Smooth-haired fox terrier: breed description and character

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Smooth-haired fox terrier, aka Fox Terrier (Smooth), is a British breed of hunting dogs, bred in the 19th century in Ireland. Often referred to as "gentlemen among dogs", these terriers combine endless devotion to their owner with boundless courage, excellent scent and artistry.

Representatives of this breed, created for burrow hunting for badgers, raccoons and foxes, today in most cases live in city apartments, and have never been in forests and fields in their lives. But this is not a hindrance to the hunting instinct: any fast-moving object (for example, a bird, a cat or even a dog) can become the subject of persecution.

Ancestors

There is no exact information about which breeds were chosen to end up with a smooth-haired fox terrier. Cynologist experts say that they have the blood of white English, black and tan and smooth-haired black and tan terriers, spaniels and greyhounds, bull terriers and beagles, bulldog.

Why socalled?

In cynology, there are many breeds in which the word "terrier" is present. With their outward dissimilarity, all of them, although distant, are relatives. And the ancestors of such breeds were bred in the British Isles.

Fox Terrier is a common name for a group of hunting dogs that includes two main varieties: smooth-haired and wire-haired. "Fox" in English means "fox", and "terrier" (a modified Latin word terra) is translated as "earth". Thus, the smooth-haired fox terrier dog is a breed intended for underground (burrow) fox hunting.

History of the breed

The first information about fox terriers dates back to 55 BC. e., when the Roman legionnaires who arrived in the British Isles saw these hunting dogs. In the written sources of the 11th century, which have survived to this day, there are many references to burrow or underground terriers. Images of such dogs allow us to talk about their great similarity with modern fox terriers.

By the 17th century, as a result of the selection of hunting dogs for temperament and working skills, various breeds of terriers began to take shape, including burrows, such as the Smooth Fox Terrier.

The breed was first introduced at the 1861 English Dog Show. Around the same time, five fox terriers were bred, which are considered the founders of the modern smooth-haired variety. In 1875 British hunters organized an Englishfox terrier club, and the following year the first standard of this breed was drawn up and adopted, which turned out to be so successful that it is still used with minor changes.

Fox terriers became especially popular in British aristocratic circles during the reign of Queen Victoria. Representatives of this breed were popular not only in high society, but also among ordinary people who began to earn money by breeding such popular dogs.

By the end of the 19th century, smooth fox terrier puppies were exported to various European countries, primarily to Russia, Germany and Austria. Most of the exported animals were from reliable breeders such as Francis Redmont. A significant contribution to the improvement of the breed was made by German breeders, who paid great attention to improving the hunting working qualities of fox terriers.

History of the breed in Russia

In the 60s of the XIX century, the first representative of this breed was brought from England to St. Petersburg. She was crossed with a bull terrier, and one of the puppies that appeared was presented to Prince B. D. Golitsyn, who later became a fan of fox terriers.

The first Russian dog show, where four representatives of this breed were shown, took place in 1889, and ten years later about 50 were exhibited. Many kennels are organized in Russia, and in 1900 the Russian Society of Fox Terrier and Dachshund Lovers was created.

Today most of the Smooth Fox Terriers are companion dogs andfamily pets in which they do not seek to develop hunting characteristics. However, there are also enthusiastic hunters who own pets with excellent working qualities.

Appearance

As already mentioned, there are two varieties of this breed: wire-haired and smooth-haired fox terrier, the description of which differs only in the characteristics of wool: hardness and length. In the FCI Canine Association, these varieties are considered separate breeds and have different standards.

Smooth-haired fox terriers have a muscular, strong, dry and proportional physique. Their back is short, with strong bones, but the dog should not look shapeless and awkward. The neck is muscular and long, widening towards the shoulders. The chest is not wide, but deep. Dogs in the rack should give the impression of a stretched bowstring.

Unusual docked tail pointing up (unlike other breeds, it does not wag, but shakes). It is quite strong, which allows, in case of danger, to extract the dog from the hole for it. The skull is rather flat, tapering towards the nose with a poorly defined transition from the muzzle to the forehead. Jaws are strong and close together with a scissor bite. The eyes are dark, usually round, but the ears are small and triangular.

The Smooth Fox Terrier should have a straight, dense and smooth coat. The color is preferably white, but a combination with black and red marks is possible. Red or brindle inclusions are undesirable. The weight of males varies from 7.5 to 8kg, and bitches - from 7 to 7.5 kg.

Character

Fox Terriers are active, smart, friendly, but rather stubborn dogs, which can cause some difficulties during training. This little dog with a groovy temperament is ready to play and frolic at any time. Lightning reaction and very fast, rapid movements allow her to instantly respond to any action of the owner or other animals, but negatively affect the development of calm behavior and endurance.

People who cannot provide long and active walks, as well as representatives of the older generation (with reduced physical activity) should not get a dog like a smooth-haired fox terrier. Owner reviews indicate that pets of this breed do not tolerate insufficient attention to their person, and they can be jealous of their owner to other animals.

Foxes are sociable and quite pleasant in communication, but it is worth noting such a feature of them as a complete lack of tolerance for what they do not like. Even the owner can fall into "disgrace" if he has committed, in the opinion of the dog, an inappropriate act. A rare fox terrier in a he althy state will calmly respond to physical punishment and will not resist such violence.

Representatives of this breed are very addicted in the process of chasing and at such a moment they simply do not hear the screams and other signals of the owners. That is why it is recommended to bring fox terriers on a leash,in order not to lose the dog or prevent her injury in the city.

Do not get this breed of dog if you have very young children. Indeed, foxes are very fond of children, only if during the game the child hurts the dog, then he can bite in response, without understanding whether it was done on purpose.

Features of knitting

Modern canine standards, according to which wire-haired and smooth-haired fox terriers are considered different breeds, forbid them to be bred together.

If you plan to start breeding this breed, then you better contact the club or nursery, where they will tell you when and how the mating takes place. The Smooth Fox Terrier is not a particularly difficult dog in this regard, today it is quite easy to find a suitable pair for your pet.

How much?

Let's make a reservation right away that purebred dogs with a pedigree and a full package of documents are expensive, in the range of 400–500 US dollars.

Smooth-haired Fox Terrier, the price of which is below 10,000 rubles, is usually sold without a pedigree and any documents. If you are buying a cheerful companion and family pet, which you do not plan to exhibit, then it is quite possible to do without official documents.