The toy fox terrier is a petite terrier, an amusing mix of charisma and sturdiness that belies its size. Indeed, this dog was bred to work on farms and used as a tracker in small game hunts. But all owners would attest that this dog is a funny, loving, loyal, and devoted addition to any family.
Additionally, the toy fox terrier is agile, graceful, athletic, and shows great stamina. Take note that this dog has all the energy of the terrier, with the potential to use this boundless energy to bark, dig, and investigate.
The toy fox terrier needs plenty of exercise and loves dog sports like rally and flyball. Since the breed is intelligent and learns fast, these dogs are easily bored and can be particularly stubborn.
Evolution and Origins
The toy fox terrier, often shortened to TFT and also known as the American Toy Terrier and Amertoy, is one of the few dog breeds wholly originating in the U.S. In the early 1900s, breeders crossed the smallest smooth fox terriers with a variety of toy breeds, including the Italian greyhound, miniature pinscher, Chihuahua, and Manchester terriers, to create a smaller terrier mix with a less fierce temperament.
These toy fox terriers were originally used as ratters on farms and to hunt small game. Due to their small size, agility, and intelligence, these dogs became popular in traveling circuses doing acrobatics, walking tightropes, and performing various tricks. The same traits mean they are excellent competitors in obedience and agility trials, rally, and flyball today.
In 1936, toy fox terriers were recognized in the Terrier Group by the United Kennel Club. It took until 2003 for them to be recognized by the American Kennel Club in the Toy Group.
Miniature pinschers are one of the breeds crossed with the smooth fox terrier to develop the toy fox terrier.
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3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Toy Fox Terrier
The toy fox terrier can come in a mix of brown and tan colors. This dog is fearless, playful, and pretty darn silly. Puppies can also have that stubborn terrier temperament. For the record, here are some other pros and cons of the toy fox.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lovable, loyal, playful, entertaining The toy fox terrier loves attention and to please — despite that stubborn streak — and will put a lot of effort into it. This dog is not hard to please. Give this breed the room it needs to play. Or better yet, play or snuggle with the pup. | Retains less-beloved terrier characteristics This dog will dig up your garden, claw, and chew at shoes and children’s toys. It has a strong prey drive, which means it goes running after all kinds of animals. |
| Minimum grooming required This is a great breed if you don’t want to put in the work required of a hairier or bigger canine. With its tight coat of hair, you won’t have to worry about shedding. That makes this dog an excellent hypoallergenic pet choice. | Noisy barker This is a vocal pooch. To the point of distraction. To avoid this, put in the work. Your dog needs to learn serious social skills. Lucky for you, this is a smart dog, and as long as training’s done right, it shouldn’t be hard. |
| Easy to train and housebreak The toy fox terrier is an intelligent breed. While it’s not impossible to train an adult, it’s better if you get the dog trained as early as possible. The older dog will be set in its ways. | Not necessarily a lap-dog Despite its diminutive size, the toy fox doggy is one physical pup that needs plenty of exercise and enrichment. It’s a snuggler and has no problem sitting in a purse or bag, but is just as likely to go running off in search of adventure. |
The toy fox terrier loves attention and is loyal and eager to please.
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Size and Weight
The toy fox is a tiny little thing, but tends to be fairly muscular and sturdy. Both male and female Toy Fox Terriers typically stand 8.5 to 11.5 inches tall and weigh between 4 and 9 pounds, according to major kennel club standards.
Common Health Issues
In general, the toy fox terrier is in pretty good health. Any disease the dogs are prone to is more something an owner should be aware of as opposed to being worried about.
Therefore, if you buy a puppy, see if your breeder can produce health clearances for the parents. These papers are evidence that the puppy is cleared of a particular condition. Careful breeders screen for genetic and breed-only diseases.
Here are common diseases that are genetic to the toy fox terrier lineage:
- Demodectic Mange
- Patellar Luxation
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- Von Willebrand Disease
- Congenital Hypothyroidism with Goiter.
If you buy a puppy, see if your breeder can produce health clearances for the parents.
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Temperament
At heart, the toy fox terrier is curious and capable of spending hours exploring outdoor spaces, your cabinets, and tiny hidey-holes you didn’t even know existed. This dog loves people, games, and playing with toys. The breed is an excellent companion for older children, but beware, the toy fox doesn’t tolerate mishandling.
This terrier is energetic and likes to show off and will play for hours, take a rest snuggling in your lap, and rush off for the next adventure. Unlikely to warm to strangers right away, the puppies make for an exceptional family or one-person pet. Alert and inquisitive, this breed holds onto a young spirit throughout its lifespan.
This is a happy dog that promises to bring great joy to the home. But it has strong pack instincts. Human behavior will influence it. So, you have to establish your role as a leader with confident, firm, and consistent behavior. Include all family members in behavior modification.
Toy fox terriers have strong pack instincts, so you have to firmly establish your role as a leader.
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How to Take Care of a Toy Fox Terrier
Get ready to accommodate your toy fox terrier’s huge personality. It will be a challenge from time to time. While this pooch is a great watchdog and loyal to an almost fiery intensity, avoid encouraging his protective nature, as it can turn into guarded behavior and trust issues.
Make sure this dog gets tons of exercise, as it’s a lot more energetic than its size indicates. Take your toy fox terrier out for walks or with you on jogs, as this dog is an agile competitor and will give you a run for your money on hikes.
If you plan to have another animal, learn how to introduce new pets to your dog. Toy fox terriers love to chase smaller creatures, though are not afraid of bigger ones. You’ll need firm recall commands or to keep them leashed to control temptation.
Make sure your toy fox terrier gets tons of exercise, as it’s a lot more energetic than its size indicates.
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The Best Dog Food
The diet should be appropriate for a dog’s age. There are diets for puppies, adults, and seniors. Food can be high-quality, commercially manufactured dog food or a vet-approved home meal. There is human food that’s safe for your toy fox, but let your vet advise you.
Treats will be an important training aid, but avoid relying on them. And make sure your dog always has access to fresh, clean water.
Maintenance and Grooming
The dog’s coat will be fine, short, and smooth. It is mostly white with highlights that can be brown, black, tan, or chocolate. Brush him carefully to remove dead hair. The dog is pretty much hypoallergenic and non-shedding, but brushing is good for keeping his coat healthy and clean.
Trim your toy fox terrier’s nails two times a month. Long nails are a risk to dogs and can lead to physical pain. If they click, the nails are too long. Remember, you’re trimming, not cutting. You can cause bleeding as dogs’ nails have blood vessels.
Check ears regularly for odors or redness. This indicates an infection. If you see these signs, wipe your dog’s ears with cotton balls dampened in pH-balanced ear cleaner. Never insert anything into the ear. Clean the outer area.
Get puppies used to having you examine and brush their teeth. As you groom, keep an eye out for rashes, sores, and other inflammatory conditions. Along with regular visits to the vet, keep your eye out for possible health issues.
To keep a toy fox terrier healthy, check your dog’s ears regularly for odors or redness.
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Training
Early training and socialization for puppies help ensure your toy fox terrier ends up a well-mannered canine. This dog is highly intelligent and ready to learn under the proper conditions. Potty training can involve potty pads or simply sending the dog outside.
Toy fox terriers are adaptable, obedient, and highly intelligent. They will follow you under the proper conditions, and if you use a firm but kind hand.
Toy fox terriers are highly intelligent and ready to learn under the right conditions.
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Exercise
These dogs are natural athletes and have the energy to burn. They love to romp and run, walk, or hike. It wouldn’t be unusual to find them running laps in larger areas of the home.
Play will be important, but won’t fulfill the toy fox terrier’s need to walk. Get your dog out daily for a supervised 30-minute walk. Your pup will also appreciate a runaround in an open, safe area, like a dog park or fenced-in yard.
Toy fox terriers are natural athletes and love to romp and run.
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Puppies
You can’t undervalue the importance of locating a reputable breeder when searching for toy fox puppies. It greatly improves the chances of getting a well-socialized and healthy dog. A good place to start is the American Toy Fox Terrier Club. You can also reach out to a unique rescue like the Toy Fox Terrier Rescue.
A reputable breeder greatly improves the chances of getting a well-socialized and healthy dog.
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Toy Fox Terrier and Children
Toy fox terriers can be wonderful companions for older children. They are not recommended as playmates for younger children. A brown, tan, or chocolate toy fox has a small size and a tendency to easily break its bones. The very young can be aggressive. The combination makes for a potentially bad outcome. Plus, the dog doesn’t deal with mishandling gracefully.
A brown, tan, or chocolate toy fox has a small size and a tendency to easily break its bones.
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Dogs Similar to Toy Fox Terriers
If you have an interest in canines like the toy fox terrier, here are three other breeds you can consider.
- Fox Terrier: The fox terrier is famous for its intelligence and humor. They have tons of personality, and their grace makes them excellent show dogs.
- Rat Terrier: Rat terriers are affectionate and loyal members of the family. They’re bred as working dogs and are good choices for active families with large, fenced-in areas to burn energy.
- Chihuahua: The tiny chihuahua is bold to the point of brazen. Highlights of its unique appearance include its large ears and big eyes.
The chihuahua is a bold breed that is similar to the toy fox terrier.
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Toy Fox Terrier Pictures
View all of our Toy Fox Terrier pictures in the gallery.
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Sources
- Dog Time / Accessed March 30, 2021
- American Kennel Club / Accessed March 30, 2021
- Pet Finder / Accessed March 30, 2021
- Vetstreet / Accessed March 30, 2021
- The Spruce Pets / Accessed March 30, 2021
- Animal Planet / Accessed March 30, 2021
- Small Dog Place / Accessed March 30, 2021
- Street Directory / Accessed March 30, 2021
- Dog Breed Info / Accessed March 30, 2021
- Wag Walking / Accessed March 30, 2021
- Petland / Accessed March 30, 2021
