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Breed profile

Smooth Fox Terrier

Sleek, mostly white terrier with a sharp mind and a loud bark. Quick, playful and always ready to start something.

Smooth Fox Terrier with white body, tan head and tan saddle patch, standing in a park with one forepaw raised and tail up
Smooth Fox TerrierPhoto: Piotr Pietryka / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Weight
7–8 kg15–18 lb
Height
36–39 cm14–15 in
Lifespan
10–13 yrs
Group
Terrier
Origin
England
Popularity
#144 US#109 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsLow grooming

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Alert, Friendly, Fearless, Playful.

Health problems to know about

  • Primary lens luxation
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  • Patellar luxation
  • Deafness
  • Atopic dermatitis (skin allergies)

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Around an hour of exercise a day plus games that work the brain. A weekly brush keeps the short coat tidy. Secure fencing and steady recall work, as the chase instinct is strong.

A good fit for

Active families, town or country homes, and owners who enjoy a lively, clever dog.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with small pets, close neighbours who value quiet, and people wanting a dog that sheds little.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  2. FCI Standard No. 12: Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. PetMD: Smooth Fox Terrier
  4. PDSA: Fox Terrier

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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