This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, April 2014 issue.
The TFT has the vivaciousness of the Miniature Pinscher and the keenness of the Toy Manchester but he is decidedly diferent. Here are some things that make him uniquely Toy Fox Terrier. Words or phrases in bold are direct quotes from the Standard and within context. Te AKC Toy Fox Terrier Standard says he has terrier attributes but reminds us that he is “diminutive” and like all Toys, he has an “endless abiding love for his master.” We know terriers love their family but let’s admit it, terriers may dawdle a bit when there’s an interesting sound in the bushes or another dog to be checked out.
Like the Chihuahua (one of his admitted genetic contributors) when called, the TFT will stop whatever he’s doing and race as fast as his sturdy legs can carry him, straight into the arms or lap of his owner. He’s a perfect blend of the “courage and animation” so prized in the terrier, and the ever-attentive, eager to please, gentler personality of the toy dog companion. Size is addressed in the AKC standard. Troughout his history (one of only three breeds in early UKC conformation), the Toy Fox Terrier has always been weighed in or out. Te AKC standard keeps size down by measuring out dogs over 11½ inches while demanding they be at least 8½ inches tall. One thing this does is prevent breeders from trying to breed or show “tea cups”. Tis dog is square in proportion as is the dog on the above right, but you will see many that are way too long, and if judges forgive the slightly longer in male dogs, we’ll see even more long-bodied TFTs. Te bone must be strong and although breeders have done will with it, there is a problem known as brittle bone syndrome.
Some other breeds may have brittle bones but they don’t think they are superman and are not given to leaping of tall buildings as is this fearless little fox terrier. Head is elegant but the muzzle is strong rather than fne. While there should be no indication of coarseness, we must remember the history is that of a working terrier. Tat is also why under Bite we are told he must have a full complement of strong white teeth.. not tiny, poorly-rooted “toy” teeth. Te eyes are dark, including eye-rims, with the exception of chocolates. Te eyes are round, not oval as in the Min Pin. Tey should be full… and somewhat prominent and set well apart. Eyes are never bulging. Te soft intelligent expression is defnitely not the hardbitten or stern expression seen in many terriers. Ears are confusing to some but two things will keep you on track. First, they should be right up on top of the head, high and close together, but never touching. Ears size is in proportion to the head and body. As in most breeds, no exception is made for pups of show age. Te ears must be erect. Te skull is moderately wide and only slightly rounded. It is softly wedge shaped and the standard further explains that when view from the front, the head widens gradually right to the base of the ears. When viewed in profle, the medium stop is not abrupt, it is somewhat sloping.
Te head is in equal proportion from nose to stop and from stop to occiput and should be in equal balance whether seen from front or profle and it should be in proportion to the dog. Tis head study exemplifes proper stop, ratio, proportion, strength, shape and ear size and placement. An apple head is faulty. Muzzle is parallel to top of skull and strong enough to grasp a varmit. Lips are small and tight. Bite is preferred full and complete with strong white teeth that meet in a scissors. Lost teeth should not to be faulted as long as the bite is correct. Neck is proudly erect, arched, curved, muscular, and should not be throaty. In fact, this is a dog that flls up his supple skin so there should be no wrinkles anywhere. Te neck length is approximately the same as the head but you don’t need to measure. Tis standard clearly describes overall balance with no one feature exaggerated. A swan neck would be too weak to allow the TFT to snap the neck of a rodent in one swift shake. Topline is level whether moving or standing. Te Body tapers slightly from ribs to fank when viewed from above and has moderate tuck-up. It should not appear racy in outline, this is a terrier with substance. Te chest is deep and muscular with well sprung ribs and deep brisket, reaching to the elbow. Te Back is straight, level, and muscular and the Loin is short and strong. Te Croup is also level with topline and well rounded. Te Tail is set on high, held erect and in proportion to dog, meaning docked to the 3rd or 4th joint. Forequarters are well angulated but not overdeveloped meaning they are well muscled but not bulging.
Te forechest is well developed. Feet are small and oval with strong well-arched tight toes and deep pads. Hindquarters are strong and muscular, including the upper and lower thigh, which should be of good length. Weak underdeveloped rear quarters could be from “lack of conditioning” but in a dog as active as the TFT, that means the exhibit is not properly kept so… A Toy Fox Terrier will always be hard and muscular if well bred and given even a short opportunity to exercise each day. Stifes are clearly defned and well angulated so a steep rear with weak tendons is a serious genetic faw in a dog that has always earned its keep, or it indicates lack of care. Te breed is not cowhocked. Period. Rear Dewclaws should be removed if present. Coat is shiny, satiny, fne in texture and smooth to the touch. It is not open, coarse or wiry. Te ruf and onto the neck and shoulders is slightly longer. Although the standard states it uniformly covers the body, it will be thinner on muzzle, inside of legs, and feet. Te coat should feel as though the dog is snugly wrapped in satin.
Color is usually tri-color but white and tan, black and white, and tri-color with chocolate in place of black is equally acceptable. Te body is always over ffty percent white regardless of the head color. Te Tri-Color (black head or chocolate head) must have sharply defned tan markings on cheeks, lips, and eye dots. Body spots (black, tan, or chocolate) should be rich and clear and of the same color as the head. Blazes are acceptable but may not touch the eyes or ears. Te body should be clear white but a small amount of ticking is not penalized. Gait is smooth and fowing, not mincing, not high stepping and most defnitely not hackney. Te front legs should reach well out in a straight line from shoulder to foot with no wasted motion or fipping of pasterns. Te rear has strong drive as befts a dog that is ft and muscular enough to do the many tasks we have asked of him. Again, emphasis is on a level straight topline and the head and tail carriage is erect. Temperament is intelligent but let’s face it, no standard calls for the dog to be a dullard.
Tis standard spells it out. He learns new tasks easily, is eager to please, and adapts to almost any situation. He is like other terriers and not easily intimidated so you can forgive a puppy for being a bit overwhelmed, but the adult should be self-possessed, spirited, determined. Ten, just to be sure you got the message, it warns that any dog lacking good terrier attitude and personality is to be faulted. You will either like this spirited little dog, or you won’t. But what you must do is take time to learn what makes him a Toy Fox Terrier and how to weigh his many virtues and then make a commitment to judge him with his background and heritage in your mind. Feel free to judge him with pride in what Americans can do. He is among only a few breeds developed in this country and he takes a back seat to none!
