Th e neck length is approximately the same as the head but you don’t need to measure. Th is standard clearly describes overall balance with no one feature exag- gerated. A swan neck would be too weak to allow the TFT to snap the neck of a rodent in one swift shake. Topline is level wheth- er moving or standing. Th e Body tapers slightly from ribs to fl ank when viewed from above and has moderate tuck-up . It should not appear racy in outline, this is a terrier with substance. Th e chest is deep and muscular with well sprung ribs and deep brisket, reaching to the elbow. Th e Back is straight, level, and muscular and the Loin is short and strong. Th e Croup is also level with topline and well rounded. Th e Tail is set on high, held erect and in proportion to dog, meaning docked to the 3rd or 4th joint . Forequarters are well angulated but not overdeveloped meaning they are well muscled but not bulging. Th e forechest is well developed. Feet are small and oval with strong well-arched tight toes and deep pads . Hindquarters are strong and mus- cular , including the upper and lower thigh, which should be of good length . Weak underdeveloped rear quarters could be from “lack of conditioning” but in a dog as active as the TFT, that means the exhibit is not properly kept so…
A Toy Fox Terrier will always be hard and muscular if well bred and given even a short opportunity to exercise each day. Sti fl es are clearly de fi ned and well angu- lated so a steep rear with weak tendons is a serious genetic fl aw in a dog that has always earned its keep, or it indicates lack of care. Th e breed is not cowhocked. Period. Rear Dewclaws should be removed if present. Coat is shiny, satiny, fi ne in texture and smooth to the touch . It is not open, coarse or wiry. Th e ru ff and onto the neck and shoulders is slightly longer. Although the standard states it uniformly covers the body, it will be thinner on muzzle, inside of legs, and feet. Th e coat should feel as though the dog is snugly wrapped in satin. Color is usually tri-color but white and tan, black and white, and tri-color with chocolate in place of black is equally acceptable. Th e body is always over fi fty percent white regardless of the head col- or. Th e Tri-Color (black head or choco- late head) must have sharply de fi ned tan markings on cheeks, lips, and eye dots. Body spots (black, tan, or chocolate) should be rich and clear and of the same color as the head. Blazes are acceptable but may not touch the eyes or ears . Th e body should be clear white but a small amount of ticking is not penalized. Gait is smooth and fl owing , not minc- ing, not high stepping and most de fi nitely
not hackney. Th e front legs should reach well out in a straight line from shoulder to foot with no wasted motion or fl ipping of pasterns. Th e rear has strong drive as be fi ts a dog that is fi t and muscular enough to do the many tasks we have asked of him. Again, emphasis is on a lev- el straight topline and the head and tail carriage is erect. Temperament is intelligent but let’s face it, no standard calls for the dog to be a dullard. Th is standard spells it out. He learns new tasks easily, is eager to please, and adapts to almost any situ- ation. He is like other terriers and not easily intimidated so you can forgive a puppy for being a bit overwhelmed, but the adult should be self-possessed, spir- ited, determined . Th en, just to be sure you got the message, it warns that any dog lacking good terrier attitude and per- sonality is to be faulted. You will either like this spirited little dog, or you won’t. But what you must do is take time to learn what makes him a Toy Fox Terrier and how to weigh his many virtues and then make a commitment to judge him with his background and heri- tage in your mind. Feel free to judge him with pride in what Americans can do. He is among only a few breeds developed in this country and he takes a back seat to none!
276 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A PRIL 2014
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