HISTORY
The Toy Fox Terrier is a true American Breed
developed by breeding small Smooth Fox Terriers with several toy
breeds including the Chihuahua and Manchester Terrier. Today, the
Toy Fox Terrier is a well-balanced toy dog of athletic appearance
displaying grace and agility in equal measure with strength and
stamina. From the hunt to the show ring, the Toy Fox Terrier has
become a cherished companion dog and excellent show piece. The Toy
Fox Terrier has shown that he is at home in conformation,
obedience and agility trials, his favorite spotlight is the center
stage of his owner's life. The Toy Fox Terrier is a toy and a
terrier, and both have influenced his personality and character.
While retaining the terrier gameness, courage and animation. The
cross-breeding with various toy breeds mentioned created a milder
disposition. Although easier to live with than many terriers, the
Toy Fox Terrier is still a working terrier, and many of them
delight in hunting and going to ground. Given the opportunity, the
Toy Fox Terrier will pursue the quarry of the backyard or barnyard
with diligence. Known to tree squirrels and flush out rodents, the
hunt is always welcome. Flyball or fetch are easily learned and
perfected for endless hours of activity. However, if you enjoy a
lap dog, this little companion appears to know the latest in
television entertainment of his household. Children especially
enjoy the unending energy and zeal for play throughout this dog's
life.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Toy Fox Terrier is truly a Toy and a Terrier
and both have influenced his personality and character. As a
Terrier, the TFT possesses keen intelligence, courage, and
animation. As a Toy, he is diminutive, and devoted with an endless
abiding love for his master. The Toy Fox Terrier is a
well-balanced Toy dog of athletic appearance displaying grace and
agility in equal measure with strength and stamina. His lithe
muscular body has a smooth elegant outline, which conveys the
impression of effortless movement and endless endurance. He is
naturally well-groomed, proud, animated and alert. Characteristic
traits are his elegant head; his short, glossy and predominantly
white coat coupled with predominantly solid head and his short
high-set tail.
SIZE, PROPORTION AND SUBSTANCE
Size: 8.5 - 11.5 inches, 9-11 inches
preferred, 8.5 - 11.5 acceptable. Proportion: The Toy Fox
Terrier is square in proportion, with height being approximately
equal to length with height measured from withers to ground and
length measured from point of shoulder to buttocks. Slightly
longer in bitches acceptable. Substance: Bone must be
strong, but not excessive and always in proportion to size.
Overall balance is important. Disqualification: Any dog
under 8.5 inches or over 11.5 inches.
HEAD
The head is elegant, balanced and expressive with
no indication of coarseness. Expression: is intelligent,
alert, eager and full of interest. Eyes: Clear, bright and
dark, including eye rims, with the exception of chocolates whose
eye rims should be self-colored. The eyes are full, round and
somewhat prominent, yet never bulging, with a soft intelligent
expression. They are set well apart, not slanted, and fit well
together into the sockets. Ears: The ears are erect,
pointed, inverted V-shaped, set high and close together, but never
touching. The size is in proportion to the head and body.
Disqualification: Ears not erect on any dog over six months of
age. Skull: is moderate in width, slightly rounded and
softly wedge-shaped. Medium stop, somewhat sloping. When viewed
from the front, the head widens gradually from the nose to the
base of the ears. The distance from the nose to the stop is equal
to the distance from the stop to the occipital. The cheeks are
flat and muscular, with the area below the eyes well filled in.
Faults: Apple head. Muzzle: Strong rather than fine, in
proportion to the head as a whole and parallel to the top of the
skull. Nose: Black only with the exception of self-colored
in chocolate dogs. Disqualification: Dudley nose. Lips:
are small and tight fitting. Bite: A full complement of
strong white teeth meeting in a scissors bite is preferred. Loss
of teeth should not be faulted as long as the bite can be
determined as correct. Disqualification: Undershot, wry
mouth, overshot more than 1/8 inch.
NECK, TOPLINE AND BODY
The neck is carried proudly erect, well set on,
slightly arched, gracefully curved, clean, muscular and free from
throatiness. It is proportioned to the head and body and widens
gradually blending smoothly into the shoulders. The length of the
neck is approximately the same as that of the head. The topline
is level when standing and gaiting. The body is balanced
and tapers slightly from the ribs to flank with length
approximately equal to height; females may be slightly longer. The
chest is deep and muscular with well-sprung ribs. Depth of chest
extends to the point of elbow. The back is straight, level
and muscular. Short and strong in loin with moderate tuck-up to
denote grace and elegance. The croup is level with the
topline and well rounded. The tail is set high, held erect
and in proportion to the size of the dog. Docked with to the 3rd
or 4th joint.
FOREQUARTERS
Forequarters are well angulated. The shoulder is
firmly set and has adequate muscle, but is not overdeveloped. The
shoulders are sloping and well laid back, blending smoothly from
neck to back. The forechest is well developed. The elbows are
close and perpendicular to the body. The legs are parallel and
straight to the pasterns, which are strong and straight while
remaining flexible. Feet are small and oval, pointing forward
turning neither in nor out. Toes are strong, well arched and
closely knit with deep pads.
HINDQUARTERS
Hindquarters are well angulated, strong, muscular
and free from droop or crouch. The upper and lower thighs are
strong, well muscled and of good length. The stifles are clearly
defined and well angulated. Hock joints are well let down and
firm. The rear pasterns are straight. The legs are parallel from
the rear and turn neither in nor out.
COAT
The coat is short, satiny, shiny, fine in texture
and smooth to the touch. It is slightly longer at the ruff,
uniformly covering the body.
COLOR
Tri-color: Predominantly black head with
sharply defined tan markings on cheeks, lips and eye dots. Body is
over fifty percent white with or without black body spots.
White, Chocolate and Tan: Predominantly chocolate head with
sharply defined tan markings on cheeks, lips and eye dots. Body is
over fifty percent white with or without chocolate body spots.
White and Tan: Predominantly tan head. Body is over fifty
percent white with or without tan body spots. White and Black:
Predominantly black head. Body is over fifty percent white with or
without black body spots. Color should be rich and clear. Blazes
are acceptable, but may not touch the eyes or the ears. Clear
white is preferred but a small amount of ticking is not to be
penalized. Body spots on black headed tri-colors must be black;
body spots on chocolate headed tri-colors must be chocolate; both
with or without a slight fringe of tan alongside any body spots
near the chest and under the tail as seen in normal bi-color
patterning. Faults: Color, other than ticking, that
extends below the elbow or the hock. Disqualifications: A
blaze extending into the eyes or ears. Any color combination not
stated above. Any dog whose head is more that fifty percent white.
Any dog whose body is not more than fifty percent white. Any dog
whose head and Body Spots are of different colors.
GAIT
Movement is smooth and flowing, with the legs
moving nearly parallel and in a line at a walk or slow trot. The
topline should remain straight and head and tail carriage erect
while gaiting. Movement is balanced and coordinated with good
reach and strong drive. Fault: Hackney gait.
TEMPERAMENT
The Toy Fox Terrier is intelligent, alert and
friendly, and completely loyal to their owners and protective of
them. He learns new tasks quickly, is eager to please, and adapts
to almost any situation. The Toy Fox Terrier, like other terriers,
is self-possessed, spirited, determined and not easily
intimidated. He is highly animated toy dog that is comical,
entertaining and playful all his life. Any individuals lacking
good terrier attitude and personality are to be faulted.
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Any dog under 8.5 inches or over 11.5 inches.
Ears not erect on any dog over six months of age.
Dudley nose.
Undershot, wry mouth overshot more than 1/8 inch.
A blaze extending into the eye or ears.
Any color combination not stated above.
Any dog whose head is more than fifty-percent white.
Any dog whose body is not more than fifty percent white.
Any dog whose head and body are of different colors.
Effective: April 1, 2002
Final Approval: August, 2003
Toy Fox
Terrier
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
Revised January 1, 1999
HISTORY
The immediate ancestor of the Toy Fox Terrier is the larger Smooth
Fox Terrier. The original Fox Terrier breed standard was written
in England in 1876. The size of the breed at that time was 18 to
20 pounds. Owners of these brave little dogs found that the
smallest, which they called "runts", were the scrappiest of the
bunch. These little dogs were prized for their temperament.
Smaller dogs were developed and eventually were found in the
seven-pound range. The United Kennel Club began registering the
Smooth Fox Terrier in 1912. Between then and the mid-1920's, the
Toy Fox Terrier was developed, being a miniature of the previous
breed, however they were still registered under the name of Fox
Terrier (Smooth). Those dogs appear almost identical to the dogs
of today. It was not until February 24, 1936, that U.K.C. began
registering the Toy Fox Terrier under its current name.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Toy Fox Terrier is small in size, with a body that is square
when viewed from the side. The length of the head, neck and legs
are in proportion to the length and depth of the body. The body is
compact, with the short tail carried upright. With a short, glossy
coat that is predominantly white, the appearance is elegant,
balanced and aristocratic. Highly intelligent, alert, loyal,
fearless and having much endurance, this small dog, above all, has
the conformation, characteristics and personality of a terrier.
CHARACTERISTICS
The Toy Fox Terrier is self-possessed, spirited and determined.
They are energetic, lively and strong for their size. They are not
easily intimidated by other pets. Most are comical, entertaining
and playful all of their life, which is generally long in
comparison to many other breeds. They are friendly and loyal to
their master or owners, yet protective. As a rule they are easily
trained and adapt to showing in conformation and obedience. Any
individuals lacking good terrier attitude and personality are to
be faulted.
HEAD
A typical head unmistakably stamps the dog as being of this breed.
The head is in proportion to the rest of the body. It resembles a
blunt wedge when viewed from both the front and in profile. When
viewed from the front, the head widens gradually from the black
nose to the base of the ears in practically an unbroken line. The
distance from the nose to the stop is equal to the distance from
the stop to the occiput. The skull is moderate in width and
slightly rounded. The skull and muzzle are both in proportion to
the length and overall size of the head. The muzzle tapers
gradually from the base of the ears to the nose. Medium stop;
somewhat sloping. The cheeks are flat and muscular, with the area
below the eyes well filled-in. Close-lying lips. Serious
Faults: Domed skull (apple head). Flat skull. Deep, sharp
stop. Shallow stop. Roman nose. Faults: Backskull or
foreskull too wide. Narrow muzzle. Wide muzzle. Short muzzle. Long
muzzle. Cheeks too bulgy or too flat. TEETH -- A full
complement of strong, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite is
preferred. An even bite is permissible. Loss of teeth should not
be faulted for a dog of any age as long as the bite can be
determined as correct. Faults: Overshot over 1/16 inch.
Puppy teeth retained after one year of age. EYES -- Dark in
color; as dark as possible being preferred. Clear and bright, with
a soft, intelligent expression. Globular, round, and somewhat
prominent, yet not bulging. They are set well apart and fit well
into the sockets. Faults: Light color. Too large or too
small. Protruding. Squinty. Dull. Set too wide apart. Set too
close together. Lack of expression. NOSE -- The nose is
black in color. Puppies are usually born with pink-colored noses,
which generally turn dark before or by weaning time. Faults:
Brown nose. Brownish tinge. Small pink or flesh-colored specks on
nose. EARS -- Pointed, inverted, V-shaped: placed well up
on the sides of the head. Close together, but never touching. The
inner base is on a level with the top of the skull. Always erect
when alert; carried erect in motion. The size is in proportion to
the size of the head and the overall size of the dog. Serious
Faults: Rounded. Set too wide apart. Low-set. Too large. Too
small. Flop ears.
NECK
The length of the neck is approximately the same as that of the
head and is in proportion to the body and size of the dog. The
neck widens gradually, blending smoothly into the shoulders. The
neck is clean and is slightly arched in a graceful curve.
Faults: Neck too short, too thick or with loose, excess
skin. Ewe neck. Goose neck.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders are sloping and well-laid-back (approximately at a
45 degree angle); blending smoothly from neck to back. FORELEGS
-- When viewed from the side, the forelegs are straight from the
elbows to the feet, which point forward. When viewed from the
front, the forelegs are some distance apart and drop straight from
the elbows to the feet. The elbows are close and perpendicular to
the body. The pasterns are strong and straight while remaining
flexible. Bone size is in proportion to the size of the dog.
Dewclaw removal is optional, but recommended. Faults:
Straight shoulders. Loaded shoulders. Steep shoulders. Down in
withers. Too far apart at withers. Out at elbows. Tied in elbows.
Down in pasterns. Bowed front.
BODY
In shape, the body appears square when viewed from the side, with
height approximately equal to length. The height is measured from
the highest point of the withers to the bottom of the front feet.
The length is measured from the prosternum (front point of the
shoulder - forechest) to the point of the buttocks. The body is
balanced and tapers slightly from the ribs to the flank, with an
evident, moderate tuck-up. The back is short and strong. The
backline is strong, straight and firm, blending smoothly from the
neck and shoulder to the tail. The chest is deep, with an
oval-shaped, well-sprung rib cage. The brisket extends to or just
above the elbows. The chest is in proportion and in balance with
the rest of the body. Serious Faults: Sway back. Roach
back. Sloping croup. Taller at hips than at withers. Taller at
withers than at hips. Short-bodied. Long-bodied. Too much or too
little tuckup. Lack of muscling. Muscle bound. Barrel-chested.
Narrow chest. Brisket too shallow or too deep. Pointed brisket
(when viewed from front.)
HINDQUARTERS
Strong and muscular; free of droop or crouch. The rump is
well-filled-in on each side of the tail. The hipbones are on a
level with or just below the back. Good width and depth at pelvis.
Good muscling over hips, blending smoothly down over the upper to
the lower thighs. Any male six months of age, or older, should
have two normal size testicles clearly visible and well-seated in
the scrotum. HIND LEGS -- The hind legs appear strong and
straight down to the feet. The upper and lower thighs are strong,
well-muscled and of good length. The stifles are clearly-defined
and well-angulated. The hocks are well bent. When viewed from the
rear, the stifles, hocks and feet are straight and parallel to
each other. Bone size is in proportion to the size of the dog. If
present, dewclaws are removed. Serious Faults: Sloping,
breaking off in rump. Narrow and/or shallow pelvis. Faults:
Hind legs lacking angulation or over-angulated. Hipbones above the
back level. Lack of muscle in hips and thighs. Too much muscle in
hips and thighs. Thighs too short or too long. Bow-hocked.
Cowhocked. Straight in stifle. Over-angulated stifle. Stifles
turning in or out. Legs too close together or too far apart.
FEET
The feet are oval in shape and compact, with arched toes and hard,
tough and well-cushioned pads. Faults: Round feet. Splayed.
Flat. Feet turned in or out.
TAIL
Set on high and on a level with the back. Carried gaily, above the
horizontal line of the back when the dog is in motion or at
attention; may be dropped when the dog is at ease. Docked with
approximately 2/5th of the full tail remaining; equivalent length
if a bobtail. Minimum length about one inch, maximum length about
three inches, for dogs six months of age or older. Serious
Faults: Tail curled. Tail carried straight over the back. Set
too low. Faults: Too short. Too long. Not carried gaily
when in motion.
COAT
A distinguishing feature of the breed, the coat is short, satiny
and shiny; fine in texture and smooth to the touch. It is slightly
longer at the ruff (back of neck and shoulder); uniformly covering
the body. The underline, inside of front legs, and lower part of
back legs are covered with at least a thin coat of hair. The skin
is firm but pliable.
Serious Fault: Wiry coat. Faults: Too long, too
coarse. Dry and dull. Too thin. Loose or non-pliable skin.
COLOR
White is the predominating body color. White is not the
predominating head color. Predominating to mean "more than half".
ACCEPTABLE COLORS & COLOR PATTERNS -- White and black
with tan trim. Black predominates on the head. The ears are
black on the back with a very narrow, black rim on the inner edge.
The tan trim is found on the cheeks and/or chops and as eye dots.
Face with or without a white blaze. A blaze may extend onto either
or both sides of the lower muzzle. White frost or tiny white spots
on the lower muzzle are acceptable. White is the predominating
body color, with or without black spots. Ticking is permitted to
some degree provided the white predominates and general good looks
are maintained. It is preferred that the black markings be free of
any tan or brown shadings or very small tan or brown spots, but
not faulted. White and Black Everything in regard to color
and markings are the same as above, except there is no tan trim.
White and Tan Tan predominates on the head. The ears are
tan on the back with a very narrow tan rim on the inner edge. Trim
is a lighter or darker shade of tan on the cheeks and/or chops and
eye dots, if visible. Face with or without a white blaze. The
blaze may extend onto either or both sides of the lower muzzle.
White frost or tiny white spots on the lower muzzle are
acceptable. The body is predominantly white, with or without tan
spots. Ticking is permitted to some degree provided the white
predominates and general good looks are maintained. It is
preferred that the tan markings be free of any black or brown
shadings or very small black or brown spots, but not faulted.
Faults: A wide blaze that extends up to the eyes. Black or tan
coloring, other than speckling (ticking) on the legs below the
wrist joint of the forelegs or the hock joint of the hind legs.
Any variation from that which is stated for the color and markings
in any color combination is a fault. In a White and Tan - tan
markings that are too red, chocolate- shaded or brindled.
WEIGHT
Dogs six months of age or older must weigh from three-and-one-half
up to, and including, seven pounds.
GAIT
Movement is smooth and flowing, with the legs moving straight,
parallel and in a line at a walk or slow trot, with the back
straight and the head and tail up. There is balance and
coordination with good reach in the front and good drive from the
rear. Movement is used to evaluate gait and to evaluate the parts
involved in gait, therefore the points allotted to movement are
included when considering all the dog's structural parts involved.
In gaiting, the stifles, hocks and feet should turn neither in nor
out, and the hind legs should move in line with the front legs.
Serious Fault: Hackney gait.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Extreme viciousness or
shyness. Undershot bite. Overshot bite of more than 1/8 inch. Wry
mouth. Liver colored nose. Dudley nose. No tail. Dogs of any age
over seven pounds. Any dog six months of age or older weighing
less than three-and-one-half pounds. Ears not erect on any dog
over six months of age. Any solid-colored dog. Maltese or
chocolate markings. Any color combination in which white is not
the predominant body color. Any color combination other than
stated combinations. In any color combination, any dog whose head
is more than half white. Any dog whose head and/or ear color and
body spots are of different colors.
|
SCALE OF POINTS |
|
Head
Neck
Shoulders
Chest, Ribs, Underline (tuck up)
Back and Loin
Hindquarters (hips, croup, pelvis and thighs)
Tail (set and carriage)
Forelegs and Hind legs
Coat & Color
Characteristics, Attitude and Temperament
(anything else to complete the 'total' dog) |
20
5
10
10
10
10
5
10
10
10 |
|
Total |
100 |
