The site was last updated on
24 Aug 2000
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Name of breed: Fox
Terrier
Class: Terrier
Recognized: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI, KC (GB),
KUSA.
Size: Maximum height at withers: dogs 39cm (15.5in),
bitches slightly less. Weight: 7.2-8.2kg (16-18lb).
Coat: Smooth Straight,
flat and smooth. Wire Dense and very wire.
Colors: Smooth
All white: white with tan or black markings, white should predominate; brindle,
red or liver markings highly undesirable. Wire White should predominate
with black or tan markings; brindle, red, liver or slate-blue markings
undesirable.
The smooth For
Terrier started life as a stable dog, its job being to hunt vermin. It probably
descends from terriers in the English countries of Cheshire and Shropshire with
some Beagle blood added. The Wire, which is a great
rabbiter, originated in the coal-mining areas of Durham and Derbyshire in
England, and in Wales. As their names imply, they will also go into pursuit the
of the fox.
For many years, the Smooth and Wire For Terriers were bred together, regardless
of coat. All the great Wire resulted from the mating of a Smooth Fox Terrier
called Jock with a bitch of unknown antecedents, but definitely wire-haired,
called Trap. The Smooth was given its own register in 1876, three years after
the British Kennel Club was founded, but the conformation of the two breeds
still remains the same.
Both varieties of Fox Terrier were much sought after in Britain in the 1930s.
Sadly, they are now seen less frequently. The Wire is more popular that its
smooth-coated relatives, with is rarely seen outside the show ring.
Character and care
The the Fox Terrier are affectionate, and trainable, and make the ideal small child's companion for rabbiting. The smooth needs daily grooming with a stiff brush, and trimming and chalking before a show. The Wire needs to be hand-stripped three times a year, and to be groomed regularly.
