Smooth Fox Terrier

15-17 lbs
13-15"
England

Originally utilized for vermin hunting and fox bolting, the Smooth Fox Terrier weighs an average of 15-19 pounds with an average height of 15.5 inches. While its past is not well-documented, the breed appears to date back to the 1700’s. While the Smooth Fox Terrier was initially registered as a variety of the Fox Terriers (the other variety is the Wire Fox Terrier) the two have different ancestors; the smooth is thought to have come from Smooth Coated black and tan Terriers, the Bull Terrier, the Greyhound and the Beagle. One of the first breeds to enter the show ring, the Smooth Fox Terrier is typically pretty reserved with strangers and devoted to his family, allowing dogs of the breed to make excellent watchdogs.

purpose Purpose
vermin hunting, fox bolting
history Date of Origin
1700s
ancestry Ancestry
terrier

Smooth Fox Terrier Health

Sketch of Smooth Fox Terrier
Average Size
Male Smooth Fox Terrier size stats
Height: 13-15 inches Weight: 17-19 lbs
Female Smooth Fox Terrier size stats
Height: 13-15 inches Weight: 15-17 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Usually A Very Healthy Breed
Minor Concerns
  • Distichiasis
  • Cataracts
  • Lens Luxation
  • Shoulder Dislocation
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Occasional Tests
  • Eye
  • Hip
  • Skeletal
  • X-Rays
  • Eye Examination
  • Physical Examination

Smooth Fox Terrier Breed History

Bred to hunt vermin, the Fox Terrier originated in England and joined Foxhound packs that chased the foxes looking for cover. Once the fox was run to the ground, the Smooth Fox Terrier would get him out. While the Smooth and the Wire Fox Terriers were originally registered as two varieties of one breed, they have different ancestors. It is thought that the Smooth Fox Terrier came from the Smooth-coated Black and Tan Terrier, the Bull Terrier, the Greyhound and the Beagle. One of the first breeds to enter the show ring, the Smooth Fox Terrier was first shown as a sporting breed as a result of the ability to track and drive foxes from their holes. In 1876 England’s Fox Terrier Club was formed. The American Fox Terrier Club, formed in 1885, was the first of the specialty clubs to become a member of the American Kennel Club. Considered one breed with two varieties in the United States, the American Kennel Club divided the Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers into separate classifications in June of 1985 and separate standards for each went into effect.

Smooth Fox Terrier Breed Appearance

Small and muscular (standing about 15.5 inches tall, males average 17-19 pounds, females average 15-17 pounds), the Smooth Fox Terrier is square in shape with a strong jaw, teeth that meet in a scissors bite, a short back, thick neck and a narrow head. The skull of the breed is flat and narrows to the eyes and his muzzle tapers to a black nose. The eyes and eye rims of the breed are darkly colored and he has small ears that fall forward close to his cheeks. His compact body assists in his ability to run quickly for an extended period of time when hunting. The hindquarters of dogs of this breed are muscular and his tail (usually docked by ¼) stands straight up. The Smooth Fox Terrier has an undercoat with short, fine hair and an outer coat that is thick, smooth and mostly white, with markings that are tan or black. 

Appearance of Smooth Fox Terrier
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Smooth Fox Terrier eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Smooth Fox Terrier nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
pied Smooth Fox Terrier coat
Pied
white Smooth Fox Terrier coat
White
black Smooth Fox Terrier coat
Black
cream Smooth Fox Terrier coat
Cream
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Smooth Fox Terrier straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Smooth Fox Terrier Breed Maintenance

Grooming the Smooth Fox Terrier is simple. They require regular brushing, with more care required during the two times of year that they shed. Regular tooth brushing with a toothpaste recommended by the veterinarian will help dogs of the breed maintain their dental health. Bathing and nail trimming should occur as necessary. An active breed, the Smooth Fox Terrier will exercise itself as long as it has the room to do so in his home or yard. Based on his activity level, access to a fenced in yard is helpful. He will also enjoy taking walks and playing games. Dogs of the breed do best with consistent training and are easily housebroken.

Brushes for Smooth Fox Terrier
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Smooth Fox Terrier requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Smooth Fox Terrier Temperament

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a high energy breed that does not like to slow down. Playful, self-confident, mischievous, curious, independent and bold, the Smooth Fox Terrier enjoys being the center of attention. Highly alert and devoted to his family while wary of strangers, dogs of the breed are excellent watchdogs. They enjoy playing with children, though supervision is recommended as they can bite. The Smooth Fox Terrier is persistent and impulsive; if the chance presents itself he will hunt and kill birds and small animals. To the Smooth Fox Terrier, cats are considered to be prey and he may try to dominate other dogs, though he can do well with other pets if raised with them. Intelligent, but stubborn, training should be consistent. While the Smooth Fox Terrier loves activity and will want to keep busy, at the end of the day he will be content to snuggle while you watch television or head to bed.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
6 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Smooth Fox Terrier Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.5 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.75 - $2.25
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$52.50 - $67.50
food bag monthly cost

Smooth Fox Terrier Height & Weight

6 Months
Sketch of Smooth Fox Terrier at six months
Male Smooth Fox Terrier size stats at six months
Height: 10.0 inches Weight: 13.0 lbs
Female Smooth Fox Terrier size stats at six months
Height: 10.0 inches Weight: 11.0 lbs
12 Months
Sketch of Smooth Fox Terrier at 12 months
Male Smooth Fox Terrier size stats at 12 months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 16.0 lbs
Female Smooth Fox Terrier size stats at 12 months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 14.0 lbs
18 Months
Sketch of Smooth Fox Terrier at 18 months
Male Smooth Fox Terrier size stats at 18 months
Height: 14.0 inches Weight: 18.0 lbs
Female Smooth Fox Terrier size stats at 18 months
Height: 14.0 inches Weight: 16.0 lbs

Top Smooth Fox Terrier Breeders

Check out who made our list for the most reputable Smooth Fox Terrier breeders of 2024.
Top Smooth Fox Terrier breeder Turcoys
Turcoys
Lebanon, Ohio
Top Smooth Fox Terrier breeder Nampara Kozmic
Nampara Kozmic
Magnolia, Texas
Top Smooth Fox Terrier breeder Osage Smooth Fox Terriers
Osage Smooth Fox Terriers
Arnold, Missouri
Top Smooth Fox Terrier breeder Foxwell Kennel
Foxwell Kennel
Canterbury, Connecticut
Top Smooth Fox Terrier breeder D and D's Kennel
D and D's Kennel
Nampa, Idaho

Smooth Fox Terrier Owner Experiences

Cleo
3 Years
5 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Sleeping
Watching tv
Hanging out
Petting a
Chatting
Even tho it's no a breed made for therapy she was really helpful in my psichological therapy just as lifting up the mold in the house for everyone. At certain hours of the day she is full of energy at the point is exhausting. She stays by the side of anyone who is sick in the house. Having a smooth Fox terrier is dope.
5 years, 10 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd