Welsh Toy Fox Terrier

The Welsh Toy Fox is a recent hybrid breed, so little history is known about it specifically. However, the Toy Fox Terrier has just over a century of established history and the Welsh Terrier has over three times that. Although there is limited documented history of the Welsh Terrier, it is believed that they originated as early as the late 1700s as a relative to the now-extinct Old English Black-and-Tan Terrier but the first written accounts extend as far back as 1450. Because of it, they are not only considered one of the oldest breeds in the United Kingdom still in existence, but are also only one of two breeds thought to originate in Wales. They were originally bred by farmers to hunt and rid their land otters, foxes, badgers and other small-to-medium sized prey and their courageous character still shows today. In the late 1800s, the breed was finally recognized by the English Kennel Club and by 1900, the Welsh Terrier Club of America was founded. While they are generally a highly distinguishable breed thanks to their coat color and look, they are considered endangered as only a few hundred are registered with the American Kennel Club annually. Toy Fox Terriers, on the other hand, may have a history limited to just over a hundred years, but they are one of very few breeds who can claim to be truly All-American. They are noted to be descendants of a Smooth Fox Terrier named Foiler, the first Fox Terrier to be recognized by the English Kennel Club around 1885. It is believed that since then, the Smooth Fox was mixed with toys breeds such as the Manchester Terrier and the Chihuahua to create a more compact figure with a classic Terrier personality -- lively, rugged and virtually fearless. The results were exactly that and nearly 100 years after they began their slow transformation, the American Kennel Club recognized them in 2003.