Ratings

Breed Introduction

    Originating in England, the Fox Terrier dates back to the 18th century. The origins are unclear, with records of hard-haired types appearing 20 years later. Some believe it was bred from ancient hunting dogs, Smooth Fox Terriers, and Beagles. The breed standard for the Smooth Fox Terrier was established in 1876.

    It is primarily used for hunting small animals and pursuing their burrows, capable of fighting and capturing foxes. The Fox Terrier is intelligent and has a dignified appearance, making it a popular companion dog. Additionally, due to its love of barking, it is also used as a yard guard dog.

    In 1790, there is a documented record of this breed, as a short-haired white Fox Terrier named “Pitch” appeared in a painting by Colonel Thornton, immortalizing it.

    The Fox Terrier is part of the traditional English terrier group, bred in the 19th century for fox hunting, and is divided into rough-haired and smooth-haired varieties. The rough-haired Fox Terrier, besides having dense and coarse fur, is identical to the smooth-haired variety in all other aspects.

    The smooth-haired variety appeared at dog shows 20 years earlier than the rough-haired variety, but later, the popularity of the rough-haired variety surpassed that of the smooth-haired variety.

    The fur of the smooth-haired Fox Terrier requires almost no extra care, while the rough-haired variety needs to be clipped four times a year. The white fur on the Fox Terrier is specifically bred for dealing with foxes and for self-protection. When a terrier emerges from a burrow, it is often covered in dirt, leading some unfortunate terriers to be mistaken for foxes or other prey by their hunting companions—some large hunting dogs—resulting in attacks.