Toy Fox Terrier

Overview of Toy Fox Terriers

The Toy Fox Terrier is truly a Toy and a Terrier, and both have influenced his personality and character.   As a Terrier, the Toy Fox Terrier possesses keen intelligence, courage and animation.  As a Toy, he is diminutive and devoted, with an endless abiding love for his master.  Do not let his size fool you, the Toy Fox Terrier is a big dog in a little package.

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.[1]As a terrier breed, they are often active, though perhaps not as active as the Jack Russell Terrier, and are said to be well suited for older owners.

Toy Fox Terriers were developed by crossing small Smooth Fox Terriers
(most likely the runts of the litter) with Chihuahua and Manchester
Terriers.  Other breeds that may have
been used included the Miniature Pincher and the Italian Greyhound. 

The toy fox terrier is listed as a breed susceptible to degenerative myelopathy because of its close relatedness to the wire fox terrier, which is known to develop this disease due to Mutation of the SOD1 gene.

The Toy Fox Terrier is a toy dog, so it’sn’t going to eat much, but that also means that every little bit will have a much larger impact on your pet’s digestive tract as well as its health.

Toy Fox Terriers are more likely than other canines to be born with spinal deformities (a condition called hemivertebrae), which may lead to spinal cord damage, instability, or disability.

Toy Fox Terrier temperament, personality, training, behavior, pros and cons, advice, and information, by Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books

Toy Fox Terriers were recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1936 and placed in the Terrier Group, and by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2003 (Toy Group).[5]

The Toy Fox Terrier is easy to groom, although grooming is generally seen as unneeded due to how short the hairs are (under a centimeter in length most of the time).

Toy Fox Terrier Ratings: Ease of Training: 7 /10 Intelligence: 7 /10 Shedding: 5 /10 Watchdog: 10 /10 Guard Dog: 4 /10 Popularity: 5 /10 Size: 1 /10

Barking

Alone Time Even if you could close the door between you and those big, searching eyes, you aren’t going to want to leave your TFT alone for long.Save your furniture by crate training them and leaving them with a puzzle toy to enjoy while you’re out.Toy Fox Terriers don’t like spending time alone, and they develop nuisance habits, such as digging, chewing, and barking, to cope with their solitude.With patient training, you can leave your TFT alone to run a few errands.

Breed

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.[4]It is believed that careful breeding from smaller Smooth Fox Terriers without crosses to other toy breeds such as Manchester Terrier and Chihuahua resulted in the Toy Fox Terrier of today.

Cancer

All suspicious lumps should be tested and any questionable lump should be surgically removed as soon as possible.Many cancers are cured by surgically removing them, so early detection and removal is critical.Mast cell tumors are a particularly nasty type of skin cancer found more often in Toy Fox Terriers, and the sooner they are surgically removed the better.Trouble is, they often look just like other kinds of skin lumps and lesions, some of which are harmful, and others not.

Coat

 Lightly card the coat to help accelerate shedding. Once you have selected the best products for your TFT, it is bath time!Before bathing your Toy Fox Terrier, it is recommended to go over the dog’s entire body with a high velocity dryer in order loosen any dirt and dander from the skin and remove any excess loose coat.

Energy

These dogs tend to be in tune with their trainer and will often pick up on their feelings.They relish the opportunity to learn new things and are always keen to show off what they have been working on.Wickedly smart and full of energy, the Toy Fox Terrier has a huge potential to learn and can be highly trained by even an amateur.

Genetic Predispositions

At the end of the booklet, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your American Toy looking and feeling her best.This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Toy Fox Terriers.This information helps you and us together plan for your pet’s unique medical needs.You will know what to watch for, and we will all feel better knowing that we’re taking the best possible care of your pal.

Grooming

 Selecting the correct products to match your pet’s skin and coat is essential to achieve optimal results. This courageous and intelligent little dog can be bathed as frequently as every week up to no more than every six weeks depending on his lifestyle. With this smooth coated breed, regular bathing is essential to maintain healthy skin and coat.The Toy Fox Terrier does require regular bathing and grooming.

Health

Our goal is to provide the best health care possible: health care that’s based on her breed, lifestyle, and age.Please contact us when you have questions or concerns.Your Toy Fox Terrier counts on you to take good care of her, and we look forward to working with you to ensure that she lives a long and healthy life.

Infections

Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination, which we will recommend based on the diseases we see in our area, herage, and other factors.Toy Fox Terriers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections—the same ones that all dogs can get—such as parvo, rabies, and distemper.

Obesity

Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk.It is a serious disease that may causeor worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain and heart disease.Obesity can be a significant health problem in Toy Fox Terriers.She’ll feel better, and so will you!Though it’s tempting to give your pal food when she looks at you with those soulful eyes, you can “love her to death” with leftover people food and doggie treats.

Personality

Also, Terriers are not known for being patient with children.Families with very young children should not acquire Toy Fox Terriers, but they can do very well with older children.In addition, they are not a good choice for families that keep rodents as pets.Proper socialization and training will greatly improve the chances that Toy Fox Terriers will get along with their fellow canines.Therefore, proper precautions should be taken when introducing them to felines.They are small dogs that are not built to withstand much roughhousing.Toy Fox Terriers are not a great choice for families with small children.Toy Fox Terriers can get along well with cats if they are socialized with them from an early age, but they may look at them as prey.Toy Fox Terriers can get along well with other canines, but they may have a feisty personality that could make them less than ideal for multi-dog families.

Social

Early training and socialization for puppies help ensure your Toy Fox terrier ends up a well-mannered canine.He is highly intelligent and ready to learn under the proper conditions.Potty training can involve potty pads or simply sending him outside.

Temperament

It gets along well with its people and is very attached to its family members.It likes to spend time with its people and thrives to be a part of the family activity.The temperament of the Toy Fox Terrier is friendly, alert, and intelligent.

Training

With their combination of intelligence, energy, and athleticism, Toy Fox Terriers are excellent candidates for advanced obedience, dog sports, and agility training.

Are They Hypoallergenic?

Toy Fox Terriers are not a hypoallergenic dog breed.Which means they’re not the most ideal choice for allergy sufferers.

Daily Exercise Requirements ??

Since the Toy Fox Terrier is so small, it will likely get the bulk of its required activity accomplished by following you and any other family members around the house all day.If you have stairs, they get even more exercise because they will run up and down the stairs dozens of times each day.However, they do enjoy games of fetch and going for short walks.They are naturally curious and enjoy being outdoors to explore.

Do Toy Fox Terriers shed or cause allergies?

TFT’s do shed an average amount due to their short, smooth coat.Due to their small size, there is less hair than larger breeds with the same type of coat.However, before bringing an TFT into your home if you suffer from allergies, you should spend some time around the breed to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction.

Are Toy Fox Terriers good with children?

While a sturdy little dog, TFT’s cannot tolerate excessive rough handling. This fact makes them not suitable for all children.

Does Size Matter?

Weight, not height, determines purpose, portability, and agility in the TFT.

How is the Toy Fox Terrier with children and other animals?

In general this is not the best dog to have around children, especially not young ones.It is best in homes with adults only, retirees, and such.The problem is mostly its size.When you are that small it is so easy for toddlers to cause some serious damage without meaning to.TFTs are wary around toddlers because of their sudden noises and movements.Toddlers also do not know how to hold back when touching them and playing with them.If it feels threatened it may snap no matter how good natured it usually is.Always teach children how to play and touch nicely what ever the size of the dog is.Early socialization is essential as would supervision be.Around small critters like mice its prey drive tends to be triggered and it will want to hunt.With socialization it can get along with other pets in the home, but ones straying through its yard will annoy it! It also tends to get itself into trouble with other dogs that are a lot larger than it.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

The Toy Fox Terrier gets along with other pets, but it’s not easily intimidating, so if another pet tries to play bully, your Toy Fox Terrier can get a bit loud as it demands respect.If you socialize your dog early, it will get along with other pets and will often play games with them.Since it won’t back down, you’ll need to worry about hostile dog encounters on your walks.It’s best to carry them away from any potential conflict long before there’s a problem.

Conclusion: Why the Toy Fox Terrier?

Life is never
boring with a Toy Fox Terrier! He has a consistently high energy level which, as is typical for smaller dogs, sticks
with him for life.

Do they require a lot of grooming?

If you are not a fan of cutting hair, then you have made the right selection of choosing a Toy Fox Terrier. This smooth, short haired, animated little dog requires minimal grooming. This breed is generally clean with few odor problems.

Q: How many puppies do Toy Fox Terriers have?

A: Average litter size for a TFT is 2
to 3 puppies.Toy breeds tend to have smaller litter sizes than larger breeds
and will sometimes have only one pup.Other things can
affect the size of a litter as well.  The
ages of the parents can make a difference, and so can the health of the mother.Mother Nature often seems to know best in terms of how many puppies a mother
can handle.

Grooming ??

The Toy Fox Terrier is extremely easy to groom and only requires a light brushing once or twice a week.Even though they shed, they don’t leave much hair around the home, and they rarely need a bath unless they get into something.You will also need to brush their teeth as often as they will allow and clip their nails when you hear them clicking on the floor.

What is a common problem in Toy Fox Terriers?

The TFT is generally a very healthy breed.Despite this, there are several health issues that are apparent in this breed.Patellar luxation (a dislocation of the kneecap), Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (a hip joint with arthritic and osteopathic changes), and von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD is a condition that makes them more likely to bleed abnormally.) are a few health concerns apparent in this breed.

Is Toy Fox Terrier Child-Friendly?

The Toy Fox Terrier is a friendly dog that gets along with children.They enjoy playing with kids that makes them a great play partner for children.However, due to their small size, they are not recommended for small kids as they might play rough and hurt it.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? ??

The Toy Fox Terrier is a fantastic family pet.Its small size allows it to adapt to any environment.It loves to play games and act the clown, so it’s a perfect companion for small children while it’s high intelligence level will help it impress adults with its tricks and its charm.

Q: Are Toy Fox Terriers hypoallergenic?

A:  No.They shed fur and dander.But because they’re
small and short-haired, they may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction
for some people.We would recommend that an allergy sufferer visit with one, if
possible, to test for a reaction.

Health and Conditions ??

Unfortunately, the Toy Fox Terrier is predisposed to several genetic ailments.We’ll take a look at the most common ones that affect the Toy Fox Terrier in this section.

Q: Are Toy Fox Terriers good family dogs?

Yes and no.The TFT can be a wonderful family dog, but he’s
not a good fit for families with small children.They’re so small that they
can’t take rough handling, and their legs break easily.Their high energy level
may also be too much for younger children.

Did You Know That There Are Food To Help Your Dogs Gain Weight?

Underweight and undernourishment is as real an issue as obesity among dogs.

How Much Do Toy Fox Terrier Puppies Cost?

You can probably find a Toy Fox Terrier for around $1500.Still, you should expect to pay anywhere from $900 to $4300 for a Toy Fox Terrier depending on several factors, including breeder quality, tests performed, and parent cost.A higher-quality breeder will help you get a higher quality dog with less risk of genetic health issues appearing as the dog ages.You can often find a Toy Fox Terrier in a local pound for far less money.

How active is the Toy Fox Terrier?

The TFT is a slightly active dog, it does not need a lot of physical activity to keep it happy and healthy so owners who are not very active themselves can consider this as a suitable dog to own.It plays indoors and some of that will go towards its needs, it loves to chase a ball which it can do indoors and out.Take it for a short walk a couple of times a day and along with some play and some mental activity opportunities it will be good.Of course it is capable of more, it is agile, does well in some doggy sports and it would appreciate some opportunities to run safely off leash.Some dog parks have separate areas for toy dogs.If there is a yard that would be great though not a requirement.Make sure it is well fenced and also make sure when walking that is had a collar and leash on or a harness.When it is cold it will need a coat to go outside.

Q: Why does my Toy Fox Terrier
shake?

A: There are a lot
of reasons why dogs shake.A dog this small (and this breed in particular) might
just be cold.The TFT does tend to shiver.You will often see them dressed in
sweaters and coats.This is not just a fashion statement – this breed is a
heat-seeker.

What will training look like?

How well training goes really does depend on the temperament of your dog and how much experience you have.It can be stubborn and rowdy which makes training more difficult, but with the right approach and experience it can go well too.Usually it is eager to please, its is intelligent and can go beyond just basic obedience training quite easily, performing tricks, taking part in shows even learning to assist disabled people.It is certainly one of the easiest terriers to train and for experienced owners things can go smoothly and even easily.Make sure you are consistent and firm, clear about the rules and expect it to always stick to them.Do not use harsh corrections, rather use praise, treats and rewards to motivate and encourage it.As adorable as it is always remember it is your dog not your baby, treat it as such and it will behave beautifully, spoil it and let it break rules and you could end up with a dog that develops small dog syndrome, becoming difficult, snappy and destructive.

Are Toy Fox Terrier Good With Kids?

Wanting to adopt a Toy Fox Terrier and need to know if a Toy Fox Terrier Dog is good with kids?

According to a highly prominent dog association, Toy Fox Terrier Dogs scores out of 5 in the scale of dog breeds that are good with babies.

Q: Can Toy Fox Terriers be left
alone?

A: Not for long.They
form such strong bonds with their owners that they don’t do well when they’re alone
for too long.They are not especially susceptible to separation
anxiety, but their active minds are prone to extreme boredom.

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Q: Are Toy Fox Terrier born with
short tails?

A: No.They are
born with full tails.To meet the Toy Fox Terrier AKC standard in America, they
are cropped at the “third or fourth joint,” which leaves about 2/5 of the tail
intact.

How Much Do Toy Fox Terriers Shed?

Toy Fox Terriers are described as intelligent, alert and friendly, and as having the tenacity of a terrier but the lovability of a toy breed.They were originally bred as barnyard ratters and small game hunters, but have also proven their skill in the circus and excel at agility competitions.

Are Toy Fox Terriers Good With Kids?

The care-free and fun personality of the Toy Fox Terrier pairs great with children; however, these children should at least be 6 years of age.These Terriers are very small dogs and can easily be injured by a rambunctious toddler.Make sure a parent is always around to supervise any interactions between a dog and child.

What if I have a show dog?

Whether you have a show dog or a companion quality dog, the same basic care is given regarding nutrition, socialization, and hygiene. The difference is the conditioning of the dog and conformation training. It is always quite helpful if your breeder can help mentor you to lead you in the right direction upon entering the wonderful world of dog shows. A great place to start is with the national breed club like the Toy Fox Terrier Club of America, www.atftc.

Q: Do Toy Fox Terriers bark a lot?

A: Yes, but not as
much as some toy breeds.Training when they’re young will help to control it.But even then, you probably can’t completely train it out of him.His
protective nature causes him to bark anytime he senses something unusual in his
environment.

Q: What is the difference between a Toy Fox Terrier and a Rat Terrier?

A: Toy Fox Terriers and Rat Terriers are often compared to each other.These breeds are really more alike than different.They’re both intelligent and social dogs that are easy to train.They both still have a strong instinct to hunt.

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Q: When is a Toy Fox Terrier full
grown?

A: Small breeds
usually reach their full size by 6 to 8 months old.They will keep filling out,
though, until they’re about a year old.

What you should never overfeed a dog?

Carbohydrates.You should never ever overfeed your dogs too much carbs as they get stored as fat in the body if they are not used.

What Makes Toy Fox Terrier Aggressive?

The Toy Fox Terrier is not an aggressive dog breed.They are a gentle and loving little dog which is protective of its family.They tend to get aggressive only when they sense some threat to their people.Otherwise, they are a gentle and kind dog breed.

Food and Diet Requirements ??

The Toy Fox Terrier is a toy dog, so it isn’t going to eat much, but that also means that every little bit will have a much larger impact on your pet’s digestive tract as well as its health.We recommend discussing with your vet if a specialized toy dog food is right for your dog.In some cases, it can help, while in others, it can cause the dog to grow too fast, creating bone problems.No matter what brand of food you choose, you want to make sure it has lean whole meat listed as its top ingredient.Examples of good meats include chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb.

How Does Toy Fox Terrier Behave Around Strangers?

The Toy Fox Terrier is welcoming and sociable with visitors at home if you have trained them properly.They can be wary of strangers but as long as you introduce them properly and socialize them, they get along with them very well.Therefore, socialization is very necessary to get them to know people around them.

Q: How big do toy terriers get?

A: According
to the AKC breed standard, the upper limit of “correct” size for the Toy Fox
Terrier is 11-1/2 inches.They state a “correct” weight as 7 pounds or less.But
these figures are averages.There are always individual dogs that will grow larger.

Q: What is the difference between a Toy Fox Terrier and a Jack Russell
Terrier?

A: This is another comparison request
we hear a lot.The two breeds actually have quite a bit in common.They’re both
friendly and outgoing.They are also funny and fun to live with.

Training ??

Training the Toy Fox Terrier is easy, and only requires a lot of positive reinforcement.This breed loves to entertain and please its master.Many times, no treats are needed if you freely give out rubs behind the ears.We found that more often than not, they will be having so much fun they will try to extend the training session well beyond what you had in mind.

History of Toy Fox Terriers

In 1912 the United Kennel Club registered the Smooth Fox Terrier at all its sizes but in the mid 1920s some people requested that the smaller version be allowed to be separated as a different breed.

In 1912, the United Kennel Club (UKC) began to register Smooth Fox Terriers of all sizes.

In 1922 brought more development to the Alaska state capital is 592 miles of!, Chowder, Chabrador lab chow mix white Labrachow, or Chow Shepherd mix, black…

In 1949 the National Toy Fox Terrier Association was founded and in the 1970s many attempts were made to have it recognized by the AKC but they were unsuccessful.

In 1994 another group of TFT fanciers tried again and finally in 2003 they were successful and AKC recognition was achieved.