Toy Fox Terrier Dog Breed

The Toy Fox Terrier is quite the versatile companion. He is effortlessly elegant and clean yet still possesses the lovable, amusing terrier personality. Your Mini can be hunter, couch potato, playmate, guardian, travel companion, and therapy dog all in one little package. This breed is great for any person except very small children that have not yet learned the dangers of rough play. TFTs thrive indoors and are perfectly sized for small dwelling, although they will be happy with some yard time. Here are a few quick Miniature Fox Terrier facts:

PROS

• Small size allows them to live happily in apartments
• Require little grooming and are naturally clean
• Are not barkers unless necessary
• Can spend moderate time alone
• Are easily trained and housebroken
• Versatility to hunt, play or cuddle on couch
• Exercise needs can be easily met by most owners
• Make proper alert dogs
• Playful with most children (except very young)
• Gets along very well with other pets
• Generally healthy and long lived

CONS

• Not suited for cold or wet climates unless kept indoors
• Are not hypoallergenic
• Can be aloof and stand offish around strangers
• Not for families with small children
• May be prone to small dog syndrome if treated like a baby

Toy Fox Terrier owners and TFT breeders agree that this is the best of all toy breeds. In looks, she is elegant, squarely and sturdily built with a short and glossy, low maintenance coat. She has a bright mind that allows her to be versatile, easily trainable-- a true loving companion. Her temperament is part amusing and curious terrier, part loyal guardian, and part cuddly couch potato. To sum it up, TFTs are dogs of many contradictions but they are pleasant surprises.

Mini Foxies are very intelligent and excel in obedience and agility training. They are perfect for first time owners and are often said to be especially good for the elderly. Like many toy breeds, they are capable of developing nuisance behavior if treated like a child. If trained and socialized early they will be social with other pets, playful with children and tolerant of strangers. They also have loyal traits that make them natural guardians and even hunting partners.

This breed has many pleasant and amusing quirks about them. They will soak up attention like a sponge, often observing you first to make sure you're watching before they do something funny; they easily make impressive trick performing machines! Another amusing fact is, that for whatever reason, they detest being wet and will not appreciate being thrown in the pool or let out in the rain. A surprising tidbit.. they are not overly vocal, usually barking when you need to be alerted of something.

While not a considerable exercise buddy, your Mini will need moderate daily exercise. Take care not to exercise them in very cold weather since they are sensitive to these low temps. They also don't care for being wet so swimming and walking in the rain are out of the question. As to what they do like, there are so many possibilities! Hunting, games with toys, short walks, trips to the dog park, agility training, obedience training and just plain ol' playtime in a fenced yard will all work to take care of his exercise needs.

The Toy Fox Terrier is certainly one of the most impressive toy dogs. He is elegantly tiny yet has all of the terrier tenacity and strength of bone. Members of this breed are healthy and possess an aura of effortless agility and endurance due to their lightly muscled frames.

Toy Foxies have heads that are always described as "elegant" with very large (in proportion) ears that are v-shaped and erect atop the head. The large, round eyes are wide set and exude a bright alertness and curiosity so characteristic of terriers. Overall, their bodies are equally long as tall. The tail is set high and is often clipped short by breeders (although we do not condone or recommend this). If not shortened, the natural tail is long and glossy haired.

The smooth, shiny coat of the TFT is short and fine but slightly longer around the neck. The They are usually more than 50% white with a solid colored head of black, tan or chocolate (see coloration for specific combinations).

This is considered a pure breed and, as such, variations in true TFTs will be slight. The Toy Fox Terrier has a fine, smooth and shiny coat that is short all over the body but slightly longer in the neck region. Those seeking a long haired or wire haired member of this breed will be disappointed, as these coat types are not standard to the breed; you may be able to find mixes with these coat types at local shelters and adoption agencies.

Describing the personality of this breed cannot be done without contradictions. Although Mini Foxies are very loyal and alert guardians of their families, they are notably friendly and outgoing. They are both amusing firecracker and cuddly, doting lapdog. However, it is important to remember they are both terrier and toy dog-- meaning, they are tenacious, stubborn, very intelligent PLUS capable of small dog syndrome! Obedience training should take place as early as possible and, although you may want to, avoid treating them like a small child. Overall, these toy terriers are great for any owner (young or old) except for those with very small kids that may engage in rough play.

This keen and eager intelligence is a key component of the Toy Fox Terrier temperament. They are highly trainable and treats, praise and variety during training will go a long way to tame their terrier temperaments. These dogs are also known to house train easily making them excellent choices for first time owners. Socialization should take place very early in the Mini Fox Terrier's life for, although they are friendly and social towards other pets, they may be stand offish towards strangers due to their intense bond with the family. They make excellent watch dogs, as they are constantly on the alert (both out of curiosity and love for you).

Amazingly, this is a toy breed that can be left alone for normal daily activities such as work and school without issue. Another big bonus with this breed-- they are not very vocal unless alerting you to something they deem important. They are bright enough to keep themselves occupied if left in the yard with playmates or with toys; they enjoy exploring every inch of everything! Upon your arrival home they will greet your with an abundance of love-- they thrive upon your attention and will act like little clowns but can also cuddle up with you on the couch. These dogs will adore older children than have been taught to respectfully handle pets, however, it is not guaranteed they will tolerate rough play from small children.

If you are looking for a toy sized dog without most of the health concerns of other toy sized breeds, look no further! One AKC famed breeder even claims that a responsibly bred Toy Fox Terrier has less health issues than 99.3% of those breeds; these feisty little dogs will often live around 15 years. They have strong teeth and bones but are prone to a couple very common issues such as eye disease and patellar luxation. A few rarely encountered conditions that are still notable to mention include:

• Demodicosis- skin disease (mange) caused by mites that infect the hair follicles. This will cause patchy hair loss and is sometimes associated with and indicative of other diseases in the body.
• Von Willebrand's- inherited disorder that results in abnormal bleeding; especially important during surgeries.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes- deterioration of the femoral head (bone in the leg) that presents similarly to hip dysplasia.

You may have read about Congenital Hypothyroidism with Goiter, however, puppies with this disease will not survive past two weeks so this will not be a concern for those adopting or purchasing a puppy.
The best way to adopt or purchase a healthy pet is to do your research to find a reputable breeder; some offer certifications and health guarantees.