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

The Kennel Club Picture Library - © David Dalton

General Appearance
Active and lively, bone and strength in small compass, never cloddy or coarse. Conformation to show perfect balance; in particular this applies to the relative proportions of skull and foreface, and similarly height at withers and length of body from shoulder point to buttocks appear approximately equal. Standing like a short-backed hunter covering a lot of ground.

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

Temperament
Friendly, forthcoming and fearless.

Head and Skull
Topline of skull almost flat, sloping slightly and gradually decreasing in width towards eyes. Little difference in length between skull and foreface. If foreface is noticeably shorter head looks weak and unfinished. Foreface gradually tapering from eye to muzzle and dipping slightly at its juncture with forehead but not dished or falling away quickly below eyes where it should be full and well made up. Excessive bony or muscular development of jaws undesirable and unsightly. Full and rounded contour of cheeks undesirable. Nose black.

Eyes
Dark, full of fire and intelligence, moderately small, not prominent. As near circular in shape as possible. Not too far apart nor too high in skull nor too near ears. Light eyes highly undesirable.

Ears
Small, V-shaped, of moderate thickness, flaps neatly folded over and dropping forward close to cheeks. Top line of folded ears well above level of skull. Prick, tulip or rose ears highly undesirable.

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

Neck
Clean, muscular, of fair length, free from throatiness, broadening to shoulders, presenting a graceful curve when viewed from side.

Forequarters
Seen from front, shoulders slope steeply down from junction with neck towards points which should be fine; viewed from side, long and well laid back and sloping obliquely backwards. Withers always clean-cut. Chest deep, not broad. Viewed from any direction, legs straight, bone strong right down to feet. Elbows perpendicular to body, working free of sides, carried straight when moving.

Body
Back short, level and strong without slackness, loin muscular, slightly arched. Brisket deep, front ribs moderately arched, rear ribs deep, well sprung. Very short coupled.

Hindquarters
Strong, muscular and free from droop or crouch. Thighs long and powerful. Stifles well bent, turning neither in nor out. Hocks well let down, upright and parallel when viewed from rear. Combination of short second thigh and straight stifle highly undesirable.

Feet
Round, compact with small, tough and well cushioned pads, toes moderately arched. Turning neither in nor out.

Tail
Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Set high. Carried erect, not over back or curled. Of good strength and fair length.
Undocked: Set high. Carried erect, not over back or curled. Of good strength and fair length to maintain a balanced appearance.

Gait/Movement
Fore- and hindlegs move straight forward and parallel. Elbows move perpendicular to body, working free of sides. Stifles turning neither in nor out. Good drive coming from well flexing hindquarters.

Coat
Dense, very wiry texture, 2 cms (3/4 in) on shoulder to 4 cms (11/2 ins) on withers, back, ribs and quarters with undercoat of short, softer hair. Back and quarters harsher than sides. Hair on jaws crisp and of sufficient length to impart appearance of strength to foreface. Leg hair dense and crisp.

Colour
White predominates with black, black and tan or tan markings. Brindle, red, liver or slate-blue marking undesirable.

Size
Height at withers not exceeding 39 cms (151/2 ins) in dogs, bitches slightly less. Ideal weight in show condition 8 kgs (18 lbs) for dogs, bitches slightly less.

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 Wiggins. Tel No: 01384 567490
• FOX TERRIER CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec. Mr J 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. Mrs R Turner. Tel No: 01286 881344
• ULSTER FOX TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mrs Shepherd - 028 9071 8592
• WIRE FOX TERRIER ASSOC. Sec. Mrs B Kay. Tel No: 01842 754791
• YORKSHIRE FOX TERRIER ASSOC. Sec. Miss P Fox. Tel No: 01924 467804

Date:

Last updated on:

Categories:

Discover Dogs, Terrier Group 

This article has been read 27051 times.