Fox Terriers were bred for fox hunting in England, and they are probably the most intense of all the terriers. They are good-looking and intelligent dogs. They come in smooth, short-haired or wire-haired varieties.
If you are looking for a playful, active, curious and sometimes down-right naughty dog, this breed lives every moment like it’s their last. This could well be your perfect match.
They need plenty of exercise and playtime, and they could make the perfect jogging partner. This is not a breed for couch potatoes; you will need to be able to commit to long walks and endless ball games to keep them happy.
A bored dog will usually become a naughty dog, whether it be nuisance barking, chewing or digging. Try to ensure they are occupied with jobs, playtime or plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble.
They love their families and are good with kids; however, they have their limits and probably best to avoid young children with this breed, for older kids though, they will spend hours running around the back garden with them. This breed tends to bond more with one particular person.
They make excellent watchdogs, and you will always know who is at the door and anything suspicious or exciting outside. This breed has impressive hearing and will always sound the alarm. They are a bit un-trusting of strangers and, as with most dogs, will need good socialisation to combat this.
They are terriers and will generally be OK with other dogs and animals brought up in the same household. Strange dogs might be unacceptable, and these guys will never back down and are pretty likely to start a fight, regardless of size and shape, they think they can win everything. Small animals and neighbourhood cats will probably get chased out of the garden with one of these around.
They are very intelligent and easy to train. Try to keep training both exciting and fun for the best results and avoid being harsh with them; identifying their motivation reward early will get you the best results, and it’s normally food. You may not be able to let them off the lead without suitable training. Their love for picking fights and chasing small animals, with their self-confidence, sometimes means they think they know what’s best.
Depending on the coat, the shedding is moderate for the short-haired. Wire-haired require regular brushing and visits to the groomers unless you are prepared to learn how to do it yourself.
Fox Terrier Stats
A Fox Terrier requires a lot of company, plenty of exercise and preferably some time for relaxation. In return, your Foxie will give you undivided loyalty. When walking your dog, always have it on a lead. Fox Terriers can be very single-minded when they see something of interest, perhaps across the road and will chase after it – often with disastrous consequences.
- Weight -7kg –8kg
- Size – 33cm – 39cm
- They live for 10-14 years