Toy Fox Terrier
Small American terrier combining a lively working heritage with a companion-sized build.
| Size | Weight | Height | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | 4 - 9 lbs | 8 - 12 inches | 13 - 15 years |
| (These are estimates and may vary.) | |||
Origin: United States
Own a Toy Fox Terrier? Share what activities they enjoy to help other dog owners.
Select up to 5 Activities
Know a Toy Fox Terrier? Share their personality traits to help other dog owners.
Select up to 5 traits
May be a good fit if you:
- Want a dog that is generally responsive to consistent, positive training.
- Are a first-time dog owner looking for a relatively approachable breed.
- Want a breed that tends to adapt well to apartment living.
Things to consider:
- This breed may not do well when left alone for long periods.
The Toy Fox Terrier is an American breed developed by selectively breeding smaller Smooth Fox Terriers and incorporating other small companion breeds. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, farmers valued little fox terriers as ratters because they could quickly eliminate rodents around barns and homes. Breeders gradually selected the smallest examples, while ancestry from breeds such as the Manchester Terrier, Chihuahua, and Italian Greyhound helped shape the compact dog that emerged. Unlike many toy breeds created solely for companionship, the Toy Fox Terrier retained genuine working-terrier instincts. Its intelligence and agility also made it popular with travelling circuses, where the dogs learned tricks and performed for audiences. This combination of terrier drive and trainability became a defining feature of the breed. The United Kennel Club recognized the Toy Fox Terrier in 1936, while the American Kennel Club granted recognition in 2003. Despite its small size and polished appearance, the modern breed still tends to be alert, quick, and interested in chasing small animals. Its history explains its unusual position between two canine worlds: it has the manageable size and close attachment of a toy companion while retaining much of the confidence, prey drive, and physical energy of a traditional working terrier.