Smooth Fox Terrier
About the Smooth Fox Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 14-16" |
| Weight | 15-18 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Smooth Fox Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- First-Time Owners
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Smooth Fox Terrier
The story behind the Smooth Fox Terrier
English foxhunting in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries required small terriers that could be carried or run with hounds and then bolt a fox from its earth, and regional working terriers were gradually shaped toward that role. Smooth and wire-coated dogs were originally regarded as one breed with two coats, and both drew on various English terrier stocks, with the smooth generally understood to include smooth-coated black and tan terrier and beagle-type influences. Fox terriers became fixtures of Victorian dog shows and among the earliest breeds with established clubs and studbooks in Britain, and they were exported widely. Kennel authorities in Britain and the United States eventually separated the smooth and wire varieties into distinct breeds during the twentieth century. Working use has largely faded, and today the Smooth is kept mainly as a companion, show and sporting dog, in modest numbers.
Originally bred for: Fox bolting terrier, earth dog, vermin hunter. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Smooth Fox Terrier
Portion tightly. A quality complete food for a busy small dog, weighed rather than scooped, keeps this wiry frame hard. Terriers pile on weight the moment exercise slips, so let some of each day's allowance double as training currency.
Watch for: No intolerance belongs to the breed. Predominantly white terriers that scratch are sometimes worked up for allergies of various origins, but that is a clinical process. Owners should seek professional direction rather than designing trial diets alone.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Smooth Fox Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.