The AKC has grouped all of the breeds that it registers into seven categories, or groups, roughly based on function and heritage. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage.
The Toy Fox Terrier is truly a toy and a terrier and both have influenced his personality and character. As a terrier, the Toy Fox Terrier possesses keen intelligence, courage, and animation. As a toy his is diminutive, and devoted with an endless abiding love for his master. The Toy Fox Terrier is a well-balanced Toy dog of athletic appearance displaying grace and agility in equal measure with strength and stamina. His lithe muscular body has a smooth elegant outline which conveys the impression of effortless movement and endless endurance. He is naturally well groomed, proud, animated, and alert. Characteristic traits are his elegant head, his short glossy and predominantly white coat, coupled with a predominantly solid head, and his short high-set tail.
The head is elegant, balanced and expressive with no indication of coarseness. Expression is intelligent, alert, eager and full of interest. Eyes – clear, bright and dark, including eye-rims, with the exception of chocolates whose eye-rims should be self-colored. The eyes are full, round and somewhat prominent, yet never bulging, with a soft intelligent expression. They are set well apart, not slanted, and fit well together into the sockets. Ears – The ears are erect, pointed, inverted V-shaped, set high and close together, but never touching. The size is in proportion to the head and body. Disqualification – Ears not erect on any dog over six months of age.
The neck is carried proudly erect, well set on, slightly arched, gracefully curved, clean, muscular and free from throatiness. It is proportioned to the head and body and widens gradually blending smoothly into the shoulders. The length of the neck is approximately the same as that of the head. The topline is level when standing and gaiting. The body is balanced and tapers slightly from ribs to flank. The chest is deep and muscular with well sprung ribs. Depth of chest extends to the point of elbow. The back is straight, level, and muscular. Short and strong in loin with moderate tuck-up to denote grace and elegance.
Well angulated. The shoulder is firmly set and has adequate muscle, but is not overdeveloped. The shoulders are sloping and well laid back, blending smoothly from neck to back. The forechest is well developed. The elbows are close and perpendicular to the body. The legs are parallel and straight to the pasterns which are strong and straight while remaining flexible. Feet are small and oval, pointing forward turning neither in nor out. Toes are strong, well-arched and closely knit with deep pads.
The coat is shiny, satiny, fine in texture and smooth to the touch. It is slightly longer in the ruff, uniformly covering the body.
Well angulated, strong and muscular. The upper and lower thighs are strong, well muscled and of good length. The stifles are clearly defined and well angulated. Hock joints are well let down and firm. The rear pasterns are straight. The legs are parallel from the rear and turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws should be removed from hindquarters if present.
A surefire recipe for fun: Take the lovability of a lapdog. Combine with terrier tenacity. Pour the mixture into a beautifully balanced container. Wrap in a tight-fitting satin coat. Top with large, erect ears and dark eyes that sparkle with eager intelligence. This is the Toy Fox Terrier, a lithe but sturdy little comedian standing under a foot tall but packed with enough charisma for a whole kennel of ordinary dogs. The breed’s admirers like to say, “TFTs are truly a toy and a terrier.”
The Toy Fox Terrier’s breeder will most likely recommend a brand of food that the dog should do well on. Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.
The Toy Fox Terrier requires minimal grooming. Shedding is helped by using a small shedding comb or a gentle hound glove. The breed needs only an occasional bath. The owner should start grinding or trimming the pup’s toenails at a young age if possible so that he will be accustomed to the procedure.
Quick, alert, and athletic, Toy Fox Terriers like running and romping. They enjoy walking, running, and hiking outdoors when they have the chance. On “days off” they are happy to run laps in the living room! Children especially are charmed by the unending energy and zeal for play throughout this dog’s life, but as with all toy breeds, they are not recommended for small children. Their small size makes them ideal for an apartment, although they love to explore the outdoors.
Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended for all dogs and help to ensure that the Toy Fox Terrier grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. Housebreaking can involve simply just training the puppy to go outside, or it can include training him the use of a potty pad indoors, which can be very helpful for travel or during freezing weather conditions. They are content and capable of any range of activities from hunting, to obedience, to just lounging around in the sun (or on the sofa). They are naturally extroverted and highly intelligent, which makes training, including housetraining, a breeze.
Obesity is a serious issue for Toy Fox Terriers. Healthy diet and exercise are a must. Disorders that can affect the breed include patellar luxation and eye disease. Responsible breeders will screen their stock for conditions the breed can be prone to. The dog’s anal glands must be checked often, and the teeth need to be cared for regularly.
Recommended Health Test from the National Breed Club:
The Toy Fox Terrier is truly a toy and a terrier and both have influenced his personality and character. As a terrier, the Toy Fox Terrier possesses keen intelligence, courage, and animation. As a toy his is diminutive, and devoted with an endless abiding love for his master. The Toy Fox Terrier is a well-balanced Toy dog of athletic appearance displaying grace and agility in equal measure with strength and stamina. His lithe muscular body has a smooth elegant outline which conveys the impression of effortless movement and endless endurance. He is naturally well groomed, proud, animated, and alert. Characteristic traits are his elegant head, his short glossy and predominantly white coat, coupled with a predominantly solid head, and his short high-set tail.
The head is elegant, balanced and expressive with no indication of coarseness. Expression is intelligent, alert, eager and full of interest. Eyes – clear, bright and dark, including eye-rims, with the exception of chocolates whose eye-rims should be self-colored. The eyes are full, round and somewhat prominent, yet never bulging, with a soft intelligent expression. They are set well apart, not slanted, and fit well together into the sockets. Ears – The ears are erect, pointed, inverted V-shaped, set high and close together, but never touching. The size is in proportion to the head and body. Disqualification – Ears not erect on any dog over six months of age.
The neck is carried proudly erect, well set on, slightly arched, gracefully curved, clean, muscular and free from throatiness. It is proportioned to the head and body and widens gradually blending smoothly into the shoulders. The length of the neck is approximately the same as that of the head. The topline is level when standing and gaiting. The body is balanced and tapers slightly from ribs to flank. The chest is deep and muscular with well sprung ribs. Depth of chest extends to the point of elbow. The back is straight, level, and muscular. Short and strong in loin with moderate tuck-up to denote grace and elegance.
Well angulated. The shoulder is firmly set and has adequate muscle, but is not overdeveloped. The shoulders are sloping and well laid back, blending smoothly from neck to back. The forechest is well developed. The elbows are close and perpendicular to the body. The legs are parallel and straight to the pasterns which are strong and straight while remaining flexible. Feet are small and oval, pointing forward turning neither in nor out. Toes are strong, well-arched and closely knit with deep pads.
The coat is shiny, satiny, fine in texture and smooth to the touch. It is slightly longer in the ruff, uniformly covering the body.
Well angulated, strong and muscular. The upper and lower thighs are strong, well muscled and of good length. The stifles are clearly defined and well angulated. Hock joints are well let down and firm. The rear pasterns are straight. The legs are parallel from the rear and turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws should be removed from hindquarters if present.
| Description | Standard Colors | Registration Code |
| WHITE & BLACK | Check Mark For Standard Color | 202 |
| WHITE & TAN | Check Mark For Standard Color | 217 |
| WHITE BLACK & TAN | Check Mark For Standard Color | 219 |
| WHITE, CHOCOLATE & TAN | Check Mark For Standard Color | 397 |
| WHITE & CHOCOLATE | 287 |
