| The Toy Fox Terrier is directly descended | | | | that trait hasn't been bred out of the Toy |
| from the Smooth Fox Terrier and has long | | | | Fox Terrier. |
| awaited official recognition from some canine | | | | |
| organizations. The Smooth Fox Terrier was | | | | One important thing to remember about these |
| likely created as a cross between several | | | | terriers is that they're lively, curious and |
| breeds, including the Dachshund. Later, | | | | intelligent - a combination that keeps many |
| selective breeding and crossing with some | | | | owners on their toes. Added to that is the |
| other very small breeds led to the | | | | fact that these dogs don't tend to outgrow |
| establishment of the Toy Fox Terrier as a | | | | that natural bubbly personality. The Toy Fox |
| separate breed. Some people call this breed | | | | Terrier, as is typical of many small breeds, |
| the American Toy Terrier. The word "Amertoy" | | | | can reasonably be expected to live 12 years |
| has been coined in connection with the breed | | | | or more. Throughout the majority of those |
| as well and it's possible that one of these | | | | years, these dogs will remain happy, alert |
| names will become the official name if the | | | | and very active, especially if treated well |
| breed is ever formally recognized by the | | | | and given a healthy lifestyle. |
| remaining canine clubs. | | | | |
| | | | Their small size makes them ideal for |
| The Fox Terrier was bred for hunting. These | | | | apartment life. They're quite happy to get in |
| dogs would find foxes that had run to ground, | | | | their daily quota of exercise playing around |
| follow them into their hiding places and snap | | | | the living room and they're not big enough to |
| at them until they ran. The Toy Fox Terrier | | | | knock over tables and the like with their |
| retains many of the characteristics of their | | | | play. The fact that these dogs are so smart |
| ancestry, though the selective breeding and | | | | while requiring little outdoor exercise has |
| addition of some specific breeds has refined | | | | made them a recent addition to breeds used |
| some characteristics and features. | | | | for aiding the handicapped. Several reports |
| | | | indicate that Toy Fox Terriers have |
| The goal when establishing the Toy Fox | | | | successfully been trained to perform various |
| Terrier as a separate breed was a small dog | | | | tasks that are challenges for their owners, |
| that still had the traits of their tenacious | | | | including taking their deaf owners to the |
| and rambunctious ancestors. Those who choose | | | | source of a ringing telephone or doorbell. |
| these dogs say that someone forgot to inform | | | | |
| the Toy Fox Terrier that he's not nearly as | | | | These dogs are generally colored very much |
| large as his direct ancestors, the Fox | | | | like traditional Fox Terriers, with white |
| Terrier. As a rule, healthy adults weigh in | | | | coats and brown or black markings. The sheer |
| at five or six pounds, though variations of | | | | fact of their size makes them fragile, but |
| up to a couple of pounds have been known to | | | | they tend to be reasonably healthy dogs. Add |
| occur. Remember that the ancestors of these | | | | that to the sheer joy these dogs exhibit in |
| dogs were charged with the task of running | | | | their everyday lives and you've got the |
| fox from their hiding places. They had the | | | | recipe for a best friend, all wrapped up in |
| courage needed to accomplish this task and | | | | the tiny body of a Toy Fox Terrier. |