# Smooth Fox Terrier

Also known as: Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- **Group:** Terrier (FCI group 3)
- **Size:** Small
- **Origin:** United Kingdom
- **Height:** 36–39 cm
- **Weight:** 6.8–8 kg
- **Life expectancy:** 12–15 years
- **Temperament:** Energetic, Fearless, Friendly, Alert, Playful
- **FCI standard:** No. 12

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a lively, mainly white English terrier bred to bolt foxes. It is one of the oldest and most influential terrier breeds, and it needs plenty of activity and an experienced owner.

## Overview

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a bright, athletic terrier that was bred to accompany foxhounds and drive foxes from their earths. It was the first of the fox terrier family to gain official Kennel Club recognition in the 1870s.

Outside hunting and show circles it is not hugely popular today, but its influence on other terriers is large. It is spirited, clever and demands an active home.

## History

Its development is poorly documented, but it has been known as a distinct breed in England since at least the 18th century. A portrait from 1790 of a dog called Pitch is the earliest documented evidence.

It was one of the earliest breeds to appear in dog shows. The Smooth and Wire were long seen as varieties of one breed, but experts now think the Smooth descends mainly from the Smooth Black and Tan Terrier with some Beagle and Bull Terrier. White dogs were prized in the field because they were less likely to be mistaken for the fox.

## Appearance

A small, balanced, well-muscled dog with a flat skull and a keen, alert expression. The coat is smooth, dense and hard, and predominantly white with black, tan or black and tan markings.

The small, folded ears and straight, firm tail give the breed its distinctive, neat outline.

## Temperament

Smooth Fox Terriers are energetic, bold and inquisitive, with a strong prey drive for small animals. They are usually very friendly and accept strangers when well socialised from a young age.

Without early exposure they can become noisy barkers. Their high energy and independent streak mean they are not recommended for first-time owners.

## Care and exercise

This is a busy breed that needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation, such as games, training and scent work. A securely fenced garden is important, as it will chase small animals and may dig.

The short coat is easy to care for with weekly brushing and occasional baths.

## Health

Reported conditions include deafness, luxating patellas, eye problems such as lens luxation and cataracts, Legg-Perthes disease, shoulder dislocation, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy and goitre. A hereditary form of ataxia is also known in the breed.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 5
- Exercise needs: 4
- Grooming: 1
- Shedding: 3
- Trainability: 3
- Barking: 4
- Good with children: 3
- Good with other dogs: 2

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/smooth-fox-terrier
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smooth_Fox_Terrier · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38787
Photo: Tialin at English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Patrick_the_Smooth_Fox_Terrier.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.