Fox Terrier Dog
A loveable companion, the Fox Terrier is a popular choice amongst energetic families. Historically used to flush foxes out of hiding, they excel in dog sports and obedience.
Fox Terrier At A Glance
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Temperament | A friendly and fearless breed with plenty of excitable energy. |
| Suitable | An active family who loves to get out and about. |
| Health | A healthy breed. However, Fox Terriers, like all breeds, can be prone to some health problems. |
| COMMON CLAIMS | MAXIMUM CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Tissue Damage or Fracture | $412.95 |
| Ear Conditions | $477.68 |
| Eye Conditions | $511.00 |
| Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions | $2,720.60 |
| Heart Condition | $1,036.56 |
| Ingestion of Foreign Body or Toxin | $1,629.75 |
| Laboratory Abnormality | $370.79 |
| Arthritis | $285.00 |
| Cruciate Ligament | $1,787.70 |
| Patella Luxation | $1,082.00 |
*Pet Insurance Australia Data 2022/2023
Trainability
One thing is for sure: Fox Terriers make wonderful training companions. They are quick to learn and love to work alongside their adoring owners. Being an intelligent breed, they will require good training to ensure they keep out of trouble and are entertained. Excelling in all obedience and dog sporting activities, they are ideally suited to an energetic family. Early socialisation and training are essential to ensure your wee pup grows into a well-rounded dog. Exposing your young pup to as many sights, sounds and experiences as possible will provide a well-balanced and happy dog. Puppy preschools are a great way to safely allow your pup to learn all the critical aspects of the world in a secure and nurturing environment. This breed loves to play, so keep your training sessions fun and light. This will guarantee your dog will stay enthusiastic and eager to learn new tricks. Like with all dogs, they need consistency and patience regarding training.
Grooming
The Foxy comes in two different coat types, requiring weekly attention. A good brush once a week will suffice for the Smooth Coated Fox Terrier. As for the Wire Coat Fox Terrier, enlisting a professional groom to ‘strip’ or ‘pluck’ the coat will be needed. Your professional groomer or breeder can teach you how to groom your wire coat variety correctly. They are not a smelly breed, so they will only need a bath occasionally or if – in true Terrier fashion – they’ve found something extra stinky to roll in. Trim your dog’s nails frequently and get your young puppy used to being touched on the feet, face and ears. If you are unsure of how to clip your pup’s nails, ask your vet to show you at your next check-up.
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Common Health Complaints – Fox Terrier
Fox Terriers are generally a healthy and very active breed. However, like all dog breeds, they can be prone to specific health conditions.
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: This is a condition where the ball at the top of the femur lacks blood supply, causing the bone to break down. As the hip joint degenerates, it causes pain and lameness. Typically, this condition will require surgery alongside physiotherapy and medication.
- Patellar Luxation: As with other small breeds, the Fox Terrier is also prone to Patellar Luxation – a painful condition where the kneecap slips out of place, leading to lameness. Surgical correction may be necessary.
- Hip Dysplasia: Fox Terriers can also suffer from Hip Dysplasia, a typically hereditary condition where the hip joint and thigh bone are malformed, leading to pain, lameness and eventual arthritis. Surgery is typically needed, alongside physiotherapy, weight management and medication.
- Dental Problems: Fox Terriers are also prone to dental problems. Regular dental care and a professional yearly clean are highly recommended.
- Skin Allergies: Some Fox Terriers may also develop skin allergies that can lead to itching, rashes, and skin infections. Treatment will include removing environmental triggers (as best as possible) and medication to help control the allergy. Depending on the allergen, prescription diets and specialised medicated shampoo may also be required during seasonal changes.
- Deafness: As with many predominantly white breeds, white-coated Fox Terriers can also be more prone to congenital deafness. This is an incurable genetic condition. However, many deaf dogs live full lives with the right owners.
- Obesity: with that loving and outgoing nature, some Fox Terriers can be prone to overfeeding and treats. They also require a lot of exercise, and those who do not have enough exercise are also more susceptible to weight issues. Ensuring your dog eats the correct food and amount is essential, alongside adequate exercise for the breed. Treatment typically includes a prescription diet, vet monitoring and exercise.
- Eye Conditions: Fox Terriers can also develop painful eye conditions that can lead to blindness, including Glaucoma and Cataracts. Eye exams by your veterinarian are important to diagnose and treat early. Treatment can include surgery or medications, depending on the severity and the condition.
- Heart Problems: Heart failure is caused by a weakening valve, and a condition known as Pulmonic Stenosis can also affect the Fox Terrier. Depending on the heart condition and severity, medication and surgery may be required.
- Epilepsy: As with other dog breeds, Epilepsy can also cause problems with the Fox terrier. Seizures can be controlled with medication and lifelong veterinary support.
Exercise Requirements
The Fox Terriers love to run and play and will need a fair amount of exercise to keep them happy. Two brisk walks daily will keep him content. It’s good to remember that their hunting instinct is pretty strong, so care must be taken when running off-leash. A good fenced area to play is much more appropriate to prevent your pup from ‘taking chase’ and being almost impossible to call back. Training a strong ‘recall’ is also good advice to avoid runaways. Foxy’s love to play and teaching them various new tricks alongside toys will keep him entertained for hours.
Intelligence
A brilliant breed that, if not correctly exercised and entertained, will undoubtedly get into mischief. They are masters at creating their own games and fun. This breed loves to play with toys, so having a good ‘home alone’ collection and rotating these daily can help prevent boredom when you are not at home. These dogs have a wonderful sense of humour and will create much laughter in the home. However, when bored, their form of entertainment may not be so funny – cue the destructive behaviour. Like with all breeds, considering this and ensuring your dog is well-trained, exercised and entertained is essential. Creating a stimulating environment full of enriching ‘jobs’ will help prevent problems when you are not at home.
Family Friendly
The Fox Terrier makes an excellent play companion for a busy household. They love to be integral to the pack and will adjust well to family life. However, it’s essential to do your research on the history of the breed and train accordingly. They have been known to get over-excited and protective over food and toys. With good training, this part of their behaviour can easily be avoided. As with all breeds, it is important to teach your dog how to interact with children correctly and also to teach children how to behave around a dog correctly. They make great animal friends if raised with cats and other dogs, but they are probably not the best option for other small animals, such as rabbits or hamsters, remembering first and foremost they are a terrier.
Indoor/outdoor?
Despite their small size, these dogs are not well suited to apartment living and will need a good fenced yard to run around in. Check fences regularly for any escape routes. They love to run and frolic about with or without you and will need a good-sized area to burn off this exuberant energy. Like with all dogs, providing ample shade and water during the warmer months and a nice warm area during the cooler weather is vital. They will not take well to endless hours left alone in a dog-run or kennel area and will pine for their beloved family.
Responsible Breeding
It is imperative to only source your new Fox Terrier from a reputable breeder who puts the love of the breed and its healthy bloodline first. When talking to a breeder, it is also vital you ask all the important questions about hereditary problems and, if possible, ask to view Mum and Dad. Contacting your local breed club can also help you choose a desired breeder. Your Fox Terrier breeder should have paperwork to show that they regularly test their breeding dogs for genetic diseases. This does take a little more time than a quick purchase; however, it will save you unimaginable heartache and pain dealing with a sick puppy or dog.
Contact PIA for Fox Terrier Pet Insurance
PIA is a family owned pet insurance company for Australia, and we have a long and successful history of helping owners care for their Fox Terriers. Contact us today to learn more about our range of simple, flexible and affordable cover options.
