Fox Terriers are outgoing, alert, active dogs, originally bred to be independent hunters. Although Fox Terriers have minds of their own, they are very affectionate and companionable. With their intelligence and determination, Fox Terriers careers today include obedience and agility winners, search and rescue, drug detection and circus performer as well as service dogs for the disabled.

General Appearance

The Terrier should be alert, quick of movement, keen of expression, on the tip-toe of expectation at the slightest provocation. Character is imparted by the expression of the eyes and by the carriage of ears and tail.

Bone and strength in a small compass are essential, but this must not be taken to mean that a Terrier should be “cloddy,” or in any way coarse–speed and endurance being requisite as well as power. The Terrier must on no account be leggy, nor must he be too short on the leg. He should stand like a cleverly made, short-backed hunter, covering a lot of ground.

Temperament

The Terrier should be alert, quick of movement, keen of expression, on the tip-toe of expectation at the slightest provocation.

Size

According to present-day requirements, a full-sized, well balanced dog should not exceed 15½ inches at the withers–the bitch being proportionately lower–nor should the length of back from withers to root of tail exceed 12 inches, while to maintain the relative proportions, the head-as mentioned below-should not exceed 7¼ inches or be less than 7 inches. A dog with these measurements should scale 18 pounds in show condition–a bitch weighing some two pounds less–with a margin of one pound either way.

Color

White should predominate; brindle, red, liver or slaty blue are objectionable. Otherwise, color is of little or no importance..

Learn more at the American Fox Terrier Club.