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Toy Fox Terrier Breed Summary
High-Spirited, Playful, Intelligent, Adaptable and Affectionate
These small doggies have been around for nearly 100 years. They were originally known as 'little farm dogs', and would hunt and kill rats and other small vermin from the inside of granaries and barns. It's thought that they were developed by crossing smaller sized Smooth Fox Terriers with several varieties of Toy breeds, this may include Chihuahuas and Manchester Terriers. However, the Chihuahuas and Manchester Terriers had traits that didn't fit with what breeders were trying to achieve and so after initial crosses to set a new size, later breedings only involved the smaller Smooth Fox Terriers in development of the Toy Fox Terrier. The breed gained recognition in 2003 and is a fairly popular choice over many parts of the world!
| Lifespan | 13 – 14 years |
| Height (at the withers) | Male and Female 20cm – 67cm |
| Weight | Male and Female 1.5kg – 3kg |
| Coat | Short, fine and smooth |
| Colour | Black, Brown or White |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Common health issues | Hip Dysplasia, Polyradiculoneuritis |
| Other Names | American Toy Terrier, Amertoy, TFT |
These doggies are the perfect blend of Terrier and Toy, combining the high-spirit and hunting abilities of Terriers with the affectionate and lap-warming characteristics of Toy dogs. These guys love to play and will fetch almost anything that you throw. Additionally, they absolutely adore 'hoomans' and chilling with you on the sofa is their idea of a good day! They are a highly adaptable doggy and will fit to the energy level of the family, whether you be couch potatoes or extreme sports lovers! They suit families with older children who will show respect towards a new doggy addition to the family. Additionally, many get on well with cats as well as other dogs and their intelligence means that they are relatively easy to train. Overall, they make lovely pets for nearly every family type!
The Toy Fox Terrier was developed in the United States in the 1900s by breeding the Smooth Fox Terrier and several smaller breeds, which may have included the Toy Manchester Terrier, Miniature Pinscher and the Chihuahua. The idea of the Toy Fox Terrier came to those involved in breeding after Smooth Fox Terrier litters had runts born in the group. The Smooth Fox Terrier had been brought over to the United States from the UK in the 1870s. The Smooth Fox Terrier was first registered in the United Kingdom in 1875.The main purpose of the Toy Fox Terrier when first developed in the 1900s was to get rid of vermin. Because of their small size and agility, they were also often seen performing in traveling three-ring circuses. The Toy Fox Terrier is a toy breed which retained the Terrier hunting instincts and courage of the descendants from earlier days.