TOY FOX TERRIER BREED CHARACTERISTIC TRAITS AND MORE
by Sharon Masnick
T he Toy Fox Terrier is both a Toy and a Terrier. He is di- minutive and his characteristic traits are his elegant head, short glossy coat with a predominantly solid-col- ored head, and short, high-set tail. As a Terrier, the Toy Fox Terrier possesses courage, animation, and keen intel- ligence. As a Toy, he is diminutive and devoted, with endless abiding love for his master. He is truly a blend of courage and animation. SIZE MATTERS Size is clearly addressed in the breed standard. Size is 8 1/2 inches to 11 1/2 inches; 9–11 is preferred, 8 1/2 to 11 1/2 is acceptable. The Toy Fox Terrier is square in proportion. Overall balance is important. A disqualification is any dog under 8 1/2 inches and over 11 1/2 inches. If you question the height, please use the wicket to verify. I have noticed some dogs in the ring that appear to have too much leg under them; thus, they appear to be out of proportion. VIRTUES & FAULTS A list of important virtues that should be considered when judging are: they are square in proportion; have smooth movement with good reach and drive; level topline; forequar- ters well-angulated; elegant head; neck erect; ears erect; hind- quarters well-angulated; chest deep with well-sprung ribs; eyes that are full and round; coat shiny, fine, and smooth; feet small and oval with well-arched toes; and a scissors bite. As well as important virtues, we do have faults to consider. Please keep these faults, derived from the breed standard, in mind when judging: a topline that is not level; apple head; lacking good Terrier attitude; tail not set high; excessive bone; eyes slanted or bulging; and color that extends below the el- bow or hock. A TABLE BREED The Toy Fox Terrier is a table breed, and my suggestion is to check the bite last. The correct bite is scissors. The table exam needs to be quick, quiet, and done in a non-excitable manner. Ask the handler to show you the bite; and it is only the front that is to be checked. The Toy Fox Terrier is a free-stacking breed, so try to avoid getting on the floor to stack them in a pose or hold the tail up. When viewed in profile, ask yourself: Are they diminutive?
“HE IS DIMINUTIVE AND HIS CHARACTERISTIC TRAITS ARE HIS ELEGANT HEAD, SHORT GLOSSY COAT WITH A PREDOMINANTLY SOLID-COLORED HEAD, AND SHORT, HIGH-SET TAIL. AS A TERRIER, THE TOY FOX TERRIER POSSESSES COURAGE, ANIMATION, AND KEEN INTELLIGENCE. AS A TOY, HE IS DIMINUTIVE AND DEVOTED, WITH ENDLESS ABIDING LOVE FOR HIS MASTER.”
26 • T op N otch T oys , J uly 2022
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