All About
Fox Terrier Dogs
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Fox Terriers, Feisty and Still Favored
By: Stephanie Hetu
Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first used
for hunting of some sort and so came up as aggressive and
lively), Fox Terriers have a unique reputation: for being some of
the more scampish of the group. That is, Fox terriers are of the
breed with the challenging personality that has been identified
throughout their history as being as foxy as the foxes they once
used to hunt.
In fact, beginning in the 15th century, the smooth-haired Fox
Terriers were favored by the British to go to ground for small
game animals. By the 18th century when the English made fox
hunting the ideal sport, the hunt masters (the ones assigned to
kill the fox) chose terriers to be by their sides, though they
were dismayed that the terrier's legs were too short to keep up
with the foxhounds. This generated a great number of hunt
kennels, where the smooth-haired Fox Terriers were bred,
developed, and improved upon to meet the hunt master's needs and
standards.
Like smooth Fox Terriers, wire-haired Fox Terriers»mid-18th
century crosses between the smooth Fox and the rough-haired Black
and Tan Terrier were used in the hunt for fox routing. Both
varieties, with muscular, low-to-the-ground and compact bodies,
were energetic and game breeds (varieties that became
acknowledged as separate breeds, that is) that were the ideal
foxers for another hundred years.
Then, in the early 1900's, the attraction to both
varieties/breeds took on a very different bent: the Smooth Fox
Terriers were discovered by the general American public in the
1920's represented on the logo for a recording company label, a
smooth Fox Terrier is pictured listening to "his master's voice".
And not long after, the Wire Fox Terriers were spotted in 1934 in
one wily pup playing the role of Asta, Nick and Nora's impish pet
in the Thin Man.
And so the Fox Terriers» personality (and reputation) was born.
The Smooth Fox Terriers are still today lively, playful, and a
little foxy. The Wired Fox, similarly, are full of peppery spunk
and on the hunt for play at all times. This may, as some have
decided, suggest a challenging, stubborn manner, but given both
breeds' alertness, this also means they are great watchdogs and
even better as pets for kids.
In fact, Fox Terriers need activity and continuous
stimulation/attention. So daily exercise and a small bit of space
to romp are ideal elements in the Fox environment. Also ideal are
an occasional bath for both the smooth, flat, and hard and dense
coat of the Smooth and the dense, wiry, broken haired coat of the
Wire and frequent brushing to prevent what little amassing hair
from the shedding that does occur.
The rest of the needs of the Smooth Fox Terriers with staying
powers that outlast the best foxes and the Wire Fox Terriers with
the hardy and cocksure personalities are simple if you are up to
it, if you are up to the antics of two terrier breeds that are
always a surprise. Even to the Master.
For more really great info and lot's of fun stuff for
Terrier Dogs & Terrier Dog Lovers.....Please visit:
Happy Terrier Dogs A virtual Paradise for
Terrier Dogs
Reprinted with permission
Copyright © 2005
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