Fox Terrier is not one of the most common breeds. But those people who started this little dog with a big heart will not exchange it for anyone.
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Description of the breed and its varieties
Fox Terrier is a small proportional dog with a long neck. She has a strong physique, a flat back.
Smooth Fox Terriers are white with black and red spots. The body is square in shape, with a solid skeleton.
Wire-haired Fox Terriers - owners of dense wool with undercoat. These dogs look furry. The color is also mostly white, with spots. The breed gained popularity in the 19th century.
There is another variation: the American Toy Fox Terrier. The breed was bred in the first third of the 20th century on the basis of small individuals of smooth-haired fox terriers.
Origin history
Probably the dogs that became the progenitors of the fox terriers lived back in ancient Rome. Companions of a man of compact size, energetic and undaunted, they helped him hunt by hunting. But seriously for fixing in the breed the necessary qualities much later took the British.
The process began in the 17th century and ended in the 19th. Passionate hunter-lovers of the English tried to get a dog that could fight a cunning and powerful opponent - a fox. The small size of the new breed also had a great advantage. The dog could be transported in a duffel bag so that it would not frighten off a fox or other animal in advance with a barking bark.And strong paws helped her easily get into the hole.
Fox terriers owe their current appearance to dachshunds and beagles, as well as graderhounds, bulldogs, and terriers with smooth hair.
The work of Count Montaigne, who in the second half of the 19th century selected for breeding only gambling and tireless dogs, contributed to the formation of the character of the fox terrier. And Francis Regmant did a lot to give the final appearance to the representatives of the breed. Color “tricolor”, a clear separation of two varieties - smooth-haired and wire-haired fox-terriers - all this is the merit of Regmant.
Already in the 20th century, fox was appreciated in other European countries, especially in Germany. Dogs of this breed can hunt game birds, hares, and ungulates. You can also keep the terrier just like a pet.
Fox Terrier Character and Behavior
At the mention of the Fox Terrier breed, many readers will recall the funny Montmorency from Jerome K. Jerome's work “Three in a boat, not counting a dog”. A cute little dog that might seem like an angel actually has an indomitable disposition.
This breed is suitable only for people with a strong character who can become an authority for their pet. Fox education should not be dealt with occasionally, but constantly. We must not allow the situation that today the dog was forbidden anything, and tomorrow it was already allowed. In this case, the Fox will turn into an uncontrollable creature, and the owner will have to survive many unpleasant minutes.
To minimize the difficulties associated with raising a dog of this breed, physical activity will help. Fox just needs to throw out his energy.
Therefore, you can not take the dog into the yard for five minutes only for the departure of natural necessities. Walking should be long, the dog just needs to be given the opportunity to run. But it should be noted that you can let Fox off the leash either in deserted places, or in the company of those dogs with whom he has already established friendly relations. Fox terriers are naturally pugnacious and cocky, so the owner should be very careful about his dog.
Another feature of this breed is its relationship with other domestic animals. And the point is not that Fox is a born leader and will fight for the palm in his own pack. Just some types of living creatures terriers perceive as potential prey, and they will not succeed in convincing. It is better not to keep tame rats, hamsters and mice, as well as rabbits in the same apartment with the fox terrier. Those who breed birds should not let them fly out of the cage in the presence of a dog. The fox terrier's eyes literally turn glass and drool when he sees the "game". The instinct of a hunting dog - there's nothing to be done.
Breed standard and puppy selection
The breed standard describes the Fox Terrier as follows:
- The wedge-shaped head has a subtle transition from the forehead to the muzzle. The length of the skull and muzzle is about the same. The dog's chin is round. If we are talking about a wire-haired fox-terrier, the muzzle seems square due to the presence of a beard.
- The bite is correct, scissor-like. Lips are painted in one color, without spots.
- Eyes of medium size, dark brown, set deep.
- The ears are small, the protruding part of them is set on the cartilage, the tips fall down towards the muzzle.
- The body is strong, lean, muscular.
- The tail is most often docked, otherwise, it should be twisted by a ring.
- Weight can reach 7.7 kg in a female and 8.2 kg in a male. Growth does not exceed 40 cm.
- Paws have an average length, strong, powerful. The correct set.
- In smooth-haired fox terriers, the coat is dense and close-fitting. Wirehair has a soft undercoat.
- Color can be two-tone (white with red) or three-color (white background, red and black spots).
Before choosing a puppy, you need to decide on the purpose of its acquisition:
- Those who want to hunt with a dog should take puppies from working representatives of the breed.
- Those who are going to carry a dog to the exhibition should pay attention to the exterior and purchase a puppy of "elite blood".
- Any representative of the breed is suitable as a pet, if only the pet was healthy and had a good disposition.
When buying a puppy in the market, people who will never have to see them again should understand that there is a risk of taking a purebred or sick animal.
The best option is to buy a puppy from responsible breeders who can answer all questions.
Together with the puppy you will receive:
- Veterinary passport with vaccination marks.
- Puppy metric.
- Chip certificate (if there is a chip).
If it is possible to choose from several litters, it is better to stay on a puppy from a small brood - as a rule, such individuals are stronger and stronger.
Breeders can talk about the nature of the puppies. But there are special techniques that help to stop the choice on a particular animal. For example, next to the puppies drop a bunch of keys. The timid run back to the side. A bolder puppy is the first to come and see what has fallen.
Features of keeping a dog
It is possible to keep fox terriers both in the apartment, and in the yard, in the booth. The exception is the smooth-haired fox terriers, which are taken into the house during the winter months.
If the dog lives in a country house, you need to remember that the fox terrier may well dig a dig under the fence and go for a walk. Therefore, it is advisable to dig the fence into the ground.
Fox terriers need motor activity, so they will not have enough short walks on a leash. The dog should be able to "let off steam." Otherwise, the pet will not get in good physical shape, and his character will deteriorate.
Care, health and nutrition
Caring for a smooth-haired fox-terrier is easy. Once a week the dog needs to be combed with a brush and washed as it gets dirty.
For wire-haired fox terriers, a haircut replaces trimming. It is produced 3-4 times a year to remove dead hair. To prepare the dog for the show will have to use a clipper.
Check your dog’s eyes and ears regularly. If necessary, the accumulated discharge is removed with a cotton swab.
In spring and autumn, they use a special tool against ticks to treat the pet, as these blood-sucking insects are carriers of dangerous diseases.
Fox Terrier is a healthy breed of dog. But every dog owner must keep in touch with a good veterinarian. He will make the necessary vaccinations, he can be contacted in case of emergency. If the veterinarian has certain hours of reception, the owner must know the phone number of the veterinary service, which works around the clock.
As for diseases, Fox Terriers are most often threatened by:
- Diabetes.
- Violation of the blood supply to the femoral joint (Perthes disease).
- Deafness.
- Epilepsy.
- Obesity.
- Myasthenia gravis
In addition, appropriate measures must be taken (vaccinated) against infectious diseases that threaten dogs of all breeds, without exception.
Fox terriers have a good appetite, but they should not be overfed to avoid obesity.
You can feed pets with both dry and natural food. Dry feed should use a super-premium class.
Natural foods should include:
- Meat (beef or lamb).
- Cottage cheese.
- Boneless fish.
- The eggs.
- Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, cabbage).
- Groats (buckwheat, oatmeal, rice, millet).
An adult dog is fed 2 times a day. Puppies begin to feed by the end of the first month. After switching to an independent diet, babies are fed 5-6 times a day. Milk porridge, small pieces of raw or cooked meat, egg yolk - this is the first food.
After feeding, the bowl is removed, and the dog should always have free water.
Raising and training a fox terrier
Fox terriers are quite stubborn and have a strong independent disposition.All the more important to instill in them the basics of education.
At home, even the cutest puppy in the world cannot be allowed to break the routine. For example, if the dog is supposed to sleep on the bedding, you should not take a squeaking lump to bed even for one night.
Bad habits form very quickly, and weaning a pet from them is unusually difficult.
- Do not treat the puppy with treats from the table, don’t give up old shoes to be torn to pieces (on occasion, the puppy, without hesitation, will chew on the new one), do not allow paws to jump on the owner - all this should become an axiom.
- During walks, after the puppy runs to the limit, he will be taught the commands “to me”, “sit”, “lie”, “next to”, etc. A very important skill for a dog is to walk on a leash without jerking. In general, it is advisable to take a training course under the guidance of an experienced mentor.
- Dogs that are planned to be transported to exhibitions are gradually being accustomed to the touch of others' hands. The fox terrier should calmly perceive the situation when he is stroked on the head and back, slightly pulled by the tail, examined the teeth.
Pros and cons of the breed
The breed has its advantages and disadvantages. Before deciding to have a fox terrier, you need to get to know them.
Advantages:
- Dogs are very energetic.
- Fox terriers are great for active people, they can become tireless companions for them.
- The coat of dogs of this breed does not require special care.
- Foxes are reliable helpers on the hunt, funny pets and incorruptible bodyguards.
Disadvantages:
- Representatives of this breed bark a lot and loudly.
- Fox Terrier dogs may not be too friendly with other pets.
- On the street, they often show aggression towards other dogs and cats.
- Fox terriers require physical activity from the owner, the role of the “sofa dog” is not for them.
In general, Fox is a fun pet, next to which it is impossible to be sad.
How much is the fox terrier
The price of Fox Terrier puppies depends on whether it will be a working dog, a pet or a potential show champion.
Show class puppies cost 35,000 - 40,000 rubles. A puppy from working parents can be purchased for 15,000 - 17,000 rubles. A fox terrier without documents will be given for 5,000 - 6,000 rubles.
It is only necessary to remember that dogs of this breed with great difficulty tolerate a change of owner. So, before you bring home a new little friend, ask yourself the question: are you ready for him to go through your life for 13-14 years, that is, his entire canine age.
