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Smooth Fox Terrier breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Smooth Fox Terrier the gentleman of the terrier world, a lively, gregarious terrier with a devil-may-care attitude, originally developed for Britain's traditional foxhunts and a close relative of the Wire Fox Terrier.
Besides coat type, the head is the distinguishing trait: a Smooth's is more V-shaped than a Wire's and the dense, flat coat is predominantly white with black, tan or black-and-tan markings.
Temperament
Smooths are bold but not aggressive toward people and make excellent watchdogs at home. Alert and on the tiptoe of expectations, they are always ready to go.
New owners should know that the breed's innate sense to dig may affect the family yard or flowerbeds unless the dog is taught otherwise.
Lifespan
Smooth Fox Terriers live 12 to 15 years. Breeders test stock for patellar luxation and cardiac disease.
Care
The short but hard, dense coat should be groomed weekly with a thick brush or hound glove and a bath about every month is enough unless the dog follows its nature and digs in the mud, in which case bathe as needed.
Like most terriers, the Smooth is lively and athletic and needs ample exercise, through long walks, a tennis ball in the backyard or playtime in a large, securely fenced area. It should never be allowed to run loose.
History
Foxhunting in its traditional form is banned in England now, but for generations it was the passion of the British gentry: dozens of hunters and horses, huge packs of hounds and tenacious fox terriers thundering across the vast estates of the very rich.
The terriers rode in saddlebags and were released when the fox went underground and after they routed the fox, the horses and hounds resumed the chase.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 3 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 5 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 5 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |