The Toy Smooth Foxter is a new hybrid breed therefore we must look to the history of the parent dogs for clues to their development and characteristics. The Toy Fox Terrier has been around for a long time, probably the best part of a century where it was first known as a small working dog on the farm, used to control rats and vermin from the barns and grain storage. It was developed by breeding the smaller Smooth Fox Terriers with several other toy breeds to achieve the smaller stature. Breeds such as the Chihuahua and the Manchester Terrier were used to reduce the size of the breed. However, the breeders found that the characteristics of these smaller terriers were not a good fit for the dog they were trying to achieve, so they reverted to breeding only smaller Smooth Fox Terriers. The first Toy Fox Terriers were registered in England in 1936, and then in the United States of America in 2003. A typical terrier, the Toy Fox Terrier is popular as a companion dog but retains the strong hunting instincts of its working history and will chase after anything that moves. This toy sized version of the popular Fox Terrier has a dedicated group of followers, and is popular in the small dog category because of its feisty personality. The Smooth Fox Terrier is just a (slightly) larger version of the Toy Fox Terrier. It is one of the most ancient terrier type of dogs that originated in the British Isles in the 17th Century. Originally the Fox Terrier was developed by crossbreeding with the Dachshunds, and later the Fox Hound and the Beagle. The Smooth Fox Terrier was a working dog, enthusiastically eradicating rats, foxes and vermin that plagued the farmers stock. The Fox Terrier would find the animal in the ground, and would dig it out while barking and lunging at it to chase it out where the hunter could then kill it. The Fox Terrier came in two different styles of coat, the smooth hair and the wirehaired version and both were considered the same breed for many years. The hardier wirehaired dog was used in rough country where its tougher coat could withstand the climate. The Smooth Fox Terrier standard was established in 1876 which separated it from the wirehaired dogs. Debate still rages amongst dog clubs that it is still the same dog, just a variation of coat. But the American Kennel Club recognised the Smooth Fox Terrier in 1885. Known for their ability to hunt, track, and excel at agility and performing tricks, this attractive little dog is a popular companion and tough character with a big heart.
