7 things to know before owning a Smooth Fox Terrier
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a British breed initially developed for fox hunting. It is used to encourage animals to emerge from their underground dens. The origins of this breed and its development are largely unknown. It's widely believed that it was developed from a cross between various terriers, including Bull Terriers, Greyhounds, and Beagles. These dogs proved to be very skilled workers and hunters. Before taking this adorable pup home, read this article to learn everything you'll need to know about a Smooth Terrier puppy!
They have excellent hunting instincts.
The Smooth Fox Terrier has a superior sense of smell, excellent vision, and tenacious nature thanks to its natural tendency to hunt. His enthusiasm for hunting extends to everyday activities like running, playing fetch, barking, digging, and chewing.
These dogs were typically slung in a bag over the hunter's shoulder on hunting trips. These terriers trailed the pack of hounds and were brought up whenever the fox dug a hole in the ground. But over the years, they have gained many other skills aside from hunting. They were used effectively for various tasks, including retrieval, tracking, and many more.
Smooth Fox Terriers are affectionate, loyal, and protective.
The Smooth Fox Terrier makes a great pet because it is loving and protective of its human family. The Smooth Fox Terrier breed is an excellent companion on long hikes and makes fantastic guard dogs. However, it can be difficult for a Smooth Fox Terrier to perform the watchdog role without proper training. It's hard to tell if your barking Smooth Fox Terrier puppy is warning you about a burglar or not because it barks at absolutely everything.
These amiable dogs are known as one of the gentle breeds of the terrier world. They are high-spirited, social terriers with a caring attitude that is quite ironic for what they are developed for. Foxies are loving and loyal companions despite being fiercely independent and outspoken. They are active during the day but are always content to come home and curl up calmly at night.
They are highly energetic dogs.
These dogs are highly energetic and need plenty of physical and mental exercise opportunities to prevent them from becoming destructive and annoying barkers. This breed is ideal for a person who enjoys taking his dog on adventures. In addition, these dogs are perfect for kids because they love to play and never get bored or tired.
Smooth Fox Terriers, like most terriers, are athletic dogs that benefit significantly from regular playtime. Such as going for walks or jogs, playing fetch with a ball or a Frisbee in the backyard, or running around in a large, fenced-in area. You should never let your Smooth Fox Terrier off leash because it may chase after and harm any small animal it mistakes for prey.
The recommended daily vigorous exercise is 30–60 minutes if you want them to behave themselves. As puppies, Smooth Fox Terrier dogs can be so noisy, hyperactive, and destructive that exercising will not only keep them fit and healthy but also reduce the likelihood of behavioral issues like barking too much or biting.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a breeze to groom and maintain.
The Smooth Fox Terriers' short coats make them simple to maintain. Keeping their coats in good condition requires little more than a weekly brushing to remove dead hair and dirt. Unless they're extremely filthy, a bath isn't required daily. A bath once a month is sufficient, but if your dog is true to form and enjoys digging holes in the mud, you can bathe it as long as necessary.
The Smooth Fox Terrier's nails must be trimmed regularly to keep them neat and prevent them from becoming overgrown. It's vital to remove wax and debris from your dog's ears weekly. An ear infection can sometimes cause wax buildup, and to avoid plaque and tartar buildup, make sure to brush your dog's teeth daily.
All dogs, regardless of breed, need regular checkups on their coat, eyes, and ears. Even if your dog appears healthy on the outside, taking him in for a yearly checkup at the vet is still a good idea.
The Smooth Fox Terrier excels both as a pet and show dog.
Today, the Smooth Fox Terrier is more commonly associated with being a pet and a show dog than with its original purpose as a fox-hunting terrier. This dog enjoys being in the spotlight and spreads smiles and chuckles wherever he goes with his upbeat and humorous demeanor.
The breed is highly skilled as a trick dog in circuses, competing in agility and obedience arenas, serving in search and rescue, drug detection, and performing in films, TV shows, and even commercials.
The Smooth Fox Terriers are quite a healthy breed but susceptible to some issues.
As a breed, Smooth Fox Terriers tend to be relatively healthy. Epilepsy and patellar luxation are relatively harmless conditions that can affect the Smooth Fox Terrier. Occasionally dogs of this breed will inherit fatal diseases like heart problems, deafness, or cataracts. Such conditions may impair your dog's ability to see or hear clearly.
Obesity and heart disease are two leading causes of dogs' premature death. Examining pets regularly can help vets spot health problems before they become critical. Examining your dog's patella and heart annually is recommended by vets to ensure a long and healthy life.
They thrive on a well-balanced diet.
The Smooth Fox Terrier shouldn't have trouble thriving on premium dog food. It can be store-bought or homemade, but a dog's diet, whatever it may be, needs to be age, weight, and activity level - appropriate. Keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake because these canines are predisposed to being overweight.
The Fox Terrier should be allowed to enjoy treats occasionally to supplement your training. However, dog-friendly treats must be used at all times. It's essential always to have fresh water available for your dog.
The Smooth Fox Terriers are intelligent breeds that need constant stimulation.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is best known for being a friendly dog and having a sharp mind. They require homes that can maintain their high mental and physical activity levels. The Smooth Fox Terrier is a highly trainable and intelligent dog breed.
They are eager to please their owners and learn new things quickly, provided they are prepared to provide consistent and firm training. Your Foxie will develop bad habits if you don't feed him with consistent, positive training.
The Smooth Fox Terrier needs a vast space to roam around and play.
The best conditions for a Smooth Fox Terrier are a warm climate and a large yard but don't let that stop you from getting one if you live in an apartment. The Smooth Fox Terrier breed enjoys the outdoors, but their ideal living situation is contingent on their daily exercise routine.
Smooth Fox Terriers need daily walks around the block and the occasional walk through parks to stay healthy and content if you live in tight-spaced areas.
Owners should take extra precautions to prevent their Smooth Fox Terrier puppies from escaping, as they can easily find a way to climb over, dig under, or otherwise circumvent most barriers.
They still need early socialization despite being a friendly breed.
The Smooth Fox Terrier breed is generally friendly and enjoys playing with children. Although Smooth Fox Terrier pups tend to be people-oriented, they may struggle to get along with other canine companions.
Some Smooth Fox Terriers cannot help but pick fights with other dogs sharing their homes. You cannot blame them though, because it is ingrained in their DNA.
Without proper training and socialization, even dogs three times their size can be reason to fight. By starting early with socialization and training, you can help curb your dog's natural prey instinct and equip them for life on the streets.
They can be a handful and a bit naughty.
Prospective owners of the Smooth Fox Terrier should be aware that their new pet is just as active as it is mischievous. Aside from their love to dig and chew, they are also very interested in scavenging trash cans, so you might want to consider buying dog-safe cans.
The Smooth Fox Terriers are prone to suffering from separation anxiety.
Despite their high levels of energy and intelligence, Smooth Fox Terriers have a high level of anxiety. The Smooth Fox Terrier breed is particularly clingy, so don't leave them alone for extended periods.
Those who suffer from separation anxiety often show signs of distress when their human caregivers leave them alone for the first time. Anxiety can lead to destructive actions like chewing, barking, and scratching. Young Smooth Fox Terrier dogs may become hostile or bark if they see their owners leaving the house.
They are not very common as household pets.
Although Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are just as cute and entertaining as any other canine, they are not a very common household pet. The Smooth Fox Terrier is commonly seen in hunting and dog show communities. But it doesn't mean they are not excellent or as good as other common pet breeds. The Smooth Fox Terrier breed is just right; they are manageable in size without being too delicate.
Although Smooth Fox Terrier pups aren't a hot commodity, that doesn't mean you shouldn't bring one home! They're entertaining because of their high excitement, energy, and intelligence. While not as demanding as some other breeds, this one still requires dedicated owners who can provide consistent, loving care.
In summary, the Smooth Fox Terrier breed needs loving homes and caring owners above all else. If you're considering getting a dog of this breed, you should be prepared to meet the needs of an active dog and any of the medical issues mentioned above. If you put in the time and effort to socialize and train these dogs, those who provide them with tasty treats and fun toys will be rewarded with an affectionate and loyal friend.