Preparation for the exhibition involves regular trimming or rolling (when they pinch off the ripened awn constantly). If this procedure is neglected, then irritations on the skin may appear, the hair will deteriorate, and it will be much more difficult to achieve exhibition condition. Some owners of fox terriers learn to trim themselves and make progress.

Eyes are washed if the first signs of inflammation by pharmacy have appeared. White dogs have tear marks. They are washed off or masked on the eve of exhibitions. Claws ideally grind when walking on a hard surface, but you can shorten them at the groomer or at home. To do this, use a nail clipper, having previously studied the structure of the claws according to the schemes and anatomical drawings, in order to exclude damage to the vessels and not to bring the infection into the nail bed.

Parenting and training

Foxes are well trained. For normal coexistence, it is necessary to complete a general course of obedience with a professional trainer. If possible, wire-haired fox-terriers carry artificial burrowing stations. The standard RKF working tests are not provided.

If this is not possible or the dog does not show zeal for hunting, then you can teach him to run next to the bike, regularly engage in training. Fox terriers successfully perform in agility and other sports.

Fox-Terrier smooth-haired - a small temperamental dog, which is one of two varieties of this breed (there are also wire-haired Foxes), characterized by a short, pleasant to the touch coat. The smooth-haired fox-terrier is considered a classic variation of the breed, and these dogs are very popular with hunters, as well as lovers of energetic, cheerful and moving dogs.

Like all hunters, smooth-haired foxes have some nuances in upbringing and maintenance. In this text, we will talk about how a pedigree fox terrier with smooth hair should look like, what is its character, highlight the standard and external features of these dogs, and talk about how to care for foxes.

Smooth-haired fox-terriers belong to the average breeds of dogs bred for hunting small game, in particular, foxes. Initially, the name of these dogs came from their destination - “Fox” is translated from English as “fox”. That is, the fox terrier is a fox terrier. Also, an adult fox terrier is able to fight such serious animals as a badger, raccoon dog, large rodents.

The fox terrier has an excellent sense of smell and hearing, which is why they are used not only as hunters, but also as guards. Due to their modest size, the foxes are not able to be bodyguards, but they may well be responsible for the safety of property and territory. At the very least, a sensitive fox terrier will warn about the intruder's invasion with a loud bark.

The small size and friendly expression of the muzzle of the fox terrier should not deceive a person. In fact, they are fearless, fast and hardy dogs. Foxes have a stable psyche, independent, energetic and uncompromising character, while they are extremely attached to a person. But, the breed is not suitable for couch potatoes and for those who prefer to spend free time on the couch.

Smooth Fox Terrier - a dog that is not able to feel happy without regular physical exertion, training, long walks. If the animal is not taken out for hunting, this should be compensated otherwise: by running, swimming, studying various canine disciplines. Below we will talk about this in more detail.

Smooth Fox: Breed History

Fox terriers are a fairly “adult” breed by the standards of modern cynology - the first mention of the predecessors of these miniature hunters dates back to the 55th year of ancient years, even before our era. The small but formidable dogs that hunt for burrows were discovered and taken with them by the conquering warriors of the Roman Empire, who landed on British island lands. Wild dogs impressed the warriors with their unique ability - chasing and mining prey in the burrows, the ancestors of the Foxes could remain underground for an amazing amount of time.

As a separate breed, foxes have existed since the beginning of the eighteenth century - in ancient and expensive books devoted to hunting, representatives of this ancient breed are depicted, as well as a description of the nature and talents of foxes. The English painting by Sourri Gilpen, dated 1790, which immortalized a smooth-haired white-red fox terrier called Pitch, has also been preserved.

Note that despite the outward similarity of modern smooth-haired and wire-haired foxes, as well as their belonging to the same breed, the ancestors of these dogs were different. To form the standard for a smooth-haired fox-terrier, wild hunting dogs from the British Isles were knitted with beagles, greyhounds and even bull terriers, the ancestors of foxes with hard wool became English terriers, and then the smooth-haired fox-terriers themselves. Thus, the latter became the progenitors of “hard” foxes.

Smooth-haired Fox Terriers first appeared in Russia in the mid-18th century, when Prince Golitsin became interested in charming English dogs with a strong hunting instinct. By 1860, the breed had spread quite widely, and was recognized by Italian, Dutch and French dog handlers. Twenty years later, the breed was known in Norway, Australia, the USA and Germany.

The English club of breeders recognized the breed in 1875, a year later the official standard of the fox terriers was established in the pedigree club book of the country. Later, the breed called "Fox Terrier" was recognized in America, and in 1993 the dogs were recognized by the International Federation of Cynology.

It is interesting! The most famous smooth-haired foxeter is a dog named Igloo, owned by Admiral Richard Byrd. The dog accompanied the owner on an expedition to the Antarctic, on ice shelves, and is still considered the only animal in such an extreme situation.

Fox Terrier - Smooth: description and standard

For a long time, smooth-haired Foxes were selected exclusively for practical purposes - burrowing, underground hunting. Therefore, the first representatives of the breed were powerful, distinguished by a rough physique, had a large head with large jaws, a short neck. In the 1900s, the breed "split" into two types: Foxes, wire-haired and smooth-haired. The latter were considered more classical, and many hunters preferred them, believing them to be the "elite of the breed."

Later, the standard changed. Large, clumsy dogs began to be discarded, choosing more elegant puppies for breeding. Such fox terriers have come down to our days: graceful, elegant, but not “sonorous”.

An adult male fox terrier grows at the withers to 35-39 centimeters, the body weight of an adult dog reaches eight kilograms. Bitches are slightly smaller - lower, and their weight is about seven kilograms. In general, gender differences are negligible.

Fox has a beautiful elongated muzzle, rounded curious eyes set deep enough, small triangular ears folded "envelope". The ears of the fox terrier are quite heavy, dense, well covered with hair, and go down to the cheeks due to their own weight. If this does not happen, the ears are glued to the puppies, forming the correct shape of the head.

The thoroughbred fox terrier has a moderately narrow, flat forehead, tapering to the line of the eyes, the transition from the muzzle to the forehead is weakly expressed. The mirror of the nose should be black regardless of the color of the dog. Several colors are allowed: completely snow-white animals, as well as with red, black or black-red markings on white, while white coat always prevails.

Such colors were not chosen by chance: it was extremely important for hunters that the dog’s coat contrasted with the shades of the game coat, so as not to accidentally catch the dog with a shot. In addition, the white dog, even dirty in the ground, was still visible, even at dusk. For this reason, dark, and even more so black fox terriers did not participate in breeding, and now do not exist.

As befits a normal hunting dog, smooth-haired fox terriers have short, straight and thick hair, which is shortened to the stomach and groin, and somewhat lengthened on the back and hips. A dense fur coat allows the dog not to freeze in water, and to feel free in the narrowest burrows.

The whole structure of the dog’s body also meets these needs. Fox has a dry, muscular and embossed neck, a deep, but narrow and curved chest, and a flat back. The tail is high and beautifully planted; it should not be lowered down to the hind limbs, nor should it be twisted by a steering wheel or a ring on the back. Previously, Fox tails were halved halfway to protect the dog from biting wild animals. In this case, the tail is upright, like a stick. The limbs of the dog are strong, compact, allow the animal to dig the ground with force, as well as to pursue even the fastest prey.

Fox Terrier: psyche, personality traits

Smooth-haired fox-terrier is not among the calm and phlegmatic breeds. These dogs have an extremely excitable nervous system, they are always ready to exchange a cozy lounger for a walk or a hunting trip. This is one of the most active and energetic breeds, in addition, the strongest hunting instincts are manifested even in those dogs who have never seen game.

Nevertheless, the psyche of the fox terrier is stable, they are trained well and fulfill the requirements of a person, but only in the situation when they recognize him as a leader. For the fox terrier, hierarchy is very important - that is, from an early age, the puppy must understand that the person is the leader and the "main in the pack." It is necessary to educate foxes strictly, but sensitively and affectionately.

Smooth-haired fox terrier has an extraordinary intellect, developed ingenuity, is able to make decisions independently, without regard to the owner. In the nature of Fox attentiveness, agility, fearlessness, indefatigable curiosity. This dog should always be in the center of events, and not the slightest detail will slip away from it. But, the qualities necessary for a hunting dog are not always desirable for a pet.

It is difficult to imagine a dog worse than an ill-mannered fox. If you do not pay proper attention to training, training and raising the fox terrier, you can get an animal that will run away, always fight with other dogs, spoil furniture and household items, bark loudly or howl from boredom.

Table 1. Positive and negative traits of character and behavior of fox terriers

The owner of the fox terrier must be ready for another pedigree feature - an almost uncontrolled desire to dig. This is characteristic of many burrows, such as dachshunds, yagd terriers and others, including foxes. If the owner does not give the animal enough to rummage in the ground for walks, the dog will start digging the floor in the house, mercilessly spoiling the carpets, laminate or linoleum.

However, a well-mannered fox terrier is the pride of the owner, he is a noble, fearless and very gentle friend who is wonderful not only for the owner-leader, but also for all other family members. Fox terriers perfectly find a common language with children, but do not leave them alone with very little ones - a stormy temperament can play a cruel joke with Fox, and it can overturn or accidentally cripple a small child.

Separately, it is worth talking about the relationship of the fox terriers with other pets. As for other dogs, if Fox has not grown with them since puppyhood, then the problem may be the constant dominance of the hunter. Fox terriers have an impulsive, cocky temper, they are absolutely not afraid of dogs that are larger than them, and at any moment do not mind finding out who is stronger.

If we talk about other pets - cats, domestic rabbits and other animals, then the fox terriers can take them for their prey. These dogs have a very developed instinct for persecution, so they are able to attack street cats, do not miss a dove flock, and are able to catch a field mouse or other animal. Therefore, you need to walk Foxes either on a leash, or on an equipped enclosed area, or in nature, away from other animals. You can only let the dog off the leash when it is perfectly trained and responds to the “To Me” command in any circumstances.

It must be understood that in pursuit or in search of game of the fox terrier instinct is launched, so the dog is completely forgotten without hearing the owner's hail or other signals. Such shoots are fraught not only with the fact that the animal disappears from sight: the dog can be lost, be damaged by a car or be stolen.

How to train a fox terrier: features

As you know, hunting breeds are the most temperamental, wayward and proud, therefore, special attention should be paid to the education and training of the fox terrier. First, do not confuse these two concepts. Parenting is training the dog in "household" basics, so that the owner and his family are comfortable in contact with the dog and share living space with it.

Parenting

First of all, you need to determine the boundaries that the dog can not cross. The animal should have its own place to sleep (or the dog will be allowed to doze in an armchair or on the couch), to eat (it is unacceptable for the animal to take food to a secluded corner). The puppy needs to be provided with toys, explaining that biting shoes or other objects is unacceptable. An important aspect is toilet training.

A puppy who already has all the vaccinations needs to be repeatedly taken to the street, taking a treat with him. Each time the baby will do his work outside the apartment or at home, he must be vigorously praised and treated. A savvy fox terrier will quickly understand what is required of him.

You also need to make it clear to your pet that you can’t make loud noises, for example, meeting guests, jumping on people. At first, this is easy to do - the puppy should receive sufficient physical and mental stress for his age. A dog who walked well, explored the surroundings, ran for a ball or a bicycle, worked for obedience, and then ate at home, would sleep soundly and calmly.

Fox terriers, in principle, belong to those breeds, problems with which can begin only if the dog is lounging. For this reason, from the age of three to four months with a fox terrier, you need to attend classes in general obedience.

Dressura

The best option would be to attend group lessons with a dog trainer. Since the fox terrier does not belong to guard or service dogs, the best option would be to take a course of UGS (guided city dog) or OKD (basic dog training). Usually, the instructor selects a group of five to ten dogs of about the same age who study the basics of training together.

Group attendance is extremely helpful. They learn not only the dog, but also the owner, this is especially important for those who have a dog for the first time. In addition, group lessons form the puppy's understanding of how to behave with other animals, teach him how to behave, and reduce the excitement that often covers the fox terrier when he sees another dog.

The result of the training should be complete obedience to the animal. The dog must master the basic commands: walking next to the owner (on a sagging leash, not pulling), the ability to approach on command, the "Sit - lie - stand" complex, delivering the item (aporting). With each lesson, the program will become more complex, its saturation, pace will change, so neither the owner nor the dog will become bored. You can attend such courses constantly, since mental stress contributes to pleasant dog fatigue no less than physical.

An important point! The owner must understand that you need to visit the training site only in a positive mood. All problems, as well as dissatisfaction with the dog should be postponed until another time.

The dog will work only when it is praised and encouraged, when the owner with all his appearance shows that he is extremely happy with the success of the pet. If the fox terrier is rude, yelling at him or physically punishing him, the animal will suffer even from the upcoming training, will cease to trust the person! Despite the fact that Foxes are hardworking and sociable, they are categorically intolerant of rudeness or pain. The dog will triple resistance if he feels violence.

Therefore, working with fox terriers (and any other dogs) is necessary only with positive reinforcement. A competent instructor will definitely tell you how to properly encourage a dog. Each pet needs its own approach - puppies are usually started to be trained, motivating and rewarding dainties, later food can be replaced with a toy, affection and praise by voice.

Video - Group training with a fox terrier

Dog training disciplines

Smooth-haired fox terriers, due to their energy and desire to interact with a person, can participate in some canine disciplines, such as agility, coursing, dog-frisbee, freestyle. These activities will bring a lot of pleasure to both the dog and its owner, as well as allow to develop the pet's talents, load its body and brain.

Table 2. Sports for the Fox Terrier

Kind of sport	Description
Agility	A sport based on a dog passing an obstacle course. For a while, the pet must overcome the following shells: barriers of various types and complexity, soft and hard tunnels, swings, slides, booms. The essence of the competition is that the animal can not be forced - the dog enters the site without a collar and leash, and the owner can cheer the dog up only with his voice.
Coursing	Running for a mechanical hare on a special track. Classes are held outside the city, in large cities in covered halls with a special coating. The animal is dressed in a muzzle and released in front of him is "game", which the dog must pursue. An ideal sport for hunting breeds, allowing you to throw out energy and satisfy your instincts.
Dog frisbee	Chasing and catching a special rubber disc - Frisbee. The owner must make a series of different throws, the dog’s task is to catch the plate while it is in the air. A dog-frisbee develops a dog from the physical side, as it is a complex of running and jumping exercises, and also allows the animal to think logically, to guess the trajectory of a flying object.
Freestyle	Dancing with a dog. Spectacular discipline in which tricks and command execution to music are combined. The owner must select a specific music and put a number under it. Freestyle allows you to strengthen the relationship between the pet and the owner, a positive effect on trust and respect in the couple. In addition, the dog in the form of a game teaches many complex tricks and non-trivial actions.

If the dog attends hunting, the owner must enroll in special courses where the animal will be trained to approach the hole for a noiseless signal, find and serve objects, execute the “Search” command, and also behave calmly in a shoulder bag. They also work with a fox-terrier in an artificial hole, teaching the animal to navigate underground in the dark, pull out prey from the hole and bring it to the owner.

It is important to understand that until the dog has learned the basic commands, it is impossible to proceed to special training, and even more so to take the dog for hunting. An inexperienced pet may get lost or frighten away the game with a loud bark, in the worst case, it may suffer in a fight with a wild animal.

How to care for a smooth-haired fox-terrier?

Keeping a smooth-haired fox terrier is not particularly difficult. The dog’s short coat does not require specific care: it is enough to comb out the dog once a week with a massage brush with short teeth or a rubber massage glove. The fox terriers fade twice a year, and during these periods the dogs should be bathed properly with zoo shampoo and often scratched so that the hair does not fly around the house.

Washing the dog is often also not required. It is enough to bathe your pet every three to four months, or after severe pollution or swimming in natural reservoirs. Choosing a shampoo for a fox terrier is very simple - a moisturizer intended for everyday use will be quite enough. Before exhibitions, the dog can be washed with professional shampoo for white dogs.

Fox also needs standard grooming, just like any pet dog. Once a couple of weeks, the animal is trimmed with claws using a claw cutter (if the claws are ground during walking, you do not need to shorten them further). Three times a week, the dog brushes his teeth using dog toothpaste. For this procedure, you can purchase a special soft-type toothbrush, or you can use a bandage wound around your finger. You need to teach your puppy to brush your teeth from a very young age in order to exclude resistance in the future.

If we talk about preparing for the appearance of a puppy in the house, there will be no particular expenses. The animal should have two bowls - for food and water, a strong collar, a leash for training (you can add it with a tape measure with a long cord for walking). Also, the puppy will need several toys (it’s better to buy different ones: balls, hauling-ropes, Frisbee disc, adapted to nibble). If the dog is not planned to be put on a sofa or chair, you need to buy or make a soft, spacious couch for her.

It is important that the dog receives enough physical exertion, and at times when the pet is at home - communication with people. It is cruel to isolate the dog from family members, it is also unacceptable to keep a smooth-haired fox terrier on the street, it does not matter in the aviary or on the chain. These are social dogs that will suffer without contact with a person, which will adversely affect both the nature of Fox and its health.

As for the health of the fox terrier, from the moment a puppy appears in the house, you need to find a good veterinary clinic where you can turn for advice and treatment. It’s great if the dog has its own veterinarian who will be aware of the whole history of life and illnesses.

How to feed a smooth-haired fox-terrier?

The most significant part of the life of any living creature, which has a huge effect on health and vital functions, is feeding. A balanced diet is extremely important for the dog, so the owner should approach this aspect with a special thrill. First of all, you need to decide how the fox terrier will eat - dry prepared industrial food, or natural products.

If the owner decides that the pet will eat dry food, you need to purchase a diet for dogs of medium breeds with high activity. You need to choose feeds of the “super-premium” or “holistic” class, such as “Grandorf”, “Wolf Blood”, “Nau”, “Go”, “Akana” and the like. Given that fox terriers are prone to allergic reactions, you need to immediately purchase food from the hypoallergenic line to avoid unpleasant health surprises.

If natural feeding is chosen, then two-thirds of the dog’s diet will be fresh raw meat, sea fish, and offal. Such food is most typical for the stomach of a predator, and especially a hunting dog. Every day the fox terrier should receive fiber (vegetables and fruits: carrots, apples, squash, pumpkin), berries, fresh herbs, a small amount of cereals (rice, buckwheat).

Be sure to include lactic acid products in the diet: kefir, low-fat natural yogurt, yogurt. Natural feeding implies that several times a week the animal will receive raw eggs, chicken or quail, vegetable oils (raw fruits and vegetables are better absorbed with them).

If the animal eats natural products, the consultation of the veterinarian on the subject of vitamins or other elements that will need to be added to the diet will not interfere. The fact is that in ready-made industrial feeds all the substances necessary for the dog are already present, and in the right dosage, depending on the breed. With natural feeding, it’s more difficult, and in order to have a balanced diet, we recommend annually taking a biochemical blood test with your dog, which will reveal deficiencies or surpluses of all important elements and substances.

we will analyze in detail what it is impossible to feed the dog, what products are strictly prohibited for representatives of any breeds, and can harm them.

Shorthair Fox Health and Disease

Smooth-haired fox terriers are relatively healthy breeds with high life expectancy. If the owner takes a responsible approach to feeding his pet, gives all vaccinations in a timely manner and regularly visits the veterinarian when necessary, the fox terrier is able to live ten to twelve years comfortably. However, these dogs have a number of pedigree diseases to which they have an inborn tendency. These diseases include:

1. Diseases of the eyes (glaucoma, cataracts, the appearance of extra cilia that interfere with vision).
2. Melanomas
3. Bowel lesions.
4. Diabetes
5. femoral joints.
6. skin rashes.
7. Joint and muscle problems.

We should also talk about the breeding of breeding animals. Despite the fact that bitches of a smooth-haired fox terrier tolerate pregnancy well and give birth on their own (usually three or four puppies in the litter), it is forbidden to breed a dog under the age of one and a half years. Too young and fragile a bitch will bear labor difficult, which can be accompanied by a halt of development, various pathologies, in the worst case - the death of offspring and the mother herself.

Males are untied after one year of age; before breeding, both dogs need to be tested and receive a veterinarian's opinion. Of course, only pedigree dogs go to the breeding, with pedigrees and victories at exhibitions, bearing value for the pedigree gene pool. The fact that a dog must be given birth for health is a myth.

How much does a smooth-haired fox terrier puppy cost?

Intending to acquire a Fox puppy, a person must understand that you need to make a purchase only from the breeders, in the nursery dealing with this breed. You do not have to succumb to ads on social networks or on popular sites if sellers cannot confirm the pedigree of the proposed puppies, as well as show the future owner all the documents, as well as the parents.

When buying a fox terrier, you also need to decide what class a puppy should be. If the dog will be called to please the person as a companion or go hunting with him, then you need to consider puppies from a working couple (hunting dogs that have passed special tests) or a pet class. This means that the puppies were born from dogs with a pedigree and exhibit ratings, but have some external defects. The cost of such a fox terrier varies from ten to fifteen thousand rubles, and this means that the dog will not be able to take part in exhibitions.

Brid puppies are dogs that meet the stated standard, but are unlikely to become ring stars and champions. As a rule, females are able to bear and give birth to healthy offspring. A bitch-dog is usually knitted with show males, transmitting their magnificent external data to the puppies. Brid-class puppies can reach twenty thousand rubles in price, and fox terriers of the “show” class, the most promising for exhibitions, have a cost of up to thirty thousand rubles and above, depending on the blood.

You must understand that the above prices are approximate. So, for a puppy, a couple of working parents may well demand the same money as for a show puppy. But, whatever the dog, the main thing is its character. Because the true fox terrier, despite external flaws, will always remain an active, courageous and extremely loyal dog, ready to go after the owner wherever.

Summarizing

Smooth-haired fox-terrier is a specific breed, hunting, temperamental, requiring a special approach, careful education and a lot of attention from the owner. The best option is to get this dog to a person who regularly attends hunting events in order to fully reveal all the talents of the fox terrier, to appreciate its tough and gambling character.

However, the breed is often bred by those who love outdoor activities, often go outdoors, and want to see next to them even a small, but temperamental, energetic and active dog, not a decorative dog, but a real companion, a faithful and fearless friend, defender and guard .

Fox terriers - seasoned, specially bred for hunting fox, otter, badger and other animals living in holes. They are also excellent Pied Piper. Naturally, the working qualities developed over the centuries leave an imprint on the behavior and character of today's representatives of the breed, some of which the fox was never seen in the eye, and did not smell. The indefatigability of the fox terrier, the indefatigable temperament, the willingness to track and pursue - this is far from a complete description of this breed.

Even Arthur Conan Doyle, through the mouth of an unforgettable Holmes, referring to Inspector Lestrade, expressed himself in the spirit that he looked like a fox terrier. “There is a lot of energy, little intelligence” - the opinion of the beloved art hero about the competitor and the fox terrier. Was Sherlock Holmes right about the fox terriers, or was he mistaken, as is the case with Copernicus? Let's take a closer look at what kind of dog this is - a fox terrier.

Description of the breed and photo

The breed dates back to 1876, when the first description was compiled. It turned out to be quite successful and to date has not undergone such major changes.

• Origin: England.
• Life span: 13-14 years old.
• Recognized by: FCI, CKC, AKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, UKC, ACR.
• Group: terriers.
• Dimensions: large and medium size.

Description of smooth-haired Fox Terriers in accordance with the breed standard

• Appearance: attentive, constantly alert dog.
• Head: a flat, slightly narrowed skull, gradually tapering to the eyes, with a noticeable transition between the nose and forehead. In relation to the size of the dog, the head is large, elongated and strong, but not heavy.
• Eyes: dark, small, set deep, have the most round shape.
• Sight: lively and smart.
• The ears: small, V-shaped, do not fall forward to the cheeks and do not hang on the sides of the head.




• Nose: black, with wide open nostrils.
• Teeth: even, in full set, quite large for the size of the dog.
• Bite: by type of scissors.
• Neck: dry and muscular, without a chest, gradually expanding to the shoulders. Its length is approximately the same as the length of the head.
• Shoulders: long and sloping.
• Forelimbs: with strong bones, straight, forearms look vertical. When viewed from the front, not the slightest angularity is noticeable.
• Torso: represents a deep narrow chest. The back is short, straight and strong. The loin is energetic, slightly curved.


• Hind limbs: strong and muscular, with long and strong thighs, well-curved elbows and low hock joints. The paws are small, round and compact with slightly raised fingers and hard, resilient pads.
• Tail: docked, but sufficient length left to give the dog's figure elegance. The base is high, the dog carries its tail up, without bending to the back and without rounding.
• Wool: straight, smooth and thick. The inside of the thighs and stomach should not be bald.
Color: completely white, white with black or red spots. In any case, white should dominate.
• Weight: males - 8–9 kg, females - 6.800–7.700 kg.
• Height at the withers: males - 41 cm, females - 38 cm.

The description of the wire-haired Fox Terrier breed is similar to the description of the smooth-haired, the hair is their main difference

• Appearance: lively, curious, elegant, strong in small sizes dog, constantly alert and tense, moving fast, sociable, friendly, fearless.
• Proportions: the length of the body from the upper point of the shoulder to the buttocks is equal to the height at the withers, the length of the skull should be approximately equal to the length of the muzzle, the upper line of the skull is almost flat, the muzzle tapers slightly from the eyes to the nose and softens at the junction with the skull.
• Eyes: dark, moderately small, as round as possible.
• Ears: small, V-shaped, do not fall forward to the cheeks and do not hang on the sides of the head.
  
• Back: short, straight, strong.
• Limbs: straight, with strong bones, including on the legs.
• Tail: set high, usually docked, the dog carries it raised up, not bending to the back.
• Wool: very hard to the touch, white color dominates, but black and red spots occur.
• Height at the withers: males - 39 cm, bitches slightly lower.

Breed history

Having decided to acquire a thoroughbred dog, it is necessary to study the history of the breed, which leaves an imprint on the working qualities of its representatives, their habits, character, temperament, weaknesses, advantages, and the like.

Fox Terriers are English. They are mentioned in sources related to the 13th century in the context of fox hunting. It was about dogs of small sizes, which are able to penetrate the fox hole and hold the beast for the required time. It is believed that any terrible small dogs that took part in hunting on the ground were called fox terriers, because the word “fox terrier” consists of two parts: “fox” - “fox”, “terra” - “earth”.


According to one version, their ancestors were "peat dogs." Other experts are of the opinion that getting the breed as a result cross breeding:

• black & Tan Terrier
• old white english terrier;
• old English wire-haired black tan terrier;
• hounds;
• and even .
History has kept information about an English breeder specializing in breeding dogs suitable for fox hunting.

For this kind of activity, dogs need very specific parameters: contrasting color with the beast, small size for easy penetration into the hole, not wide, brave, hardy, attentive, energetic. The demand for animals with such qualities was constant due to the popularity of the famous English fox hunt. The fishing of another animal living in holes also did not lose relevance.

Did you know? The first mention of the terriers that made up the company of the Roman legionnaires who landed on the Foggy Albion was recorded 55 BC. e.




In 1876, lovers of fox terriers united in a club and continued to improve the characteristics of an ideal hunter. For this mating was carried out, in particular, with dogs of the following breeds:

• bull terrier;
• english terrier and others.

In the year the English club was formed, the Fox Terriers came to Germany, where later, in 1889, a German club was founded following the example of English colleagues.

In the XIX century, the breed came to Russia, where it began to be selected in a special, Russian direction, relying on German and English representatives. Unfortunately, only a few individuals survived the revolution, thanks to which they nevertheless managed not to lose the results of the work put in by the breeders who worked on the Russian line of fox terriers.

Did you know? One way or another, but by the end of the XVIII century dogs with the necessary qualities were bred and even isolated in a separate breed.




Currently, both smooth and wire-haired varieties are popular, but the latter are more numerous. This breed does not lose its relevance and popularity to this day. Fox terriers are great at exhibitions and in the field, which have earned popularity in many countries.

Important! Breeders breeding fox terriers for exhibitions have made some changes to the breed: dogs have become a little less courageous and fervent, but aggression has also been reduced, and sociability and friendliness has increased.

Varieties

When exhibiting their animals at exhibitions, the owners (and judges) at first did not attach any importance to what type of wool the fox had. Smooth ones were represented by a large number. In 1872, the Birmingham Exhibition was held, in which the wire-haired variety was singled out in a separate class. The standard for this species was adopted in 1913, subsequently it was repeatedly revised.

Currently, two varieties of fox terriers are distinguished, differing in the type and structure of wool, both are equally popular and equivalent:




Important! In our country, the breeds were divided only in the middleXX century, before their representatives were crossed regardless of the type of coat. Echoes of those mating in smooth-haired ones are sometimes found even now: wavy or too long hair forming “trousers” on the legs, and an inappropriate “collar” can adorn the neck or the tail on the tail. All this is now considered to be the fault of the breed.

Care Features

The Fox Terriers do not need any special tricks, additional inventory or complex manipulations. Wire-haired, however, still require some attention to their hairline, but it is better to entrust this matter to a professional, and these procedures are not often required.

Wool, ears, eyes, teeth, claws

Variety having wool, requires some features of caring for her. It is carried out by a professional, but the owner can verify the need for trimming on his own, trying to forcefully pull a certain amount of wool from the withers. These are dead hairs from which the pet should be disposed of. If the wool remains in the fingers - it is time to write to the master.

Smooth-haired pets will also not mind combing shedding undercoat, especially since now there are devices that can make this procedure pleasant, and the dog will love it, if only because the owner will devote time to talking with her.

The ears You need to inspect regularly and do not touch them, making sure that they are healthy. Once a few months, regrown hair is plucked from the ear canal to avoid possible infection. Dirt is removed with a cotton swab dipped in a special tool, and then powdered with powder.

Most animals, including fox terriers, in the corners eye discharge periodically accumulates - a product that results from self-cleaning of the eye. It dries, and in this place a crust forms, which is an attractive opportunity for bacteria to reproduce.

Therefore, the corners of the eyes and the hair growing around them should be gently wiped with a damp cotton swab or special napkins. If the discharge has become purulent, yellowish or greenish in color and abundant, you must urgently go to the veterinarian who will diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Behind with teeth it is convenient to look after in the course of daily feeding of the pet. Carrots, crackers and other solid foods will prevent the appearance of tartar - the cause of inflammatory processes in the mouth. If this method is not possible, manual brushing should be done. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a month using dog paste. If the appearance of the stone was missed, you need to go to the doctor who will remove it.

When the fox terrier has the opportunity to run around freely, it claws They grind naturally and do not need a haircut. If this does not happen, the claws should be cut about 1 time per week or as needed. You also need to periodically inspect the pads on the paws, remove the grown wool.

After long active walks, paws should be washed or wiped, especially in winter, when reagents can be scattered on the street. If there is damage to them, you need to provide the pet with the help that the wound requires.

Important! Brush the Fox Terrier- a hygiene measure carried out from time to time depending on the need. It can be turned into a ritual that gives joy to the dog and the owner and provides both communication, especially valuable for the pet.




Bathing

Often Fox Terriers do not bathe. They have a thick undercoat that, when wet, dries for a very long time. As necessary, or about 1 time per month, the fox terrier is bathed in the bath, showering it with warm water that matches the animal’s body temperature using a special shampoo.

They bathe as quickly as possible, after which they thoroughly get wet from excess water and provide a warm place where the dog can dry. For this, she will need quite a lot of time.

Important! You can not bathe a dog at a time when it is cold outside and / or at home!

Feeding

After the owner opts for natural or natural, he must adhere to the chosen tactics in the future, without mixing the types of feed. Overfeeding Fox Terriers - they may develop obesity and impaired functioning of body systems.




The selection of a dry, high-grade, full-fledged one presents some problem, but after the choice is made and the food suits the pet, there will be no hassle. True, the needs of the dog can change temporarily or permanently, so you still need to monitor the state of its health, well-being, appearance - all of these parameters can be affected by inappropriate food.

Feeding natural food is undoubtedly more troublesome, but the owner knows for sure that he fed the dog, and can assume with a high probability what it might lack in the diet. There the following products must be present:

• chicken and beef;
• fish, of course, without bones;
• cottage cheese;
• eggs
• greenery;
• vegetables: cabbage, carrots, zucchini;
• porridge: oatmeal, buckwheat, rice.

Important! Do not feed the dog leftovers and leftovers from the human table- she has a completely different enzyme system, different from the human one, so human food will not work for her for the future.

Puppies eat more often and fractionally; growing up, the dog consumes a large portion at longer intervals.

Walks

Walking for the fox terriers is extremely important., so think a few times before getting such a dog: can you provide it with the necessary activity? The fox terrier is a hunter, always attentive, intense, constantly on the alert and ready to respond at any moment. Such features that are inherent in the dog must be provided with a way of life.

The need for constant training for foxes in the blood, if they do not receive them, then they behave destructively: they spoil things, become naughty, bark and the like. A calm dog (if this expression can be applied to fox terriers at all) is an onslaught dog that has spent most of the energy that nature and selection endowed with it for a long, intense and dangerous hunt.

Did you know? It is from hunting within the city that the fox terrier should be discouraged, because it can be regarded as an object of others, even much larger than itself, dogs, cats, other animals and even children!

Games that allow the pet to usefully spend time should be mobile and long. For example, you can take it with you on a bike ride, play with the ball, with sticks and more. It should be remembered about that, which will help keep the animal in the framework and will not allow it to become impudent and sit on your neck, to which Foxes are very prone.




Besides loads will serve as excellent disease prevention and will provide an invaluable opportunity for communication, which the fox terriers need more than most domestic dogs.

Character

It is obvious that the fox terrier is not suitable as a favorite for lovers of a sedentary lifestyle. A calmly lying fox terrier is a rarity; it is sometimes difficult to even track its movements. Therefore, it is desirable to keep such a dog, having own house with a plot. If the fox terrier is to become a resident of the apartment, you need to make sure that he has enough time and space for walking.

A characteristic feature of these dogs is affection for his master, the willingness to bestow with his love and devotion in unlimited proportions. However, to herself, she requires increased attention, but at the same time, of strong will, since the type of Fox Terrier is dominant. They have high intelligence and the ability to make independent decisions - a valuable quality for a hunting dog, but somewhat burdensome to the owner in the case of a dog - a pet.




Important! It is impossible to physically punish fox terriers, this type of punishment will provoke aggression- Another characteristic working quality of the breed, and destructive behavior, in other words, acts committed "in spite".

If you took a puppy into the family, it will most likely get along with all its members, which are hierarchically lower than the owner, in the dog’s view, of course, with children, pets. An adult animal, especially not receiving special education, which makes it possible to distinguish "prey" from a "flock," may well drive cats, and even have complaints about children.


Outsiders who are not, in the opinion of the pet, a danger, he will accept favorably, especially if a person is ready to admire him, play, scratch. But do not flatter yourself about his obvious friendliness: a moment of danger instantly transforms the fox terrier, turning him into a selfless defender.

Traits reflecting the nature of the Fox Terrier are indicated in the breed description:

• indefatigable courage;
• great strength for a small body;
• addiction to passion;
• extreme stamina;
• maliciousness in the presence of an enemy;
• independence in decision making.
Aggressiveness in the animal, foolishness and a tendency to engage in fights are considered a breed marriage.

The courage of the fox terrier, the lightning speed of the reaction, the assertiveness are the most valuable qualities in the field, when you need to prevent the beast from biting or injuring yourself, and having time to do it first, do not be afraid to follow it into the hole and most often take an unequal battle, because a wild beast protects its life and sometimes offspring in their home, his courage in such conditions is unlimited.


In the human world, a pet is forced to cope with many inherent qualities, upbringing and, of course, training help them in this.

Training

A hunter will undoubtedly become the best owner for Fox, which requires both regular physical activity and maintaining hunting instincts and developing the qualities of the breed.

Thanks to the inherent breed of intelligence and quick-witted Fox Terriers able to quickly and efficiently learngrabbing everything on the fly. True, at first, minor difficulties may arise due to the stubbornness that is also characteristic of foxes. When the process is getting better and the dog gets used to it, things move like clockwork, because the fox terriers have excellent memory and observation.

They introduce the puppy to his “flock”, that is, family members as follows: the owner brings it to everyone, calling his name, as it were.

From the first days the puppy should accustom to family members. Each of them should stroke him while the puppy drinks milk, calling him by name, trying to adhere to the same intonation so as not to confuse the baby. A "lesson" for a baby should not last more than a quarter of an hour - because he needs not only to receive information, but also to learn it.

One of the first and most important tasks of the owner is pet training for tidiness and toilet. Until the age of two months, the baby defecates about 12 times a day, and the owner's task is to appoint a place for this and determine the time for natural need. Having fed the puppy, he is taken out to the street and, when he defecates in the required place, he is praised.

When he learns this lesson, he is presented with the following: after the bowel movement begins, the code word is pronounced, and it is closely connected with the process in the animal’s memory. In this way, they develop a reflex to correct a natural need on command.

The puppy is raised with a firm hand, not allowing himself, however, to physically punish him, all the more so to beat with a hand: a dog afraid of the owner’s hands is hardly the effect that one would like to have. The upbringing of the dog aims to instill in the pet an understanding of which of his actions are desirable and which are unacceptable.

The owner should always be consistent in his requirements, they should not vary depending on the situation: if you can’t do something, then you can never and under any circumstances, otherwise the team loses its meaning.

Training for a collar with a leash begins as early as possible so that the dog is accustomed and does not allow the thought that it could be otherwise.

Dog training for hunting It should be a little later after he has learned the basic rules of living and grow up a little.

Training, ideally, should give pleasure to the pet and its owner, it should be interesting and productive, especially since the qualities of Foxes contribute in every way to this.

Did you know? A great incentive and encouragement for these dogs is the praise of the owner, for the sake of recognition and admiration they are ready for much.

The best time for training is morning, before breakfast, it is most productive and is full of positive emotions. In general, the process is not particularly difficult, but at some points both participants may require patience and understanding.




Knitting Features

Physiologically, Foxes are ready for breeding by the age of one year, and some earlier. But the early ones are not recommended for this breed, since the female body is not strong enough and has formed to withstand the stresses associated directly with the most viscous, pregnancy, childbirth and feeding.

Males at this age are also not yet formed, they do not need excessive hormonal loads. Undesirable physiological changes that are associated with early mating can lead to some diseases.

Important! Males are knitted from the age of 24 months, females- from a 20 month old. It’s best to plan your first mating for a third estrus.

To maintain the purity of both varieties of the breed (smooth and coarse) according to their standard you can not knit among themselves.

In order for the dog to cope with the mating, the bitch is brought to him, and not vice versa. The mating process is planned in the early morning before breakfast, giving the dogs the opportunity to get to know each other, play a little together in the most secluded place, where there are no strangers.




Disease

As already mentioned, the key to good health of the fox terrier is physical activity and good nutrition. More often than other diseases, fox terriers get sick:

• glaucoma
• hip dysplasia;
• melanoma
• cataract
• bloating.
The peculiarity of these dogs is their high sensitivity to medicines.

From a puppy's age, it is advisable to pick a good veterinarian and use his services all the time. So the doctor will own information about a specific animal, starting from his childhood, know the features, and it will be easier for him to make a diagnosis and develop treatment tactics if necessary.

Most often, fox terriers shine with excellent health and rarely get sick, living with a long and happy dog \u200b\u200blife with loving owners.




Fox Terrier

Old George, at the cost of his life, saved the students who were attacked by two pit bulls. The boys managed to escape, and the dog received injuries incompatible with life, the hero had to be put to sleep.

- VIP person


In 2014, the 5-year-old Skye became the winner of the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show exhibition, which has been held since 1877. Throughout the history of the exhibition, no breed has won more than 8 times, except for the Fox Terriers: they triumphed 14 times!


Although there is no material reward for this victory, except for the prize - a silver bowl, the prices of offspring from the triumph soar. Specifically, Sky honored the audience of Donald Trump himself, then a TV star and a billionaire.

Fox Terriers


There are legends about Royce's workshops. According to one of them, the work of the motors was checked by specially trained fox terriers. Even if the mechanic gave a conclusion that the engine was working, if it was "rejected" by Fox, the engine was sorted out, and the "conclusion" of the dog was always confirmed. Other car repair shops began to follow this example.




The trading logo of the EMP company is the fox terrier Nipper, listening to the voice of his late master, coming from the phonograph tube. This touching picture was captured by Frank Barro, noticing how the dog of his dead brother listens to the voice of the owner recorded on a special roller. The logo is a trademark of the company from 1910 to the present.

Royal Fox Terrier


Caesar, a favorite of the King of Great Britain Edward VII, became the founder of the English organization of dog-collecting donations. This royal favorite, along with the royal war horse, was honored to accompany the host king on his last journey. His grief shook the nation, which was expressed in the touching painting "Silent grief", written by the English artist Maud Earle.

The tomb of King Edward and his Queen Alexandra is in the chapel of St. George. If you look closely, at the feet of the deceased king you can see his faithful friend and companion Caesar curled up.

- animal rescuer

A dog named Beauty, owned by PDSA Englishman Bill Barnett at the beginning of World War II, when London was bombed, became the world's first rescue fox terrier.

She specialized in rescuing pets from the rubble.

So, the hunting qualities of the magnificent Beauty saved the lives of 63 animals. Rescuing her 64th cat, the heroine died.


A lot of good words can be said about this breed. If you need unlimited adoration, a faithful friend, a dedicated champion, an alert watchman, a cheerful companion, feel free to start a fox. But remember that these qualities are worth a lot, and the payment for them is very simple - love, attention and care for the pet.