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Toy Fox Terrier
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Overview
The Toy Fox Terrier shares ancestry with his larger Fox Terrier cousins, but this toy breed is a unique dog with some interesting habits. Owners of Toy Fox Terriers note that it's easy to amuse these pint-sized Fox Terriers — simply sit them in front of the TV. Toy Fox Terriers are known to be so mesmerized by television that it's considered a characteristic of the breed. They are also active little dogs with boundless amounts of energy.
Toy Fox Terriers are plucky little dogs with plenty of sass. They have a natural desire to entertain and to please, but they will not flourish without ample activity and even more affection from their owners, from whom they will have little desire to be separated.
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Personality
Toy Fox Terriers are entertaining little dogs who walk with a prancing gait. They generally weigh between 4 and 7 pounds and most don't stand taller than 10 inches, but they have a huge desire to be actively involved in their families' lives. Toy Fox Terriers were once popular circus dogs who entertained audiences by jumping through hoops and walking on tightropes, so these little dogs are used to entertaining. They have an uncanny knack for amusing their owners with their playful personalities. If you're looking for a dog who will gradually grow out of his puppy-like enthusiasm, this is not the dog for you. Toy Fox Terriers maintain a strong desire to be active and silly throughout their lives. They'll be happiest in homes where they are able to spend lots of time playing with their owners or curled up on their laps.
Despite their small size, Toy Fox Terriers have a lot of energy that they will want to burn off daily. Whether they're allowed to run in the backyard or walk with their owners, they will need some significant exercise to avoid becoming hyperactive indoors. These tiny terriers will appreciate frequent socialization beginning in their puppy years, because otherwise they can have a tendency to become skittish or timid around strangers, especially once they become conscious of their small size. Toy Fox Terriers become very loyal to their owners and they are generally responsive to training and eager to please their owners.
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Coat Care
Toy Fox Terriers are tri-colored in the typical mix of Fox Terrier colorings: black, tan and white. Their body should be predominantly white, but their head should not be more than 50% white. The head is either black with tan markings or tan with small black markings. The body is colored in spots that generally match the spots on the head. Their coats are short smooth and satiny to the touch. The hair should be fine, not coarse, and slightly longer on the ruff and behind the legs. Toy Fox Terriers have naturally docked tails and elongated heads that distinguish them from Chihuahua's apple-shaped heads.
Brushing
Grooming the Toy Fox Terrier is not a challenge. Their fine, short coats shed in small amounts throughout the year, but a quick rub down with a rubber brush or a hound glove should help to remove hair continually and reduce the amount they shed.
Bathing
They will need a bath occasionally, so they should be made accustomed to bath times from an early age. Toy Fox Terriers don't really care for water, so without proper practice, bath times can become an unpleasant experience for you and your little dog.
Hair Clipping
Clipping or trimming your dog’s coat is far easier than you would ever imagine. With the right clipper, trimmer and scissors, giving your dog a haircut is easy on your wallet and your schedule.
Dogs with smooth coats generally only require trims and tidying up in areas of excessive hair growth using a trimmer or blunt scissors. It's always wise to take a dog for a short walk or exercise to calm them down before trimming. Remember to brush the coat first to remove any tangles and mats. Don't forget to trim around the paws, pads, tail, chest and sanitary areas, as needed. The coat should lay flat and smooth against the body when finished.
Nails
Many dog owners are apprehensive about trimming their dog’s nails because they are nervous about cutting into the quick. But with the right conditioning and careful cutting, nail clipping can be a simple, stress-free activity for you and your dog.
Provide your dog with plenty of positive reinforcement and even treats to help associate nail clipping with a positive experience. As you start to clip, gently press on your dog’s paws to help him become accustomed to the feeling of having his nails clipped. Then, work gradually, shaving down just a thin portion of the nail at first to make sure you don’t reach the quick. Clip one nail, reward your dog with a treat, and stop to give him some positive reinforcement before moving on. Gradually increase the number of nails you clip in one sitting to help your dog get used to the process. Never trim extremely long nails down to a short nail in one sitting, because this is an excellent way to accidently quick the dog’s nail. Instead, work gradually, shaving small portions of your dog’s nails off each time.
You can tell if you’re getting close to the quick by the texture of your dog’s nail. The nail is hard closer to the surface and becomes softer as you get closer to the quick. If your dog’s nail starts to feel softer, that’s a good indication that you’re getting close to the quick.
Eyes / Ears
Not all breeds and coat styles require routine trimming in and around the eyes and ears but all should undergo regular inspection and cleaning around these sensitive areas. Doing so will help prevent the development of infections that could seriously damage these amazing organs.
It is always important to routinely clean your dog's eyes and ears, and examine for potential infections. Some smooth-coated dogs, like Basenjis and Boxers, and dogs with large ears, like Weimaraners and Great Danes, have sensitive ears that should be checked weekly for infection and cleaned with a cotton ball. Gently wipe a cotton ball moistened with mineral oil, olive oil or witch hazel in your dog's ear, being careful to avoid the ear canal. Never use a Q-Tip, which could cause damage to the inner ear if your dog suddenly shakes or jerks his head. Bushy hair growth within the ear can be thinned with tweezers or blunt scissors. Use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around the eyes, ears and face. If you have a small dog, like an Italian Greyhound, take special care to clean around their eyes with a cotton ball or soft cloth and use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around their eyes to make sure they are comfortable. Dogs with facial wrinkles, like French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers, should have their faces wiped down at least weekly to prevent infection.
Teeth
Make sure to brush Toy Fox Terrier's teeth weekly and provide them with plenty of Denta-bones to chew on, because Toy Fox Terriers can have sensitive teeth and develop gum issues over time.