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Welsh Toy Fox Terrier |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> U.S.A. -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Welsh Toy Fox Terrier |
| Descended from a seemingly timeless and a relatively new breed, the Welsh Terrier and Toy Fox Terrier respectively, the Welsh Toy Fox Terrier is a balanced blend of its predecessors in almost every respect. As a breed, they are generally lively but not hyperactive, playful but not exhausting, and affectionate but not obsessive, personality traits that are ideally suited to people with active lifestyles as well as more traditional families. Unlike many other Terriers, they are actually a little easier to train. This obedience also translates into a high level of loyalty to their masters, which can compromise relationships with others, as they are only moderately trusting of other dogs and people, unless they are fully socialized. Thanks in part to the Welshie, they also have exceptional noses and can still be used for hunting, but they are more often found as pets, especially in recent times. But like most Terriers, they need a decent amount of exercise and engagement to stay entertained, and can otherwise become bored and potentially destructive. Compared with many other Terrier breeds, however, they are a little easier to live with, still have a penchant for fun and are perfectly small, so they can suit a variety of people and living situations. |
History of the Welsh Toy Fox Terrier |
| The Welsh Toy Fox Terrier 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 more than three times that. |
A little of the Welsh Terrier |
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| Although the history of the Welsh Terrier is poorly documented, it is thought to have originated in the late 1700s as a relative of the now extinct English Black and Tan Terrier, but the earliest written records date back to 1450. As a result, it is not only considered one of the UK's oldest surviving breeds, but is also one of only two breeds thought to have originated in Wales. Originally bred by farmers to hunt and clear their land of otters, foxes, badgers and other small to medium-sized prey, their courageous character is still evident today. In the late 1800s, the breed was finally recognized by the English Kennel Club and, in 1900, the Welsh Terrier Club of America was founded. Although generally a highly recognizable breed thanks to its coat color and gait, it is considered an endangered breed, as only a few hundred dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club each year. | ||
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| Standard of the Welsh Terrier |
A little of the Toy Fox Terrier |
| The Toy Fox Terrier, meanwhile, may have a history limited to just over a hundred years, but it is one of the few breeds that can claim to be truly American. They are known to be descended from a Smooth Fox Terrier named Foiler, the first Smooth Fox Terrier to be recognized by the English Kennel Club around 1885. It is believed that since then, the Fox Terrier Smooth has been mixed with toy breeds such as the Manchester Terrier and Chihuahua to create a more compact silhouette with a classic Terrier personality that is lively, robust and virtually fearless. That's exactly what happened, and almost 100 years after their slow transformation began, the American Kennel Club recognized them in 2003. |
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| Standard of the Toy Fox Terrier |
Appearance of the Welsh Toy Fox Terrier |
| The Welsh Toy Fox Terrier is a small dog, averaging around 30.5 centimeters in height and weighing less than 9 kilos. They often sport the characteristic medium-to-long coat for which the Welsh Terrier is known, which normally varies between black, white, tan and brown. Like the Welsh Terrier, the Welsh Toy Fox usually has a long, almost box-shaped muzzle, topped with a black nose, but retains somewhat less of the normal rectangular shape of its head. It has an elongated moustache, beard and eyebrows, and ears that are either pricked or buttoned. Their overall build is athletic, showing only slightly less muscle in the front, with a straight foreleg compared to stockier hind thighs and a pair of sloping or angular hind legs, topped by a medium-length tail that is sometimes docked. |
Temperament of the Welsh Toy Fox Terrier |
| Welsh Toy Fox Terriers are known for being even-tempered and a little better behaved than many of their congeners. They have a lot of energy but are not hyperactive, and enjoy lounging with their owners on calm days or after a good run. They are excellent all-round companions, as they are affectionate, playful, eager to please and loyal, which generally makes them much easier to train than some of their more stubborn congeners. Although they are capable of maintaining a certain level of calm, they need frequent, vigorous exercise to tire themselves out. Without physical activity, mental stimulation and attention, they tend to get bored or frustrated, and can become destructive. They also still possess the hunting instinct and may tend to follow their noses even if this is undesirable for the owner, especially if there is a small prey that can be dug up, chased or barked at. But given their receptiveness to training and their composed behavior, many of them are still one step ahead of their Terrier brothers. Because of its general personality and size, this breed is adaptable and can suit a wide variety of lifestyles, from adventure lovers to families with children who play mainly in the yard. |
Needs and activities of the Welsh Toy Fox Terrier |
| The Welsh Toy Fox Terrier is not a very energetic dog, but it is above average, which means it needs at least ten kilometers of walking a week and at least 30 to 45 minutes of extra play or other activities a day, but it will happily accept more if given. Because of their morphology and love of the hunt, this breed appreciates an open space to burn off energy and run at full speed rather than being restricted to walking or jogging paces with their master, although they make excellent running and cycling companions if properly trained. If you involve them in mental games, especially those that call on their physical abilities, such as Frisbee, fetch or the agility exercises Toy Fox Terriers are particularly good at, it's even better. |
Maintenance of the Welsh Toy Fox Terrier |
| Although it has a lot of hair, the Welsh Toy Fox Terrier is not a high-maintenance dog. Since the Welsh Terrier has long hair and the Toy Fox Terrier sheds frequently, a minimum of weekly brushing will help keep the coat in good condition and avoid knots and tangles. Their longer coats also attract dirt, especially if they can break free from their leashes and romp at will. Owners should therefore keep an eye and a nose on them to determine how often they should be bathed and whether they need trimming. Teeth should be brushed weekly, and nails should be monitored and trimmed regularly to prevent splitting or breaking. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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