The Toy Fox Terrier

The Toy Fox Terrier

The Toy Fox Terrier is often regarded as the smaller version of the Smooth Fox Terrier and that is why many people prefer to go in for the Toy Fox Terrier than its predecessor. The Toy Fox Terrier is a lively, affectionate, playful, protective, determined and devoted companion and known for its fierce devotion to the family.

Not only are they active and energetic, but they won’t mind trading in some exercise to sit on your lap and watch television or play about with you on a warm sunny day. A daily walk and an occasional run are all they need. Do remember to keep them on a leash though, since the terrier is known for their disposition towards animals – big and small. One of the things that set the Toy Fox Terrier apart from the rest of the dogs in his family is the missing yippy bark.

Toy Fox Terrier – Personality

Along with being a people’s dog, the Toy Fox Terrier is an outstanding watchdog. Like other terriers, he isn’t intimated easily and once he senses any danger to his family, he won’t rest until the threat is eliminated. Toy Fox Terriers learn well with reward-based training using treats or favorite toys. Their eager to please nature makes it easy to modify their behavior. Having said that, avoid any rough handling! The Toy Fox Terriers make for excellent service dogs for people with hearing disabilities; they can be trained to recognize and respond to certain sounds.

Toy Fox Terriers dislike winter, so keep them warm when winter comes. They are also known to be impatient around young children but they adapt to older children really well. Toy Fox Terriers were excellent hunters in the olden days and this habit of theirs has continued over the ages, which means that they’ll keep your house vermin free!

In a nutshell, the TFTs are a one-person, one-family dog with a lot of energy and excellent watchdog skills.

Appearance

The Toy Fox Terrier has a muscular and athletic build with a very smooth coat. The coat is predominantly white and glossy and the tail is very short and high-set. The eyes are clear and bright, giving them the suitable expression for their intelligence. The ears are a pointed, inverted V-shape and the TFT has an overall elegant and balanced look, despite his size.

• Major concerns: none
• Minor concerns: patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes, demodicosis, congenital hypothyroidism with goiter
• Occasionally seen: eye disease
• Suggested tests: knee, thyroid, vWD, DNA for congenital hypothyroidism none
• Average lifespan: 13-14 years
• Grooming: The Toy Fox Terrier is known to shed all over the house. In order to keep the shedding in control, groom them every alternate day.

History

The Toy Fox Terrier, also known as the American Toy Terrier or the Amertoy or the TFT were bred in America in the 1030’s when breeders were looking for a smaller version of the Smooth Fox Terrier. The Amertoy back then was a result of cross breeding between Fox Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Miniature Pinschers, Italian Greyhounds, and Chihuahuas.

The TFTs was recognized by the AKC in 193 but was registered under the Smooth Fox breed. It was only in the year 2000 when they were placed under the Toy breed and named the Toy Fox Terriers.

The Toy Fox Terrier is easier for many people to live with, without sacrificing the traits that drew them to the Fox Terrier family in the first place. They remained one of the most popular non-AKC companion breeds in the country until 2003 when they entered the AKC show ring for the first time.

The Toy Fox Terriers’ AKC popularity was ranked 88th out of 157 breeds in 2007.