Appearance
The Smooth Fox Terrier is an active, lively dog with a short white coat and black or brown markings. They are small but strong and powerful with well-defined muscles - qualities necessary in the world of fox hunting. The skull is flat and tapering and the ears fold forward in a V. The eyes are small, deep set and dark in color. The head is wedge shaped and chiseled, the neck strong. The tail is customarily docked to ¾ length and stands upward. The coat, as the name suggests, is smooth and lays flat against the body.
Size and Weight
Adult males should not stand higher than 15.5 inches at the shoulder and females should not stand higher than 12 inches. In proper proportion, this means males should weigh about 18 pounds, and females, 16. Weight standards allow for a one inch deviation in either direction, as long as the dog's weight is in proportion.
Coat and Color
Smooth Fox Terriers wear a smooth, hard, dense coats that sheds very little. They should be predominately white and can have black, tan or black and tan markings. The head of the dog is usually solid colored but markings on the face are acceptable. Show dogs should never be brindle, red, or liver. Some breeders may contend these colors are rare and charge a premium. This is untrue. These colors are not rare, and will cause a show dog to be disqualified. These colors, however, have no bearing on the health or temperament of the dog.
Grooming Needs
The coat of the Smooth Fox Terrier should be brushed once per week with a firm brush to keep the coat in neat condition. They only require bathing as needed, and when the coat is properly maintained with regular brushing, baths are rarely required.
Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and fight gum disease. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear the toenails down naturally.