The Fox Terrier Toy is a small terrier breed of dog, directly descended from the larger Fox Terrier but considered a separate breed.
Appearance
The Fox Terrier Toy is a small dog with a muscular and athletic appearance. The breed has been deemed elegant and graceful with V-shaped ears and large eyes. The tail can be short and straight, and breeders often shorten the tail a few days after birth by clipping it about halfway from the tip. The coat is short, fine, and glossy in white with black; there are two other variants, one with 'chocolate' replacing the black in areas, and another which is all white and tan with no black at all. These variants are often known as 'Tri-Color', 'Chocolate', and 'Tan and White', respectively. The average height is about 8 inches (20 cm) and weight is 3.5-7 pounds (1.5-3 Kg).
Temperament
The Fox Terrier Toy is often recognized as an intelligent, bold and athletic dog. Although lithe, they are hardy and well balanced. Fox Terrier Toys love human company. A related breed is the Miniature Fox Terrier, which was developed along similar lines in Australia.
Fox Terrier Toys, like many active and intelligent breeds, can learn to respond to a number of words. Fox Terrier Toys were used commonly in circus shows by clowns, and they are said to make great companions for owners with a good sense of humor. They are also, in general, not as active as the Jack Russell Terrier and are well suited for older owners. They are extremely trainable and are cited as making a wonderful companion for people with disabilities.