^© The Kennel Club - Unauthorised Reproduction of Text and Images Prohibited

The Kennel Club Picture Library - © Diane Pearce and Per Unden

General Appearance
Active and lively, bone and strength in small compass, never cloddy or coarse. Neither leggy nor too short in the leg, standing like a well made, short-backed hunter, covering a lot of ground.

Characteristics
Alert, quick of movement, keen of expression, on tiptoe of expectation.

Temperament
Friendly, forthcoming and fearless.

Head and Skull
Skull flat, moderately narrow, gradually decreasing in width to eyes. A little stop apparent, cheeks never full, jaws, upper and lower, strong and muscular, falling away only slightly below eyes. This portion of foreface moderately chiselled out, so as not to go down in a straight line like a wedge. Nose black.

Eyes
Dark, small and rather deeply set, as near as possible circular in shape. Expression bright and intelligent.

Ears
Small, V-shaped and dropping forward close to cheek, not hanging by side of head. Fold of ear above level of skull. Leather of moderate thickness.

Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Clean and muscular, without throatiness, of fair length and gradually widening to shoulders.

Forequarters
Shoulders long and sloping, well laid back, fine at points, cleanly cut at withers. Legs from any angle must be straight showing little or no appearance of an ankle in front. They should be strong in bone throughout.

Body
Chest deep, not broad. Back short, level and strong without slackness. Loin powerful, very slightly arched. Foreribs moderately sprung, back ribs deep.

Hindquarters
Strong and muscular, quite free from droop or crouch; thighs long and powerful, hocks well let down, good turn of stifle.

Feet
Small, round and compact. Soles hard and tough, toes moderately arched, and turning neither in nor out.

Tail
Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Set on rather high and carried gaily but not over back or curled. Of good strength.
Undocked: Set on rather high and carried gaily but not over back. As straight as possible. Tail of moderate length to give balance to the dog.

Gait/Movement
Fore- and hindlegs carried straight forward and parallel. Elbows move perpendicular to body, working free of sides, stifles neither turning in nor out and hocks not close. Good drive coming from well flexing hindquarters.

Coat
Straight, flat, smooth, hard, dense and abundant. Belly and underside of thighs not bare.

Colour
White should predominate, all white, white with tan, black and tan or black markings. Brindle, red or liver markings highly undesirable.

Size
Dogs: 7.5-8 kgs (16-18 lbs); bitches: 7-7.5 kgs (15-17 lbs).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - September 2007

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• BIRMINGHAM & DISTRICT FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mrs J Tate. Tel No: Not available - for more information contact the Kennel Club
• BOLTON & DISTRICT FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mr M Yates. Tel No: 01942 238613
• FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mrs S Wiggins. Tel No: 01384 567490
• FOX TERRIER CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec: Mrs A McGhie. Tel No: 01698 458736
• FOX TERRIER CLUB OF SOUTH WALES. Sec: Ms R King. Tel No: 01559 370881
• MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mr B Grattidge. Tel No: 01623 752340
• NOTTS FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mrs C Davies. Tel No: 01246 854082
• SHEFFIELD FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mrs E Crooks. Tel No: 01226 759459
• SMOOTH FOX TERRIER ASSOC. Sec: Mr J McGhie. Tel No: not available - for more information contact the Kennel Club
• ULSTER FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mrs Shepherd - 028 9071 8592
• YORKSHIRE FOX TERRIER ASSOC. Sec. Miss P Fox. Tel No: 01924 467804

This breed of dog is a 'Vulnerable Native Breed'.

Date:

Last updated on:

Categories:

Discover Dogs, Terrier Group 

This article has been read 36757 times.