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