Fox Terrier (Smooth)

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a breed of dog, one of many terrier breeds. It was the first breed in the fox terrier family to be given official recognition by The Kennel Club (circa 1875; breed standard 1876). It is well known, and although not a widely popular breed today outside of hunting and show circles, it is extremely significant due to the large number of terriers believed descended from it.

Appearance

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a balanced, well-proportioned terrier with a distinctive head that has a tapering muzzle, fiery dark eyes, and folded v-shaped ears set well up on the head, but not prick. It is a sturdy dog in that it is well-muscled and exhibits endurance, but should not appear in any way coarse or cloddy.

A male Smooth Fox Terrier should be no taller than 15.5 inches at the shoulder, with females proportionally less, and a male in show condition should weigh approximately 18 lbs.

The tail should be set well up on the back and be straight or slightly curved, but not carried over the back or curled like an Akita's.

Its coat is hard, flat, and abundant. This breed does shed somewhat. In color they should be predominantly white some are even all white but typically with markings of black and tan, black, or tan. Red, liver, or brindle are objectionable and disqualifying faults in the show ring. Heads are usually solid colored, but a variety of white markings are permissible, including half or split faces, blazes, or color only over the eyes and/or ears.

Temperament

Smooth Fox Terriers make excellent family pets. Because this is an intelligent and active breed, they must be kept exercised, and interested, and a part of the family. They are affectionate and playful. They have well-developed hunting instincts. Left to their own devices and deprived of human companionship, undesirable behaviour may be exhibited, including chasing of small animals, barking, and digging. Like most terriers, Smooth Fox Terriers become bored, destructive, or escape artists if ignored.

History

The Smooth Fox Terrier was developed in England and is believed to descend from a mixture of the smooth-coated Black and Tan Terrier, the Greyhound, the Bull Terrier, and the Beagle.

Famous Smooth-haired Fox Terriers

• Nipper, mascot of HMV and RCA, some commericals featured him portrayed as a fox terrier, though the original one was a mixed-breed.
• Snitter, protagonist from the novel The Plague Dogs, written by Richard Adams
• Titina, travelled with Umberto Nobile on Airship Norge and Airship Italia
• Skip, from the book My Dog Skip by Willie Morris, although played by a Jack Russell Terrier in the movie of the same name

This article is licenced under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Fox Terrier (Smooth)".