Smooth Fox Terrier

Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers are considered two separate breeds now, but used to be considered varieties within the same breed. The Smooth was the first to come along, perhaps as early as 1790. The Smooth has a short, thick coat that needs only a quick brushing once a week.

Smooth Fox Terrier breed facts

The Smooth Fox Terrier was originally bred to go to ground, their innate sense to dig comes out unless taught otherwise.

The Smooth Fox Terrier was originally bred in England.

Information you should know before owning a Smooth Fox Terrier

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a lively, active, and sleek dog

The Smooth Fox Terrier is easily housebroken.

The breed requires occasional bathing and regular brushing to control the minimal shedding.

The Smooth Fox Terrier has a keen nose, remarkable eyesight, and staying powers in accomplishing his work.

The Fox Terrier is an old English breed. For almost 100 years it was registered and shown in the United States as one breed with two varieties, Smooth and Wire. However, in 1984 the American Kennel Club approved separate standards for the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier; this ruling became effective on June 1, 1985.

Authorities believe the two Fox Terriers probably originated from very different sources. The ancestor of the Wire is thought to be the old rough-coated, black-and-tan working terrier of Wales, Derbyshire, and Durham. The important ancestors of the Smooth are believed to include the smooth-coated black-and-tan terrier, the Bull Terrier, the Greyhound, and the Beagle.

One of the first records of the breed was made in 1790, when Colonel Thornton's "Pitch" - a smooth-coated white Fox Terrier - was immortalized in print and paintings.

Smooth Fox Terriers preceded the Wires in the show ring by 15 to 20 years. At first they were classified with sporting dogs, a tribute to their keen nose, remarkable eyesight, and stamina in driving foxes from their hole.

Early breeders liberally crossed Wire Fox Terriers with Smooths to give the former predominantly white pigmentation, a cleaner-cut head, and a more classical outline. However, interbreeding has been almost universally discontinued for many years.

The original breed standard was so well drawn in 1876 by the Fox Terrier Club in Great Britain that, with the exception of reducing the weight of a male dog in show condition from 20 pounds to 18 pounds, changes were unnecessary for many decades. The American Fox Terrier Club, the parent club of the breed in this country, adopted this standard when the club was founded in 1885.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	Yes
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Short
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Active and lively, bone and strength in small compass, never cloddy or coarse. Neither leggy nor too short in the leg, standing like a well made, short-backed hunter, covering a lot of ground.
	Characteristics Alert, quick of movement, keen of expression, on tiptoe of expectation.
	Temperament Friendly, forthcoming and fearless.
	Eyes Dark, small and rather deeply set, as near as possible circular in shape. Expression bright and intelligent.
	Mouth Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Clean and muscular, without throatiness, of fair length and gradually widening to shoulders.
	Forequarters Shoulders long and sloping, well laid back, fine at points, cleanly cut at withers. Legs from any angle must be straight showing little or no appearance of an ankle in front. They should be strong in bone throughout.
	Body Chest deep, not broad. Back short, level and strong without slackness. Loin powerful, very slightly arched. Foreribs moderately sprung, back ribs deep.
	Hindquarters Strong and muscular, quite free from droop or crouch; thighs long and powerful, hocks well let down, good turn of stifle.
	Feet Small, round and compact. Soles hard and tough, toes moderately arched, and turning neither in nor out.
	Tail Customarily docked. Docked: Set on rather high and carried gaily but not over back or curled. Of good strength. Undocked: Set on rather high and carried gaily but not over back. As straight as possible. Tail of moderate length to give balance to the dog.
	Gait / Movement Active and lively, bone and strength in small compass, never cloddy or coarse. Neither leggy nor too short in the leg, standing like a well made, short-backed hunter, covering a lot of ground.
	Coat Straight, flat, smooth, hard, dense and abundant. Belly and underside of thighs not bare.
	Colour White should predominate, all white, white with tan, black and tan or black markings. Brindle, red or liver markings highly undesirable.
	Size Dogs: 7.5-8 kgs (16-18 lbs); bitches: 7-7.5 kgs (15-17 lbs).