Fox Terriers

Coat & Grooming: The Wire Fox Terrier has a dense, wiry coat that often appears crinkled or waved, while the Smooth Fox Terrier has a smooth, hard coat. Both varieties require weekly brushing to maintain their coat health, although the Wire Fox Terrier may require a little extra care, including regular trips to the groomer, says Klein.

Coat length: Short

Grooming: Occasional

Shedding: Fox Terriers shed very little, but Smooth Fox Terriers do tend to shed more than Wire Fox Terriers.

Training: Because they are so loyal and smart, Fox Terriers can be easy to train, but they also have an independent and stubborn streak. The earlier you can start training and socializing your Fox Terrier, the better they will be. Klein's biggest advice when it comes to training a Fox Terrier is to start early and be consistent.

Barking: Understanding your dog: Fox Terriers can be noisy, especially when they aren't mentally and physically entertained. Providing them with enough companionship and stimulation will keep them from becoming too noisy or getting into trouble.

Temperament & Behavior: Fox Terriers are independent, fun-loving, curious and energetic dogs that require daily exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy. They enjoy a good round of rough-and-tumble play and their loyalty and intelligence make them good candidates for training.

"Fox Terriers are a ball of energy the first few years of life, but they mellow considerably as they mature, and although still playful, they settle down to become wonderful companions," says Klein.

Early training is important to help socialize Fox Terriers, as they tend to be quite noisy and have an interest in mischief. They also have a strong prey drive, so they should never be let off a leash or trusted around other small animals.

Behavior with kids: Feisty but sweet, fun and full of energy, your kids will tire of playing before your Fox Terrier does. These dogs should be watched with young kids, though, since they can resort to rough-and-tumble play.

Protection: A Fox Terrier will likely sound the alarm at anything approaching your home and can make an attentive watchdog.

Life Span: On average, Fox Terriers live between 10 and 15 years.

Inherited health issues: Despite being a generally healthy breed, certain health conditions can occur at an increased frequency within the breed or can have a genetic association. Responsible breeders generally perform a number of screening and genetic tests in an attempt to decrease the incidence of health problems within the breed. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Myasthenia gravis, Patellar luxation, Cataracts, Generalized progressive retinal atrophy, Glaucoma, Lens luxation, Cerebellar hypoplasia, Congenital Deafness, Hereditary ataxia, Idiopathic epilepsy, Lissencephaly, Cutaneous hemangioma, Fibroma, Insulinoma and Perianal gland adenomas.

Preventive care: Like all dogs, Fox Terriers should be examined by a veterinarian once or twice per year. These preventative visits can aid in detecting new or subtle changes before they become more significant problems. Discuss the use of regular preventative flea and tick medications, as well as heartworm prevention with a veterinarian.

Nutrition: Regular exercise and a good diet will help ensure this breed does not become overweight. With the predisposition for obesity, it is important to ensure you discuss your diet and amount you are feeding with your veterinarian. Treats are fine but remember to ensure that the treats lie within your dogs daily caloric intake to help avoid your dog from becoming overweight.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Fox Terrier is 1/2 to 1 cup.

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Exercise: Although small in size, Fox Terriers are bundles of energy that require daily mental and physical stimulation. They excel at agility and hunting-like activities, and 30 to 45 minutes (or more) of daily activity should keep them happy. A fenced-in yard with human interaction is ideal. Additionally, Klein says that while all Fox Terriers love people, they may not get along with strange dogs.

Climate: Although they can handle it for short periods of time, the Fox Terrier shouldn't be kept in the cold for too long.

Living space: Although small in size, this breed has a lot of energy, and they do better when they have plenty of room to run and play, especially when they are young.