JUDGING THE TOY FOX TERRIER TOY FOX TERRIER Judging the
BY SUSAN B. THIBODEAUX
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 elegant. The breed standard states that they have an athletic appearance, displaying grace and agility. Characteristic traits that should be immediate- ly evident are the elegant and distinctive head, the erect, inverted V-shaped ears, the short, glossy and predominantly white coat with the predomi- nantly solid head, and the short, high tail set—which the standard calls for as docked. This is a square breed; bone is strong, but not excessive, and the stan- dard tells us that 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. This influences their behavior in your ring. Dogs lacking good Terrier attitude and personality are to be faulted. It’s often stated, “Examine on the table 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, understand that their natural alertness and intel- ligence may have the dogs focusing on things other than their handler. This is a breed that is self-possessed, spirited, and often highly animated. How- ever, as many Toy Fox Terriers are extremely food motivated, they may also focus on the bait—both the handler’s bait 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. Instead, stand a few feet away to check the outline. Proportions and silhou- ette that might be skewed in the grass or when standing over such small dogs is often easier to ascertain when the dog is on the table. Like many Toy breeds, young and less experienced Toy Fox Terriers are often uncomfort- able with the table exam. Approach the Toy Fox Terrier from the front. It is often a good idea to say hello or good morning to the exhibitor in a friendly tone, but refrain from making “puppy talk” to the dog. Overly enthusiastic puppies will try to jump into judge’s arms; some less confident puppies 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 the bite. There is no disqualification or fault for 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 ⅛ inch are disqualifications.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2021 | 281
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