Breed library

Smooth Fox Terrier

Smooth Fox Terrier photograph.
Patrick the Smooth Fox Terrier.jpg - Virginia M. O'Connor (uploaded by Tialin). CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Patrick_the_Smooth_Fox_Terrier.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a breed of dog, one of many terrier breeds. It was the first breed in the Fox Terrier family to be given official recognition by The Kennel Club (circa 1875; breed standard 1876). It is well known, and although not a widely popular breed today outside hunting and show circles, it is extremely significant due to the large number of terriers believed descended from the breed.

  • Breed classification: Fox TerrierBreed reference breed group.
  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: United KingdomBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Smooth Fox Terrier's development as a breed is largely undocumented, but the dog has been known as a distinct breed in England since at least the 18th century; the first documented evidence of the Smooth Fox Terrier came in 1790, when a Colonel Thornton painted a portrait of his dog, Pitch.
  • The Smooth Fox Terrier is a breed of dog, one of many terrier breeds.
  • The Smooth Fox Terrier entered the show ring during the mid-19th century, making it one of the earliest entrants in such events.
  • The American Kennel Club recognized the Fox Terrier in 1885; one hundred years later, the Smooth Fox Terrier was recognized as being a distinct breed from the Wire Fox Terrier.
  • Conventional wisdom long held that the Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are variations of the same breed; in recent years, however, an increasing number of experts have stated the opinion that the two breeds are not related at all.

Size and appearance

The historical account describes a preference for visible white coats during fox hunting, so that the terrier could be distinguished from the fox. This source does not provide a complete current size-and-color standard; the verified parent club is the appropriate further reference.

  • Body mass reference: Up to 7.5 kgBreed reference body mass. female, maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 7 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. female, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: 7.5 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. male, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 8 kgBreed reference body mass. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: Up to 39 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Weight category: small

Personality and behavior

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a highly energetic dog, and thus not recommended for first time dog owners. As the breed was originally bred to go after small animals, they also have a high prey instinct, they are very friendly dogs and do not mind strangers if introduced and exposed to people from a young age. Without appropriate early exposure, however, loud barking may ensue.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

The Smooth Fox Terrier's development as a breed is largely undocumented, but the dog has been known as a distinct breed in England since at least the 18th century; the first documented evidence of the Smooth Fox Terrier came in 1790, when a Colonel Thornton painted a portrait of his dog, Pitch.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  3. File:Patrick the Smooth Fox Terrier.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Patrick the Smooth Fox Terrier.jpg - Virginia M. O'Connor (uploaded by Tialin). CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Patrick_the_Smooth_Fox_Terrier.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
  4. Smooth Fox Terrier - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Smooth Fox Terrier, revision 1366071834. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smooth_Fox_Terrier&action=history
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.