Muriel P. Lee - Fox Terrier

Physical Characteristics of the Wire Fox Terrier

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: The length of the head from 7 to 7.25 inches, the bitchs head being proportionately shorter. In a well balanced head there should be little apparent difference in length between skull and foreface. The topline of the skull should be almost flat, sloping slightly and gradually decreasing in width toward the eyes, and should not exceed 3.5 inches in diameter at the widest part

Ears: Small and V-shaped and of moderate thickness, the flaps neatly folded over and dropping forward close to the cheeks.

Eyes: Dark in color, moderately small, rather deep-set, not prominent, and full of fire, life, and intelligence; as nearly as possible circular in shape, and not too far apart.

Neck: Clean, muscular, of fair length, free from throatiness and presenting a graceful curve when viewed from the side.

Nose: Black.

Mouth: Both upper and lower jaws should be strong and muscular, the teeth as nearly as possible level and capable of closing together like a vise the lower canines locking in front of the upper and the points of the upper incisors slightly overlapping the lower.

Chest: Deep and not broad. The brisket should be deep, the front ribs moderately arched, and the back ribs deep and well sprung.

Shoulders: When viewed from the side they should be long, well laid back, and should slope obliquely backwards from points to withers, which should always be clean-cut.

Forelegs: Viewed from any direction the legs should be straight, the bone of the forelegs strong right down to the feet.

Elbows: Should hang perpendicular to the body, working free of the sides, carried straight through in traveling.

Tail: Set on rather high and carried gaily. It should be of good strength and substance and of fair length.

Back: Short and level with no appearance of slackness.

Hindquarters: Strong and muscular, quite free from droop or crouch; the thighs long and powerful, stifles well curved and turned neither in nor out; hocks well bent and near the ground should be perfectly upright and parallel.

Loins: Muscular and very slightly arched. The bitch may be slightly longer in couplings than the dog.

Coat: Broken, the hairs having a tendency to twist, and are of dense, wiry texturelike coconut mattingthe hairs growing so closely and strongly together that, when parted with the fingers, the skin cannot be seen.

Size and Proportion: A full-sized, well balanced dog should not exceed 15.5 inches at the withersthe bitch being proportionately lowernor should the length of back from withers to root of tail exceed 12 inches, while to maintain the relative proportions, the head should not exceed 7.25 inches or be less than 7 inches.

Feet: Round, compact, and not largethe pads tough and well cushioned, and the toes moderately arched and turned neither in nor out.

Contents

Explore the origins of the two Fox Terrier breeds, the Wire and the Smooth, and meet the early dogs and winners of each breed that made a lasting impression on this most popular of British terriers. Trace the Fox Terriers beginnings through the foundation kennels in the UK that stabilized the breeds and see the breeds spread of popularity beyond to the US and around the world.

Is a Fox Terrier the right dog for you? How do the breed characteristics match your expectations of a companion animal? Find out whether a feisty spirited terrier is the ideal companion to fit with your family, home and lifestyle. Learn about the specifics of the two Fox Terriers personalities, physical traits and health concerns.

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Fox Terrier by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standards. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standards.

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Fox Terrier puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and solving basic puppy problems.

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Fox Terrier every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails and bathing; and exercise needs for your dog. Also discussed are the essentials of dog identification.

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Fox Terrier, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Enter Puppy Kindergarten and introduce the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dogs healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Heres how to get started in AKC shows, how they are organized and whats required for your dog to become a champion. Take a leap into the realms of obedience trials, agility, earthdog events and tracking tests.

K ENNEL C LUB B OOKS F OX T ERRIER

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-272-6

eISBN 13: 978-1-59378-630-4

Copyright 2005 Kennel Club Books An Imprint of I-5 Press A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618
Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

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Photography by Isabelle Franais

with additional photographs by

Mary Bloom, Paulette Braun, T.J. Calhoun, Alan and Sandy Carey, Isabelle Franais, Carol Ann Johnson, Bill Jonas and Karen Taylor.

Illustrations by Rene Low and Patricia Peters.

The publisher wishes to thank Rick Chashoudian, Sam Draper, Virginia Matanic, Kathleen Reges and all of the owners whose dogs are illustrated in this book.