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Breed profile

Toy Fox Terrier

A toy's size with a terrier's spark. Quick to learn, fond of a joke and easy to fit into a small home.

Tricolour Toy Fox Terrier standing on grass with ears pricked
Big ears, small body, terrier attitude.Photo: Terry Best / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Weight
2–4 kg4–9 lb
Height
22–29 cm9–11 in
Lifespan
13–15 yrs
Group
Toy
Origin
United States
Popularity
#106 USNot ranked in UK · 2025

Known for: Flat-friendlyLow groomingEasy to train

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Lively, Clever, Loyal, Playful.

Health problems to know about

  • Patellar luxation
  • Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease
  • Von Willebrand disease
  • Demodectic mange

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

Daily care

Daily walks plus play, and a coat in cold weather. Minimal grooming. Short, fun training sessions.

A good fit for

Flats, older owners, first-time owners who want a bright, trainable small dog.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with toddlers, owners wanting a placid lap dog, households with pet rodents.

Sources

  1. American Kennel Club: Toy Fox Terrier
  2. PetMD (vet-reviewed): Toy Fox Terrier
  3. Wikipedia: Toy 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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