by Susan Thibodeaux JUDGING THE TOY FOX TERRIER
T he Toy Fox Terrier is a playful and pretty dog to have in your ring and exhibitors hope that the judges like the breed as much as they do. However, this is not always an easy breed to show and if you have a sense of humor and patience you can help make the experience fun for all. Your first impression of the Toy Fox Terrier should be balanced and el- egant. The breed standard states they have an athletic appearance display- ing grace and agility. Characteristic traits which should be evident im- mediately are the elegant and distinc- tive head, erect, inverted V shaped ears, short, glossy and predominantly white coat with the predominantly solid head and the short high tail set which the standard calls for docked. This is a square breed; bone is strong but not excessive and the standard tells us overall balance is important. The word balance is used a number of times throughout the standard as is the word elegant. The Toy Fox Terrier is both Toy and Terrier and both have influenced his personality and character. They have unending energy and a zest for life. These influence their behavior in your ring. Dogs lacking good Ter- rier attitude and personality are to be faulted. It’s often stated examine on the ta- ble and judge on the floor. These are true words for the Toy Fox Terrier.
This diminutive dog’s character and personality are best displayed on the floor. When the Toy Fox Terrier is first presented in the ring, under- stand their natural alertness and in- telligence may have them focusing on things other than their handler. This is a breed which is self-possessed, spirited and often highly animated. However, as many Toy Fox Terriers are extremely food motivated, they may also focus on the bait—both the handler’s and the bait on the floor. If there is excessive bait strewed around the ring, you will be well served to ask the steward or a ring clean up crew to pick it up or you might see more duck- ing and diving than good movement. After you have sent the dogs around and the first dog is on the table, give the exhibitor a moment to get their dog ready. Don’t rush to the table, but stand a few feet away to check the out- line. Proportions and silhouette that might be skewed in the grass or stand- ing over such small dogs is often easi- er to ascertain when the dog is on the table. Like many toy breeds, young and less experienced Toy Fox Terri- ers are often uncomfortable with the table exam. Approach the Toy Fox Terrier from the front. It is often a good idea to say hello or good morn- ing to the exhibitor in a friendly tone but refrain from making puppy talk to the dog. Overly enthusiastic pup- pies will try to jump into judge’s arms,
some less confident will sway away from the judge and it normally takes a bit of ring experience and maturity before a Toy Fox stands like a statue for a judge’s exam. With the short, satiny coat it doesn’t take a lot of manhandling to check the structure on this breed. Gentle hands are needed to do the exam. After you have examined the dog, ask the exhibitor to show you the bite. It’s not a disqualification or fault to have missing teeth per the Toy Fox Terrier standard so the oral exam should be a quick and easy review to ensure it is scissors. Undershot, wry mouth or overshot more than 1 / 8th inch are disqualifications. While the dog is on the table is a good time to review if there are any size or color disqualifications. Toy Fox Terri- ers must be between 8 ½ an 11 ½ inch- es with 9-11 preferred. Over or under the acceptable range must be disqual- ified. We often see 11 inch dogs wick- eted when the other exhibits are on the small end of the scale and 9 inch tall dogs wicketed when everyone else in the ring is hovering near 11. Do not be afraid to call for the wicket if you question the dogs’ size, but be aware that 3 inches in a toy breed is a size- able variation and that the only pref- erence is not larger or smaller but 9 to 11 inches. Be aware of color requirements. The standard calls for a body that is a
54 • T op N otch T oys , J uly 2019
Powered by FlippingBook