Smooth Fox Terrier
短毛獵狐㹴
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Smooth Fox Terrier is the original fox terrier — the first variety recognised — a short-backed, V-headed, mostly white hunter that rode in the huntsman's saddlebag and was released when the fox went to ground, and later the mascot listening to 'His Master's Voice'. Smooths are independent, friendly and amusing: bold but not aggressive with people, alert and 'on the tiptoe of expectation', excellent watchdogs with a 5/5 barking score, lively, cheerful and funny — but liable to dig up the garden, to run off after any adventure and sometimes to grow jealous of other dogs, cats or small pets. They need ample exercise, a fenced garden or a lead, a terrier-savvy trainer, and only a weekly brush of the hard, dense coat.
Facts
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Height | 38–39cm |
| Weight | 6.8–8.2kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: terrier FCI: 3 |
| Role | Terrier |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–120min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 5/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 2/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Behaviour
'On the tiptoe of expectation'
The AKC says Smooth Fox Terriers are bold but not aggressive towards people, alert and 'on the tiptoe of expectation', and excellent watchdogs — lively, cheerful and funny, equally at home in city or country — but warns new owners that the innate urge to dig may affect the garden, that they will eagerly run off after any adventure, and that some mature to become jealous or aggressive towards other dogs, cats or small pets, so puppy classes with a sensible, terrier-savvy trainer are highly recommended; its trait chart scores barking and protective nature 5/5. The CKC calls the Smooth generally happy and lively, a challenging house pet that is always ready for a bit of fun.
Ample exercise, never off lead
The AKC says the Smooth, like most terriers, is lively and athletic and needs ample exercise — long walks with its owner, chasing a tennis ball in the garden or playtime in a large, securely fenced area — and must never be allowed off lead, because it is likely to take off after any small animal it perceives as prey; the hard, dense coat needs only a weekly brush, bathing as needed after a hole in the mud. The CKC says the Smooth is active by nature and relishes action, suiting city or country provided it gets its daily walk; the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to 1 hour a day.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 5/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Smooth Fox Terrier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Fox Terrier Smooth (Terriers)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Fox Terrier Smooth
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Fox Terrier Smooth (standard no. 12, group 3)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's 'Finding a Fox Terrier' page — which covers Smooths and Wires alike — describes outgoing, alert, active dogs bred as independent hunters: lively, cheerful and funny, very affectionate and companionable, and in one breeder's words a 200-pound dog trapped in an 18-pound body, happy to play hard or to sleep all night on your bed. It says Fox Terriers are more independent than herding, retrieving or working breeds and so more of a challenge to train, though not untrainable; that they are traditionally excellent playmates for children who are taught kindness and respect, though some are irritated by the noise of small children; that two males will almost never be compatible and two females rarely, that they are usually not suited to living with toy breeds, and that peace with cats is not guaranteed in a dog bred to hunt small vermin. Fox Terriers from reputable breeders, it says, are extremely healthy and hardy; its health page points buyers to the CHIC requirements.”
— American Fox Terrier Club — Finding a Fox Terrier via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Smooth Fox Terrier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Fox Terrier Smooth — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Fox Terrier Smooth — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Fox Terrier Smooth — FCI standard no. 12 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Finding a Fox Terrier — American Fox Terrier Club — American Fox Terrier Club (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.