Smooth Fox Terrier

Smooth Fox Terriers live 12 to 15 years and are a generally healthy breed. Patellar luxation, lens luxation, and certain hereditary conditions including Myasthenia Gravis occur in the breed. Deafness has been documented as well. Source from health tested breeders and schedule annual vet visits. Overall this is a hardy, long lived terrier when bred responsibly.

Your Smooth Fox Terrier has a short, dense coat that needs only a weekly brush with a rubber mitt. Shedding is moderate year round. Bathe monthly or when needed. Check ears weekly, trim nails every three to four weeks, and brush teeth regularly. This is one of the lowest maintenance coats of any terrier breed.

Your Smooth Fox Terrier needs 45 to 60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. Walks, fetch, and agility games match their high energy and quick reflexes. Secure fencing is essential since they are fast, dig efficiently, and have a strong prey drive. Without enough outlet, their energy turns into destructive and noisy behavior fast.

Smooth Fox Terriers are intelligent but strong willed. Use positive reinforcement with food and play rewards. Keep sessions short and varied since they lose interest with repetition. Start socialization from day one since they can be reactive toward other dogs. Consistent boundaries from a confident owner produce a sharp, obedient companion.

Feed a quality small breed formula twice daily with measured portions. Smooth Fox Terriers stay naturally lean when properly exercised. Keep treats minimal and use them primarily as training rewards. Two meals per day works better than free feeding. Monitor body condition monthly.

The Smooth Fox Terrier developed in England in the 18th century to flush foxes from their dens during mounted fox hunts. Hunters needed a dog small enough to go to ground and fast enough to keep up with horses. The Smooth Fox Terrier was one of the first terrier breeds formally recognized by the Kennel Club in 1876. The breed was enormously popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Wire Fox Terriers were later recognized as a separate breed, though both share the same fox hunting origins.