THE TOY FOX TERRIER
BY SHERYL IRWIN
T he Toy Fox Terrier is an American breed that was developed by dog fanci- ers in the 1930s. It is said that this was achieved by crossing “runt” Fox Terriers with Toy breeds such as the Miniature Pinscher, Italian Grey- hound, and Chihuahua to create a diminutive dog while retaining Terrier gameness, courage, and animation. Relatively new to the AKC, the Toy Fox Terrier was only accepted as Foundation Stock in 2001 and became eligible to fully participate in conformation events in 2003. Since that time there has been a significant improvement in the overall quality of the TFT. Limited only by height parameters (and not restricted by weight) allowed breed- ers to develop a dog with both strong bone and good substance, even in those dogs at the higher end of the breed standard for height. Tall, willowy TFTs on spindly legs are seldom seen in the AKC show ring anymore. The Toy Fox Terrier displays his Terrier-like, self-possessed and spirited attitude as he enters the show ring with both his head and tail carried erect. His smooth and flowing move- ment, coupled with good reach and strong drive, shows no hint of a bounce or hackney gait. A properly moving Toy Fox Terrier literally owns the ground he walks on. He is a well-balanced, athletic little dog with his grace and agility equaled to his strength and stamina. He’s all about Structure and Movement! While the TFT is a natural “show-off” and enjoys strutting his stuff in the show ring, he does not necessarily like the table—and this should be understood by the judge. The first step in making this a positive experience for both the dog and the judge is to give the dogs some space. In an effort to avoid the dog being crowded and stepping back from the judge, the exhibitor can set the dog slightly further back on the table, leaving plenty of room for the judge to approach and conduct the examination. Many exhibitors train their show dogs to move into different positions by using a “crowding their space” maneuver, so it’s only natural to expect the dog to react if crowded. The next step is to keep in mind that the judge is checking for a scissors bite, which can easily be determined by examination of the front and both sides of the teeth, without even opening the mouth. There is no need to count teeth since missing teeth are not to be faulted. The TFT is examined on the table with gentle and confident hands, judged on the floor, and know that the happy little dog you see on the ground may not be so inclined to give you ears and tails up when he’s on the table.
The Toy Fox Terrier is not a cookie cutter breed, and this is not a bad thing as long as each style is within the breed standard. There can be significant stylistic differences from breeder to breeder, region to region, and coast to coast. One of the many wonderful things about these delightful little terriers is that there’s something
284 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2021
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