fox terrier

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The Smooth Fox Terrier shows a typical perky terrier expression.

The name Fox Terrier or Foxy refers primarily to two different breeds of dog, the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier, that were independently bred in England in the mid-19th century. The two terrier breeds are very similar, with the only major difference being the coats. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a smooth, flat, but hard and dense coat, whereas the Wire Fox Terrier coat should appear broken with a dense, wiry texture.

In show circles, the terms fox terrier and foxy are only used for these two breeds, but in other communities around the world, particularly rural and farming areas, these words are used for these breeds and also to refer to mixed-breed dogs or working terriers of fox terrier type, or to descendent breeds such as the Toy Fox Terrier and Miniature Fox Terrier, which are similar to each other.

Origin

Tricolour Wire-haired Fox Terrier.

This dog's breeds were established to assist in fox hunting. Before their development, a hunt would be ruined as soon as the fox reached its hole. The introduction of Fox Terriers into the hunting party solved the problem. If the fox "went to ground" (reached and entered its lair), the terrier would be sent in after it. This identified the major requirements for a Fox Terrier. Firstly, it had to have the stamina to run with the Foxhounds. Secondly, it had to be small enough to follow a fox down its lair. And thirdly, it had to be tough, as a cornered fox was likely to turn and try to fight off an intruder, so a foxy had to be able to stand up to it.

The term Fox Terrier was generic until the latter part of the 19th Century. It referred to a group of dogs of varying type which were bred for the hunt. These dogs were often called "foxies" regardless of type or size. The first Fox Terrier, a dog called "Foiler" or "Old Foiler", was registered by the Kennel Club circa 1875-6, and the breed began the process of standardization.

Refinement of breed types led to the assignment of new breed names to the ensuing breeds. A differentiation was made between the Fox Terrier varieties, although the two breeds were shown under the same breed standard until well into the 20th century. The process of selective breeding was duplicated in other countries as emigrants took their dogs to other parts of the world.

Development of the Fox Terrier around the world

Wire-haired Fox Terrier

In the United States, fanciers of the Jack Russell Terrier were adamant that their dog, of a type created by The Reverend Mr. John Russell, “The Sporting Parson”, was as much of a fox terrier as the smooth or wirehaired varieties. They referred to those breeds as the Modern Fox Terriers. Some Jack Russell owners preferred that their breed clubs remain unaffiliated, to preserve the working qualities of their fox terrier.

The Toy Fox Terrier was developed by selected breeding from smaller Fox Terriers. The breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1936 and generated little controversy.

Every Fox Terrier is know for their quiet behavior and their excellent attitude.

Smooth and Wirehair Fox Terriers are often referred to as Standard Fox Terriers in Australia in an attempt to minimize confusion.

Today, there are many and varied breeds that are descended from or related to earlier fox terrier types. These include the

• Brazilian Terrier
• Japanese Terrier
• Miniature Fox Terrier
• Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz
• Rat Terrier
• Tenterfield Terrier
• Chilean Fox Terrier
• Toy Fox Terrier

The Smooth and Wirehair Fox Terriers are seldom used for hunting these days and are more often pets. Their small size makes them appealing.

Basil is a hand stripped British wire haired fox terrier

Coloring

Wire Fox Terrier puppies

Genetically, both Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers have base colors of tan or black and tan. The white coloring derives from a "spotting gene", which acts to restrict the formation of color to a greater or lesser degree. This is not related to albinism in any way. The alleles in the series that are believed present in Fox Terriers are sp for "piebald" markings (random spots, saddles, or even blankets of color, with the head solid color or exhibiting some white in blaze or half face) and sw, extreme white, which restricts color to virtually none or eye and ear patches. Pigment of the nose, lips, pads, and so on remain black in all cases. Eye rims are always black where there is color surrounding, but eyes surrounded by white may get rim pigment gradually or sometimes not at all.

Temperament

Fox Terriers are 'jumpy' dogs - they enjoy jumping onto surfaces and into people's arms. They enjoy being hugged and carried, whether this is considered to be healthy for them or not. They can also be quite dozy, possibly due to short-sightedness, as they do not always follow balls well. They are tenacious but generally gentle animals who bark simply for attention. Fox Terriers tend to get along well with other animals, including cats and dogs.

Maintenance

Fox Terriers need to have their nails clipped regularly, whether exercised or not. Their hair needs stripping or trimming on a frequent basis to keep well maintained.

In popular culture

• Montmorency from Three Men In A Boat was a fox terrier.
• Nick and Nora Charles's Asta
• Tintin's Snowy
• Nipper -RCA's "His Master's Voice" (disputed)
• Snitter in Richard Adams novel The Plague Dogs is a fox terrier.
• Bob in Agatha Christie's novel Dumb Witness was a fox terrier

See also

For details about each breed:

• Fox Terrier (Smooth)
• Fox Terrier (Wire)
• Toy Fox Terrier
• Miniature Fox Terrier
• Chilean Fox Terrier

References

• The Fox Terriers. AKC Featured Breed article. Refer to archives.
• Little, Clarence. Inheritance of Coat Color in Dogs. 
• Willis, Malcolm. Genetics of the Dog.  Has a good section on color inheritance.www.foxingdanekennel.dk

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Fox Terrier

• Article by Norma Bennet Woolf: The Fox Terriers
• The fox terrier club UK
• Fox Terrier Photographs