Fox Terrier (Smooth)

Developed in England during the 1800s from older black-and-tan terrier stock, the breed was refined to hunt alongside foxhound packs, its job being to go underground after a fox that had gone to earth and drive it back out. Breeders favoured a mostly white coat so the dog could be told apart from the fox in poor light, and a compact, flexible body that could fit down a den. The Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers were treated as a single breed with two coat types until they were split into separate breeds in the twentieth century.

Living with a Smooth Fox Terrier means living with a bold, busy, and often mischievous dog that retains strong prey drive and a talent for finding trouble if under-exercised. They are intelligent and trainable but can be stubborn and are not always reliable with small pets or unfamiliar dogs, reflecting their working background as solitary hunters rather than pack animals. The short, dense coat is low-maintenance, needing only occasional brushing.

Today the breed is kept mainly as a companion and show dog rather than a working terrier, though its terrier instincts remain intact. It suits owners who enjoy an active, characterful small dog and are prepared for firm, consistent training and secure fencing.