Smooth Fox Terrier | Dog Breed

Last updated May 29, 2024

Size

Varies

Popularity

One of the Most Popular

Typical Lifespan

About 12 years

Exercise

Smooth Fox Terriers thrive with daily vigorous walks and plenty of interactive play sessions.

Grooming Needs

Smooth Fox Terriers require minimal grooming, needing only a weekly brushing to remove loose hair and maintain their coat's shine. Regular nail trimming and occasional baths are also recommended.

Country of Origin

United Kingdom

Adaptability

The Smooth Fox Terrier is highly adaptable, thriving in both urban apartments and rural settings, as long as it receives sufficient exercise and mental stimulation.

Shedding Level

Smooth Fox Terriers shed minimally, with consistent but low-level hair loss throughout the year.

Energiness

Smooth Fox Terriers are very energetic and need plenty of physical activity to stay happy and healthy.

Vocality

The Smooth Fox Terrier is known for being quite vocal and tends to bark frequently, especially when alerting to new sights or sounds.

Trainability

Smooth Fox Terriers are intelligent and eager to learn, responding best to consistent, positive training methods.

Dietary Needs

Smooth Fox Terriers need a balanced diet rich in protein to support their active lifestyle and maintain lean muscle mass.

Weight Range

15.5-18 lbs

Child Friendliness

Varies

Social Needs

For Whom?

The Smooth Fox Terrier, an energetic and joyful dog breed, is an excellent fit for a home where everyday life is full of activities and never dull. This dog enjoys being surrounded by people and thrives in an environment where it receives a lot of attention and loving companionship. The ideal home for a Smooth Fox Terrier would be one where it can engage in a variety of activities, whether that means long nature walks, frolicking on an agility course, or simply playing actively in the backyard.

Since Smooth Fox Terriers are intelligent and quick learners, they also adapt well to active family life with children. Children and terriers can together come up with endless activities that keep both moving and satisfied. However, it's important to remember that a Smooth Fox Terrier requires consistent training and boundaries to ensure harmonious cohabitation.

Although a Smooth Fox Terrier can adapt to living in a city, it particularly enjoys the opportunity to run and explore more expansive outdoor areas. A rural environment or a home with a large yard would be ideal, but the most important thing is to ensure that the dog gets enough exercise and adventures, even in urban settings. Active city dwellers who enjoy the outdoors and are willing to take their dog on adventures can also be a good match for this energetic terrier.

Overall, a Smooth Fox Terrier needs a home where it feels loved and valued as a family member. A home that has the time and energy to invest in its training, activation, and shared adventures is exactly where a Smooth Fox Terrier can live a happy and fulfilling dog life.

Character

Energetic

Intelligent

Playful

Alert

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a lively and brave breed, brimming with energy and zest for life. Its alert gaze and determined demeanor reflect its terrier nature—this dog is born for adventure and action. The Smooth Fox Terrier's playful attitude and quick learning ability make it both an entertaining companion and a skilled working dog.

This small-sized terrier is like a fiery spark that ignites at the slightest provocation. It loves to play and move, so active outdoor moments and brain-teasing games are to its liking. The Smooth Fox Terrier is self-respecting and confident, yet it is also a loyal and loving family member. It forms a strong bond with its owners, but requires consistent and determined training.

Although the Smooth Fox Terrier is full of vigor and action drive, it also knows how to enjoy calm moments alongside its loved ones. Its heart is big, and it shows its affection to its close ones sincerely. The Smooth Fox Terrier is also brave and determined, making it a reliable companion in everyday life as well as in adventures.

The breed's intelligence and agile mind make it an excellent learner. It enjoys learning new tricks and tasks, and its enthusiasm and passion are contagious. With a Smooth Fox Terrier, there's never a dull moment, as it is always ready to take on new challenges and seek out new adventures.

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a versatile dog that is suitable for both city life and the tranquility of the countryside, as long as its needs for exercise and activity are met. It is a breed that brings life and movement to the home, and its sincere joy and eagerness spread to everyone around it. In its family, the Smooth Fox Terrier is a treasure that shares the joys of life and enriches every shared moment.

History

The Smooth Fox Terrier's story begins in England in the 19th century, where it was developed as a hunting dog tasked with flushing out foxes and other small mammals from their hiding spots. The breed's ancestors were various terriers selected for their bravery, speed, and agility. Initially known simply as "fox terrier," the breed was later distinguished into rough-coated and smooth-coated variations, with the smooth-coated ones eventually being named Smooth Fox Terriers.

By the late 19th century, the Smooth Fox Terrier was among the first breeds recognized by the English Kennel Club and was one of the first terrier breeds to have its own breed standard. Its popularity quickly grew, especially among hunting circles, due to its ability to work both on land and in water, and its excellent fox-chasing skills.

Entering the 20th century, the Smooth Fox Terrier became widely known and esteemed both in show rings and as a household pet. Its cheerful and energetic nature, along with its stylish and athletic appearance, made it a popular choice for many dog owners. Although its popularity has fluctuated over the decades, it has maintained its status as an active and lively companion, well-suited to an active lifestyle.

Today, the Smooth Fox Terrier is known as an intelligent and courageous dog, devoted to its family and always ready for play or adventure. Its hunting instincts remain strong, and it enjoys opportunities to use them, such as on agility courses or in hunting tests. The history of the Smooth Fox Terrier is a testament to how breeding for certain traits can create breeds that are not only effective working dogs but also beloved family members.