Page 19 - ShowSight Presents - The Toy Fox Terrier

THE TOY FOX TERRIER
The TFT has the viva- ciousness of the Min- iature Pinscher and the keenness of the Toy Manchester but he is decidedly different. Here
are some things that make him uniquely Toy Fox Terrier. Words or phrases in bold are direct quotes from the Standard and within context.
The AKC Toy Fox Terrier Standard says he has terrier attributes but reminds us that he is “diminutive” and like all Toys, he has an “endless abiding love for his master.” We know terriers love their fam- ily but let’s admit it, terriers may dawdle a bit when there’s an interesting sound in the bushes or another dog to be checked out.
Like the Chihuahua (one of his admit- ted genetic contributors) when called, the TFT will stop whatever he’s doing and race as fast as his sturdy legs can carry him, straight into the arms or lap of his owner. He’s a perfect blend of the “courage
and animation” so prized in the terrier, and the ever-attentive, eager to please, gentler personality of the toy dog companion.
Size is addressed in the AKC standard. Throughout his history (one of only three breeds in early UKC conformation), the Toy Fox Terrier has always been weighed in or out. The AKC standard keeps size down by measuring out dogs over 111⁄2 inches while demanding they be at least 81⁄2 inches tall. One thing this does is prevent breeders from trying to breed or show “tea cups”. This dog is square in proportion as is the dog on the above right, but you will see many that are way too long, and if judges forgive the slightly longer in male dogs, we’ll see even more long-bodied TFTs.
The bone must be strong and although breeders have done will with it, there is a problem known as brittle bone syndrome. Some other breeds may have brittle bones but they don’t think they are superman and are not given to leaping off tall build- ings as is this fearless little fox terrier.
By Barbara (BJ) Andrews Excerpts from her Judges Seminar
Head is elegant but the muzzle is strong rather than fine. While there should be no indication of coarseness, we must remember the history is that of a working terrier. That is also why under Bite we are told he must have a full complement of strong white teeth.. not tiny, poorly-root- ed “toy” teeth. The eyes are dark, includ- ing eye-rims, with the exception of chocolates. The eyes are round, not oval as in the Min Pin. They should be full... and somewhat prominent and set well apart. Eyes are never bulging. The soft intelli- gent expression is definitely not the hard- bitten or stern expression seen in many ter- riers. Ears are confusing to some but two things will keep you on track. First, they should be right up on top of the head, high and close together, but never touching. Ears size is in proportion to the head and body. As in most breeds, no exception is made for pups of show age. The ears must be erect.
The skull is moderately wide and only slightly rounded. It is softly wedge shaped and the standard further explains that when view from the front, the head widens gradually right to the base of the ears. When viewed in profile, the medium stop is not abrupt, it is somewhat slop- ing. The head is in equal proportion from nose to stop and from stop to occiput and should be in equal balance whether seen from front or profile and it should be in proportion to the dog. This head study exemplifies proper stop, ratio, proportion, strength, shape and ear size and placement. An apple head is faulty. Muzzle is paral- lel to top of skull and strong enough to grasp a varmit. Lips are small and tight. Bite is preferred full and complete with strong white teeth that meet in a scissors. Lost teeth should not to be faulted as long as the bite is correct.
Neck is proudly erect, arched, curved, muscular, and should not be throaty. In fact, this is a dog that fills up his supple skin so there should be no wrinkles anywhere.
Photo by Holloway
272 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2014