The Toy Fox Terrier is both a Toy and a Terrier. He is diminutive and his characteristic traits are his elegant head, short glossy coat with a predominantly solid-colored head, and short, high-set tail. As a Terrier, the Toy Fox Terrier possesses courage, animation, and keen intelligence. As a Toy, he is diminutive and devoted, with endless abiding love for his master.
He is truly a blend of courage and animation.
TOY FOX TERRIER – SIZE MATTERS
Size is clearly addressed in the breed standard. Size is 81/2 inches to 111/2 inches; 9–11 is preferred, 81/2 to 111/2 is acceptable. The Toy Fox Terrier is square in proportion. Overall balance is important. A disqualification is any dog under 81/2 inches and over 111/2 inches. If you question the height, please use the wicket to verify. I have noticed some dogs in the ring that appear to have too much leg under them; thus, they appear to be out of proportion.
TOY FOX TERRIER – VIRTUES & FAULTS
A list of important virtues that should be considered when judging are: they are square in proportion; have smooth movement with good reach and drive; level topline; forequarters well-angulated; elegant head; neck erect; ears erect; hindquarters well-angulated; chest deep with well-sprung ribs; eyes that are full and round; coat shiny, fine, and smooth; feet small and oval with well-arched toes; and a scissors bite.
As well as important virtues, we do have faults to consider. Please keep these faults, derived from the breed standard, in mind when judging: a topline that is not level; apple head; lacking good Terrier attitude; tail not set high; excessive bone; eyes slanted or bulging; and color that extends below the elbow or hock.
TOY FOX TERRIER – A TABLE BREED
The Toy Fox Terrier is a table breed, and my suggestion is to check the bite last. The correct bite is scissors. The table exam needs to be quick, quiet, and done in a non-excitable manner. Ask the handler to show you the bite; and it is only the front that is to be checked.
The Toy Fox Terrier is a free-stacking breed, so try to avoid getting on the floor to stack them in a pose or hold the tail up.
When viewed in profile, ask yourself: Are they diminutive? Do they have a level topline? Are they squarely built? Does the neck fit smoothly into the shoulders? Do they have a high tail set? Are they balanced, have good angulation, and a medium stop?
TOY FOX TERRIER – COLORS DEFINED
There are four colors listed in the standard: Tri-Color; White, Chocolate and Tan; White and Tan; and White and Black. The standard gives us more detail that needs to be clearly understood: color shouldbe rich and clear; blazes are acceptable but cannot touch the eyes or ears; clear white is preferred, but a small amount of ticking is not to be penalized; and body spots must match the head color. A fault is color, other than ticking, that extends below the elbow or the hock. The standard mentions a slight fringe of tan alongside any body spots near the chest and under the tail as seen in normal bi-color patterning. It is necessary for all judges to look at the entire dog and view the color combination.
TOY FOX TERRIER – FAULTS & DISQUALIFICATIONS
Faults:
- Color, other than ticking, that extends below the elbow or the hock.
Disqualifications:
- Any dog under 81/2 inches or over 111/2 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 eyes or ears;
- Any color combination not listed in the standard;
- Any dog whose head is more than 50% white;
- Any dog whose body is not more than 50% white;
- Any dog whose head and body spots are of different colors.
Lately, several people have inquired, and have had questions, regarding the color section of the Toy Fox Terrier standard. I am happy to report that a committee has been appointed to review the overall standard and clarify the color section, and be certain that our illustrated standard is in accordance with the breed standard.
I hope this helps to describe our beautiful Toy Fox Terrier breed.
He is diminutive and his characteristic traits are his elegant head, short glossy coat with a predominantly solid-colored head, and short, high-set tail. As a Terrier, the Toy Fox Terrier possesses courage, animation, and keen intelligence. As a Toy, he is diminutive and devoted, with endless abiding love for his master.