The Fox Terrier or Foxy refers to two breeds of dog, the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier, that were bred independently in England in the mid-19th century. The two breeds are similar, the major difference being the coats. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a smooth, flat, but hard and dense coat, whereas the Wire Fox Terrier coat is,well...wirey

Origin
Both breed were bred to work in fox hunters, not to run with a pack of hounds to run a fox down, but to chase a fox out of its burrow. They were bred small, but fierce, needing to be prepared to enter a fox hole

Development of the Fox Terrier around the world
In the USA, Jack Russell Terrier fanciers were inistant that their dog, of a type created by The Reverend Mr. John Russell, 'The Sporting Parson', was as much of a fox terrier as the smooth or wirehaired varieties. They referred to those breeds as Modern Fox Terriers. Some Jack Russell owners preferred that their breed clubs remain unaffiliated, to preserve the working qualities of their fox terrier.

The Toy Fox Terrier was developed by selected breeding from smaller Fox Terriers. The breed was recognised by the UKC in 1936 and generated little controversy.

In Australia, a distinct type of Australian Fox Terrier was becoming recognisable during the same period in which the fox terrier breed was being standardised. The miniature version of this new dog became extremely popular. Smooth and Wirehair Fox Terriers are often referred to as Standard Fox Terriers in Australia in an attempt to minimize confusion.

Today, there are many and varied breeds that are descended from or related to earlier fox terrier types. These include the

Brazilian Terrier
Japanese Terrier
Miniature Fox Terrier
Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz
Rat Terrier
Tenterfield Terrier.

The Smooth and Wirehair Fox Terriers are seldom used for hunting these days and are more often pets, the small size but large personalities accounting for their popularity.

Health:
The Fox Terrier is a very healthy breed. Most common health disorders include Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and skin allergies but these are rare. As always, seek out a reputable breeder and check the history of their breed stock.

Other relevant pages - Fox Terrier or Foxy

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