Smooth Jafox -- Fox Terrier Smooth X Japanese Spaniel

		Smooth Jafox
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain X China -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Smooth Jafox

The Smooth Jafox is the result of crossing a Fox Terrier Smooth with a Japanese Spaniel. The result is a lively little dog that makes an ideal companion. The genes of the Japanese Spaniel temper the independent character of the Fox Terrier Smooth, making the Smooth Jafox a more easy-going dog by nature, devoted to the family and less hyperactive, taking the time to sit and snuggle in your lap if possible. He tends to chase birds or butterflies. If you have a garden, make sure it's well fenced. Although appearance can vary considerably from litter to litter, this is an attractive, lively and proud dog who loves to play. The Smooth Jafox has inherited an ability to climb almost like a cat, you'll often find him perched on the high back of the sofa, and he's light and graceful on his feet. These dogs are friendly with other animals and get on well with older children. This is not to say that they dislike small children, but they can be sensitive to the rapid movements and loud noises that characterize small people and can become stressed. They are highly intelligent dogs, quick to learn. Their natural tendency to please can sometimes give way to a certain stubbornness, a genetic trait derived from the Fox Terrier Smooth. But all in all, these are fun-loving, friendly and sociable dogs that make ideal family companions.

History of the Smooth Jafox

The Smooth Jafox is a new breed of hybrid dog. There's little information available on its development, so to find out its history, we have to turn to its parent breeds, the Fox Terrier Smooth and the Japanese Spaniel.

	A little of the Fox Terrier Smooth
	The origins of the Fox Terrier Smooth go back to England in the 18th century. Back then, any dog fast enough and small enough to drive a fox from its hole or burrow was called a Terrier. Hunters didn't care what type of Terrier they used, as long as it did its job. These small hunting Terriers were often carried in a special bag carried by the Terrier man. In other hunts, Terriers followed the larger hounds and were brought in as and when they were needed to flush out the fox. The Fox Terrier Smooth excelled as a hunting dog, not only for foxes, but also for hunting and retrieving birds, and even stalking deer. Full of enthusiasm and independent nature, the Fox Terrier Smooth is recognized the world over as a sporting Terrier. Today, this feisty little dog excels as a hobby dog and has added circus work to its portfolio. Intelligent, agile, active and affectionate, the Fox Terrier Smooth is a dog that will suit an active family.

	Standard of the Fox Terrier Smooth


	A little of the Japanese Spaniel
	The Japanese Spaniel is an ancient breed of toy dog that is thought to have evolved from the Tibetan Spaniel. In some ancient pottery finds and Chinese temples, a dog closely resembling the Japanese Spaniel has been depicted. Originally from China, these little dogs were very popular with the royal family, and it was said that the Chinese emperor gave a pair to the Japanese emperor. Although the history of this noble little dog is not very detailed, the earliest European records date back to the 1600s. They indicate that Princess Catherine of Braganza received Japanese Spaniels as a special gift from the Portuguese sailors who were visiting her at the time. Queen Victoria also received a pair of Japanese Spaniels from Admiral Commodore Perry after his warships visited Japan. The Japanese Spaniel was almost destroyed during the First World War, as they were either killed in the war or lost their owners and starved to death. Japanese earthquakes only exacerbated its demise, as the breed struggled to survive natural and human disasters. When the first Japanese Spaniels arrived in America, at an unknown date, they were called Japanese Chin, but in 1977, this little dog was finally recognized as a Japanese Spaniel by the American Kennel Club. A true survivor, this sweet-tempered little dog has returned to popularity, making such an affectionate and adaptable companion.

	Standard of the Japanese Spaniel

Appearance of the Smooth Jafox

The appearance of the Smooth Jafox can vary considerably depending on the dominant genetic influence of one or other of the parent dogs. First of all, the coat can vary from smooth and short to soft and long with feathering on the legs and tail, thanks to the Japanese Spaniel. Small in size, it has a well-proportioned, almost box-shaped body, with short legs, unless it inherits the long, slender legs of the Fox Terrier Smooth. Even the head can vary from a narrow shape with a pointed muzzle to a round shape with a tucked-in or short muzzle. But one thing never changes, and that's the bright, inquisitive eyes, round in shape and dark amber to dark brown in color. Sparkling with life, they testify to a dog who loves life to the full. The ears should be mentioned, and are either erect with a folded top, or long, floppy ears with bangs, while their tail is often fluffy and carried curled over their back. When it comes to the Smooth Jafox, it's almost a lottery what shape and color you get. Speaking of color, they're usually white with flecks of color like black, tan, red and brown.

Temperament of the Smooth Jafox

Parent dogs have distinct natures that your Smooth Jafox will inherit in full or at least in part. The Fox Terrier Smooth is a very active action dog, while the Japanese Spaniel is more gentle and relaxed, and not as active, which is a blessing for many owners. This soothing trait makes the Smooth Jafox a slightly more relaxed dog who, although he loves to play, also likes to lie down, especially on or next to you. Affectionate and loyal, they have an independent nature, but are very receptive and affectionate towards their family and known family friends. The Smooth Jafox can take time to get to know new people, and is often quite reserved at first. He's a highly intelligent dog who responds well to training, although he's quite sensitive by nature, so harsh words and tone of voice will only hinder training. If you use praise, rewards and lots of petting, the teaching will be much more effective. These little dogs love children, although they are not as tolerant of naturally clumsy and noisy toddlers. These little dogs can easily be hurt unintentionally by clumsy youngsters, and they may bite in retaliation. The Terrier's strong hunting instinct will be present in your Smooth Jafox, so keep this little rascal on a leash on your walks, or he'll bolt in an instant at the sight of a quick little beast. There's no need to call him, as he won't hear you - he'll concentrate entirely on the chase. For added safety, keep him on a leash to protect not only other small creatures, but also the dog himself, who will be blind to traffic in the heat of the moment. The Smooth Jafox is never boring to be around; he's great fun, very affectionate and loyal. This dog is an ideal pet that adapts to any environment, including apartment living.

Needs and activities of the Smooth Jafox

The Smooth Jafox has moderate exercise needs. While he loves going for walks and exploring the neighborhood, he's just as happy to relax by snuggling up to you or on top of you. But a daily walk will be good for his health and help him socialize. If your Smooth Jafox has the short muzzle of the Japanese Spaniel, take care not to exercise him in the extreme heat of the day, as this could cause heat stroke or breathing difficulties. These dogs are notorious for climbing high up on furniture or steps and may lunge when they see you, expecting you to catch them. Naturally, this can cause injury to young dogs, as they misjudge distance. Be aware of this feature and it will save you a lot of headaches. The Smooth Jafox is easy to train, loves to please and will do anything he can to do what you ask. But he won't always succeed, so you'll need to be patient.

Maintenance of the Smooth Jafox

The Smooth Jafox requires moderate maintenance, which means brushing two or three times a week to keep your dog in top condition. If your dog has inherited a short coat, he'll need less maintenance than if he's inherited a long, fine coat, where he'll need to be brushed more regularly to prevent tangling. Hair loss is minimal, and regular brushing should take care of it. The ears are an area prone to infection. When grooming your dog, check the inside of the ear and wipe it gently with a soft, damp cloth. Check the eyes for redness or tears. Keeping an eye on these infection-prone areas will reduce the number of visits to the vet. Long-haired coats may need trimming around areas such as the eyes and armpits, where hair can easily become matted. Gently brush your dog's teeth with a special dog toothpaste, specially designed for dogs and gentler than other non-dog products. Then, a quick trim of the nails and a cuddle and your Smooth Jafox will be ready for action.