Breed characteristics carousel
Learn More
Need to Know
- Dog suitable for owners with some experience
- Extra training required
- Generally healthy breed
- Enjoys active walks
- Small dog
- Minimal drool
- Requires frequent grooming
- Chatty and vocal dog
- Barks, alerts, and may be physically protective/suspicious of visitors
- Might not like other dogs
- May need additional training to live with other pets
- May need additional supervision to live with children
- Needs a small yard, in suburban or rural areas
- Can be left alone occasionally with training
- AKC Registered Breed
Personality
Dynamic and bold, the Toy Fox Terrier—also known as the TFT dog—is full of fun and feistiness. They are tiny investigators, ready to seek out adventures indoors or outside. Play is a priority for them, whether with their owners or with toys. Toy Fox Terrier dogs love to entertain and be entertained, but their favorite place is always going to be by their owner’s side. Suspicious of strangers, they can overcome this with socialization.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is the basis for the Toy Fox Terrier. They were also bred with several toy breeds such as the Toy Manchester Terrier, Chihuahua, and Italian Greyhound. Toy Fox Terriers were considered Smooth Fox Terriers until the early 20th century when they became their own breed.
The small size of the Toy Fox Terrier doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need exercise—this is a highly active dog that wants an active family. They are loving and loyal dogs who are quick to learn. Running, hiking, walking, and doing anything that gets the heart rate up is their idea of a good time. They are slightly less energetic than other terrier breeds but still have the spirit and attitude of a tenacious terrier. Often clownish, the ideal owner of a Toy Fox Terrier will find the dog’s antics charming.
Athletic and fast, the Toy Fox Terrier likes to play and romp. Any physical activity is their idea of a good time, including running zoomies through the living room. They can be indefatigable and can benefit from mental stimulation through problem-solving, puzzles, and games, especially any sanctioned digging.
Small in size, the Toy Fox Terrier breed does well with city living so long as they get lots of time outside. Owners with homes should have fenced-in yards as Toy Fox Terriers are escape artists and love to dig.
The coat of the Toy Fox Terrier is low-maintenance. They do shed, but minimally. Baths should only be given if the dog is dirty.
Tough and often spicy, the Toy Fox Terrier likes to make its own decisions, which means training needs an extra element of creative motivation. While naturally outgoing, early and ongoing socialization is important to give the dogs confidence and make them well-mannered in anyone’s company.
Families who have time to devote to the Toy Fox Terrier’s mental and physical needs will enjoy owning one. They do well with children, albeit best with older children as younger children might mistake them for playmates.
The cost of a Toy Fox Terrier from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.
Learn more about feeding and caring for your Toy Fox Terrier on Purina.
Did You Know?
- Toy Fox Terrier dogs are funny and clownish, so much so that they were used as circus performers in the past.
Small Dog & Puppy Breeds
They’re cute, they’re cuddly, and they pack tons of personality into short stature. But is a small dog right for you? That depends. Small dog breeds come from a variety of backgrounds, and they vary widely when it comes to personality, activity needs and maintenance requirements. The most popular
What questions should I ask when I adopt a dog?
Have a question about pet adoption that you'd like us to answer on the blog? Email us . Q: I've never adopted a dog before, but am thinking about adopting from a shelter soon. What kinds of questions should I ask about the dog before adopting one? -- Tracy S. A: Hi Tracy! We're t