Smooth Fox Terrier

The Smooth Fox Terrier is the flat-coated fox terrier — bred to go to ground ahead of the hounds and bolt the fox.

History

It was standardised in nineteenth-century England from terriers kept by fox-hunting packs, and shown alongside the wire-haired variety as one breed until the two were separated in 1985. Its predominantly white coat was deliberate: a terrier that looked nothing like a fox was less likely to be mistaken for one by the hounds.

Temperament

The breed is known for being quick, bold and endlessly busy, affectionate with its people and entirely willing to pick a fight with a much larger dog.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise, a secure garden — it digs and it bolts — and training that stays interesting. The short coat needs almost nothing.

Health

Generally robust and long-lived, with patellar luxation, lens luxation and deafness among the known tendencies. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.