Toy Fox Terrier: Difference between revisions

Toy Fox Terrier
A Male Toy Fox Terrier of the "White Black and Tan" variety.
Other names	Tenterfield Terrier Mini Foxie
Origin	United States
Dog (domestic dog)

The Toy Fox Terrier is a toy breed of dog, directly descended from the Smooth Fox Terrier but considered a separate breed.

Toy Fox Terriers are small proud animated dogs with a muscular and athletic appearance. Notable characteristic traits include a short, glossy and predominantly white body, coupled with a predominantly solid head, and a short, high-set tail. The breed has an elegant head with an intelligent expression. The tail is naturally long, but is docked by a veterinarian or the breeder at two days of age (at the third or fourth joint) as required by the written breed standard. Acceptable colours are White, black and tan; White, chocolat and tan; White and tan and White and black. These variants are often known as 'Tri-Color', 'Chocolate', 'Tan and White' and Black and White' respectively. The height ranges from 8.5–11.5 inches at the shoulder (21.5–29.2 cm). In Australia the breed is referred to as either the Tenterfield Terrier or the Mini Foxie.

Originally chosen for their feisty attitude necessary to survive in a Smooth Fox Terrier litter, the Toy Fox Terrier's eagerness to go to ground as well as hunt any backyard game, especially rodents, honors his terrier roots. Lively and playful the toy fox terrier should never be shy or retiring and always up for a walk in the park or a toy toss game. Extremely watchful, a TFT will let you know if anything unusual is happening within its territory but is easily trained not to bark excessively. Naturally active, the TFT can be a real clown, readily entertained with a squeaky toy and will self-exercise if provided adequate space. Toy Fox Terriers were used commonly in circus shows by clowns, and they are said to make great companions for owners with a good sense of humor. TFT's get along with other dogs but can sometimes attempt to be dominant and will need to be firmly corrected to teach them that there is no need for that type of behaviour. TFT's are especially undaunted by dogs much larger than themselves and so curbing any dominant behaviour is an absolute necessity in order to prevent any altercations and possible injury to your dog. TFT's are a hunting breed. They will eagerly rid your home of any household pests from the occasional mouse to any fly that strays inside. It's imperative that your tft be walked on leash when in any area that may have distractions that could lure your dog out into traffic. Toy Fox Terriers have a very strong prey drive and may ignore your pleas to stop if they spot a squirrel across the street. TFT's have the tendency to be one person dogs and are extemely loyal and loveable to that person. Preferring the company of their owners, they are often not gregarious and therefore proper socialization is necessary to ensure the dog will be friendly with strangers. It has been said TFT's are renowned kids dogs, but they far prefer adult company to the company of children. TFT's are a toy breed and therefore should always be supervised when with younger (Under 14 years of age) children. Though amicable with older children they are not the best choice for families with young children or toddlers. They do make wonderful companions for seniors and for people with disabilities as they are able to adjust their activity requirements to that of their owner. TFT's are housetrainable to go entirely outside but they can be quickly trained to use a litter box, if necessary, for apartment dwellers or someone who is housebound..^[1]

The breed has a naturally well-groomed glossy short coat; toe nail clipping and a quick wipe with a damp chamois are basic grooming requirements. THIS IS A SHEDDING BREED, a grooming stone or hound glove can aid in the removal of loose hair, but be prepared to find dog hair on furniture and clothing if you choose to own a tft. Proper diet is helpful to reduce shedding.

Toy Fox Terriers, like other toy breeds, are prone to plaque build-up which can escalate to tartar build-up and periodontal disease. Being proactive is the best defense and daily dental care is imperative. Dogs may be provided products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Coucil, dental chew toys and there are products that can be added to food or water to help in the prevention of plaque build up as well as oral sprays. But, daily brushing is the most beneficial preventative and it is imperative that veterinary prophylaxis be performed if deemed necessary by your veterinarian. Poor dental care can lead to heart disease and other health issues.

Toy Fox Terriers can be prone to impacted anal glands and regular checks should be made to ensure the dog is properly clearing its glands. Manual expression may be necessary if the glands are not emptying properly on their own.

Overall, Toy Fox Terriers are a healthy and resilient breed and some owners tout their dog has never had a sick day in its life. However, the breed has several well documented genetic defects. CHG (a lethal form of dwarfism with a genetic marker) Demodectic Mange, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Patellar Luxation , Primary Lens Luxation and von Willebrand's Disease. Food allergies and sensitivity to inoculations can occur. Reputable breeders are well aware of all health issues and genetically screen their dogs and have them veterinary examined or x-rayed clear of known anomalies. Since CHG is a simple recessive, it is imperative that carriers are still used judiciously (carrier to noncarrier) in breeding programs so as not to diminish the gene pool of the breed. Exclusion of carriers that are otherwise healthy and exemplary representatives of the breed is NOT in the best interest of the breed at this time. The Toy Fox Terriers life expectancy is similar to other toy breeds of dog (14 - 16 years), and have been known to very occassionally live to 17+ years of age.

Some Toy Fox Terrier breeders can trace their dogs’ lineage back to a Smooth Fox Terrier called "Foiler", the first fox terrier registered by the Kennel Club in Britain, circa 1875-76^{[citation needed]}. Small puppies from Smooth Fox Terrier litters were treasured for their feisty temperament and compactness and in the early 1900's breeders started to selectively breed for these prized little dogs. These smaller fox terriers were great mousers and ratters and were kept around the house and farmyard for just that purpose. Addition of the Chihuahua allowed stabilization of size, brought in the Chihuahua's unique interactive temperament and also instilled natural upright ears. Outcross to the Manchester Terrier corrected the domed head, low ear set and longer back from the Chihuahua , introduced a finer ear and especially cemented true terrier temperament. Throughout the TFT's development, breeders were successful in maintaining the qualities they admired in the Smooth Fox Terrier, its stallion-like structure, short back, tight feet, predominantly white body, elegant head and high tail-set while striving to develop a type that consistently produced TFT's within the 9 to 11 inch height preferred, with a solid coloured head. The TFT's temperament became a melding of all three breeds, the unique ability of the Chihuahua to understand and interact with its owner, the Manchester Terrier’s keen gameness and the Smooth Fox Terrier’s lively, active personality.

Toy Fox Terriers were recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1936 and placed in the Terrier Group; by the American Kennel Club (AKC) January 1st 2003 and placed in the (Toy Group) and by Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) March 1st 2006 and placed in the Toy Group.

• Smooth Fox Terrier, for additional details on history, genetics, coat color, etc.
• Rare breeds

• Davidson, John F., The Toy Fox Terrier - Wired for Action (a 2006 revision of The Toy Fox Terrier)
• Hopkins, Eliza and Flamholtz, Cathy The Toy Fox Terrier
• Bielsky-Braham, Tanya, Send in the Clowns. AKC Gazette, December, 2002

Wikimedia Commons has media related to American Toy Terrier.

• Toy Fox Terrier at Curlie