Toy Fox Terrier
Group: Toy Group
Origin: Great Britain
Height: 8.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight: 3 ½ to 7 lbs. (1.5 to 3 Kg)
Also Referred to as: Amertoy (short for American Toy Fox Terrier)
Photo courtesy of Angie Lovell
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Breed Profile
The Toy Fox Terrier is a descendant of the Smooth Fox Terrier which originated in England. He is a true American, developed through a cross of small Smooth Fox Terriers with various types of toy breeds, including the Italian Greyhound, Miniature Pinscher, and the Chihuahua. Although smaller than the Smooth Fox Terrier, he is still a working terrier.
The Toy Fox Terrier remains playful all of his life. He is spirited, determined, easily trained, alert, loyal, fearless and very intelligent. He is a fast learner, eager to please, and adapts well to almost any situation. He makes a wonderful companion and is said to anticipate his master’s moods and thoughts. He possesses the terrier’s keen intelligence, courage and animation as well as the toy’s devotion and loyalty to his family.
The Amertoy’s appearance is athletic, graceful and agile, giving an impression of effortless movement, strength and stamina. His coat is short, satiny, fine in texture and smooth to touch. He is usually white with black and/or tan markings with the head mainly black or tan.
Health Issues
Though generally a healthy breed, the Toy Fox Terrier is susceptible to certain health problems, including:
— A skin disease caused by microscopic parasitic mites. - Patellar Luxation — A dislocation of the kneecap (patella). This may result from injury or from congenital deformities. All breeding dogs should be screened for Patellar Luxation.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease — Generally a disease of small breeds and often confused with congenital hip dysplasia.
- von Willebrand’s Disease — An autosomal recessive genetic disease. Affected animals suffer a condition which makes them more likely to bleed abnormally, similar in symptoms to Hemophilia in humans.
If you are considering the adoption of a Toy Fox Terrier puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy’s parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main General Information page.)
Additional Health Resources:
- ATFTC Health Information
- Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
- Health and Nutrition — Growing section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website which includes information on several health and nutrition related issues.
- AKC Canine Health Foundation — Working towards developing scientific advances in canine health.
- Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
- Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
- University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip)
- HealthGene — HealthGene Corporation is the leading provider of veterinary DNA diagnostic services in Canada.
- Labgenvet — Laboratory of Veterinary Genetics is a Canadian diagnostic laboratory that offers a comprehensive service of DNA tests for veterinary genetic diseases.
Breed Standards
Photo courtesy of Angie Lovell
Grooming Information
- Grooming — This section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.
Training Resources
- Training — For training information, see this growing section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
Additional Information
- Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your dog.
- Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website provides information and listings of organizations that are involved in various dog jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.
Breed Listing
*NOTE 1: CHIC – The Canine Health Information Center “is a database of consolidated health screening results from multiple sources. Co-sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation, CHIC works with parent clubs to identify health screening protocols appropriate for individual breeds. Dogs tested in accordance with the parent club established requirements, that have their results registered and made available in the public domain are issued CHIC numbers.” To learn more, visit: www.caninehealthinfo.org
*NOTE 2: The Fédération Cynologique International (FCI) is the World Canine Organization, which includes 91 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 344 breeds, with each being the “property” of a specific country. The “owner” countries write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.
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