Toy Fox Terrier
- Height at the withers
- 22 to 29 cm
- Weight
- 1.6 to 3.2 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 16 years
- Daily activity
- 45 minutes
- Origin
- United States
- FCI group
- Not recognized
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- apartment living, with regular outings
- a first dog
Less suited to
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- a home with cats
- noise-sensitive neighbors: it likes to bark
Overview
A small, athletic and elegant terrier with a short, fine coat and an alert, lively bearing, combining the size of a toy breed with a true terrier temperament and the spirit of a bigger dog.
History and origins
Developed in the early 20th century in the United States by crossing small Smooth Fox Terriers with toy breeds including the Chihuahua, the Manchester Terrier and the Italian Greyhound, to create a smaller, versatile companion.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 16 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
- Congenital hypothyroidism with goiter
- von Willebrand disease
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Low shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Perfect, 5 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Polite, 3 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Easy, 4 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Good fit, 4 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Frequent, 4 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Very low, 1 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Toy Fox Terrier FAQ
How big does the Toy Fox Terrier get?
The Toy Fox Terrier stands 22 to 29 cm at the withers and weighs 1.6 to 3.2 kg. It is a very small dog.
Does the Toy Fox Terrier shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Toy Fox Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, very well: calm indoors, it adapts perfectly to an apartment. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Toy Fox Terrier need each day?
Allow about 45 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Toy Fox Terrier good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Toy Fox Terrier live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 16 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are patellar luxation and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.
