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

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

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, moderately small, as near as possible circular in shape but not prominent. 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 - October 2009

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are 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.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• BIRMINGHAM & DISTRICT FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Mrs L England. Tel No: 01366 328826
• BOLTON & DISTRICT FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Mr M Yates. Tel No: 01942 238613
• FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Mrs A Wilson. Tel No: 01257 791483
• FOX TERRIER CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec: Mrs A McGhie. Tel No: 01698 458736
• FOX TERRIER CLUB OF SOUTH WALES. Sec: Ms W Phillips Tel No: 01633 775735
• 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 page created:

Categories:

Terrier Group 

This article has been read 46475 times.