JUDGING THE TOY FOX TERRIER
by KELLEY MALDON, former ATFTC Judges Education Chair
T he Toy Fox Terrier is a small Terrier that ranges in size from 8 ½ " to 11 ½ ". They are the epitome of a big dog in a small package. Their personality and temperament should reflect Terrier courage and animation. They should have grace, elegance and agility all dis- played in equal measures that balance and compliment the total dog. Type and temperament are embod- ied in a well-balanced, square package of Terrier attitude that moves forward with grace, elegance, gusto and style. The body is balanced with the length approximately equal to the height. The length is measured from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks with the height being measured from the withers to the ground. Substance should be substantial but not overdone for the size of the dog. Although the AKC breed standard makes no mention of the correct weight for a Toy Fox Terrier, the original UKC breed standard that was the blue print for the breed does. It states a dog of correct size should weigh between 3 ½ and 7 lbs. The UKC standard goes so far as to disqualify a dog that does not fall within this size range. Toy Fox Terriers are both “Toys” and “Terriers”.
The Toy Fox Terrier’s characteristic traits are his elegant head, square ath- letic body with a short tail set on high, and his short, satiny and predominant- ly white coat (with or without body spots). He is naturally well-groomed, proud, animated and alert. The head is elegant, balanced and expressive with no indication of coarse- ness. The distance from the nose to the stop is equal to the distance from the stop to the occipital point. The skull is slightly rounded but never domed or apple headed. The expression is intelli- gent, alert and full of interest. The eyes are round and dark, set well apart and fitting well into the sockets. The ears are high set, close together and balance with the size of the head and the body. When moving the backline is level and flat in motion as the little dog dou- ble tracks in a straight line with slight convergence at a trot. The movement is balanced and coordinated with good reach and strong drive. Any resem- blance to a hackney gait is to be faulted. His lithe muscular body has a smooth elegant outline which moves forward effortlessly. Movement should be judged on a loose lead. The dog should never be strung up nor should he run around the ring at lightning speed.
“TYPE AND TEMPERAMENT ARE EMBODIED IN A WELL-BALANCED, SQUARE PACKAGE OF TERRIER ATTITUDE THAT MOVES FORWARD WITH GRACE, ELEGANCE, GUSTO AND STYLE.”
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