Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first used for hunting of some sort and so came up as aggressive and lively), the Fox Terrier has a reputation for scampishness. That is, the breed with the challenging personality that has been identified throughout its history as being as foxy as the fox it was once used to hunt.
In fact, beginning in the 15th century, the smooth-haired Fox Terrier was favored by the British to go to ground for small game animals. By the 18th century»when the English made fox hunting the ideal sport, the hunt masters (the one assigned to kill the fox) chose terriers to be by their sides, though were dismayed that the terrier»s legs were too short to keep up with the foxhounds. This generated a great number of hunt kennels, where the smooth-haired Fox Terrier was bred, developed, and improved upon to meet the hunt masters» needs and standards.
Like the smooth Fox Terrier, the wire-haired Fox Terrier»a mid-18th century cross between the smooth Fox and the rough-haired Black and Tan Terrier»was used in the hunt for fox routing. Both varieties, with muscular, low-to-the-ground and compact bodies, were energetic and game breeds (varieties that became acknowledged as separate breeds, that is) that were the ideal foxers for another hundred years.
Then, in the early 1900»s, the attraction to both varieties/breeds took on a very different bent: the Smooth Fox Terrier was discovered by the general American public»in the 1920»s»on the logo for a recording company label, pictured listening to «his master»s voice.» And the Wire Fox Terrier was spotted»in 1934»playing the role of Asta, Nick and Nora»s impish pet in the Thin Man.
And the Fox Terrier personality (and reputation) was born. The Smooth Fox Terrier is still today lively, playful, and a little foxy. The Wire Fox, similarly, is full of peppery spunk and on the hunt for play at all times. This may, as some have decided, suggest a challenging way, but given both breeds» alertness, this also means they are great watchdogs and even better as pets for kids.
In fact, the Fox Terrier needs activity. So daily exercise and a small bit of space to romp are ideal elements in the Fox environment. Also ideal is an occasional bath for both the smooth, flat, and hard and dense coat of the Smooth and the dense, wiry, broken haired coat of the Wire; and frequent brushing to prevent what little amassing hair from the shedding that does occur.
The rest of the needs of the Smooth Fox terrier with staying powers that outlast the best fox and the Wire Fox Terrier with the hardy and cocksure personality are simple if you are up to it»if you are up to the antics of two terrier breeds that are always a surprise. Even to the Master.
