Other names: Smooths
Origin
The Smooth is thought to have come about from crosses of the Old English Terrier, smooth coated Black and Tan terriers of England, Bull Terriers, Greyhounds and Beagles. They were used by hunters with the foxhounds to locate foxes when they went to ground by barking and so pinpointing the position of the fox for the huntsman.. They can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century when both smooth and broken coated were from the same origins and classed as one breed. Later, devotees of both coats bred like to like and developed the Wire and Smooth Fox Terrier as we know it today.. The breed Standard for this dog was drawn up in 1876 by Officers of The Fox Terier Club and there are few differences with today’s Standard. Now the weight for dogs is more clearly stated and docking, though customary, is optional.
Description
The Smooth is a small active and lively terrier. They have a long, lean head and a short back. Their coats are flat, smooth and dense.
| Size | Small |
| Colour | The Smooth Fox Terrier can be solid white, white with tan, black, or black and tan markings. White should predominate. |
| Coat Length | Short Medium |
| Weight/Height Range | Dogs should measure no more than 39cms at the withers, bitches slightly less. Dogs weigh between 7.3-8.2kgs and bitches should ideally weigh between 6.8-7.7kgs. |
| Ailments | As a breed the Smooth is a hardy dog that doesn’t suffer from many health problems and any problems they do have tend to be as individuals and non-breed specific. The breed’s hardy constitution and known longevity has never led to the need for breed testing for clinical or hereditary defects. |
| Breed Classification |
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a member of the terrier group. They were originally used for locating the position of foxes in their tunnels and in killing vermin. Today they are still used as hunters but more commonly as companions. |
Feeding & Ownership
The Smooth is not demanding in its feeding requirements. They do eat a lot considering their size but they are active little dogs. Their food can cost up to $4.50 per week.
| Food Cost | $5 to $10 |
Personality
In general the Smooth is a friendly, devoted and affectionate dog with lots of personality. They can be protective if they feel a member of their family is in danger or being threatened. Smooths get on well with children and do make ideal family pets. They have to be socialised from an early age especially with cats and any other household pets. Keen gardeners may find that this dog digs up their plants rather quickly as digging is one of their favourite pastimes if not corrected, but as with many other breeds, with initial training this is not a problem. Whilst the breed is suitable for hot, sunny climates, they will also thrive in cool ones. They are equally content to live and sleep indoors or out.
| Intelligence | The Smooth is an intelligent terrier but can be a bit stubborn like most terriers. Training is relatively easy but owners must be consistent and firm. They like to bark and dig so must be trained to stop these actions on command. They can be quite dominant over other dogs so should be properly socialised as puppies. |
| Energy | High |
| Suitability for Children | High |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | This dog should have lots of exercise, they are full of energy and like nothing better than a long walk. They do well in agility and fly ball games. They should be kept on a lead near traffic as they do have a tendency to chase cats, only because they love to play chasing games. They can live with cats in their own home but outside they will chase them. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | Medium |
| Ease of Transportation | High |
| Level of Aggression | Medium |
| Other Animal Compatibility | Medium |
Grooming
Grooming the Smooth is relatively easy as they are clean little dogs. A rubber grooming mitt or stiffish brush used twice a week will remove any dead and loose hair reducing the amount of hair that is shed. If the coat becomes wet or muddy it does not take long to dry. It is then easier to remove the dirt from the coat when it is dry.
| Grooming Requirements | Once a week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Little |
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