Buying or Adopting a Toy Fox Terrier
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Don't set your sights on the Toy Fox Terrier until you read my advice in these posts.
Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]
The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)
The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)
The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)
Is a Toy Fox Terrier the right breed for you?
Toy Fox Terrier Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find
Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family. |
Are YOU the right owner for a Toy Fox Terrier?
Can you provide what this breed needs?
- Someone home most of the day
- Fenced yard (not an electronic/underground fence)
- No young children in the household
- No large dogs in the household (safety issue)
- Extra safety precautions – ongoing supervision and surveillance of what's going on around your Toy Fox Terrier, being careful where you step or sit, not allowing leaps from high furniture, keeping small objects off the floor so the dog can't choke, closing all gaps in fences and gates, etc.
- Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Toy Fox Terrier stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
- "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, flyball); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
- An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
- A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
- An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Toy Fox Terriers are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
- An owner who is okay with moderate shedding, and housebreaking perhaps taking a long time
- Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Toy Fox to lots of people and other animals, diligently correcting any signs of misbehavior or aggression
- Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Toy Fox Terrier, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say
Which sex? What age?
Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?
Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?
Where can you buy or adopt a Toy Fox Terrier?
Toy Fox Terriers are fairly common in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Toy Fox Terriers rank 116th. I know that doesn't sound very common, but when you also add all the Toy Fox Terriers registered with the United Kennel Club, that comes out to quite a few!
Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
Toy Fox Terriers are sometimes available from Dog Rescue groups. Toy Fox Terriers may be turned over to Rescue because they're more active than the owner anticipated, or because they bark too much or act aggressively toward strangers or other animals. Other Toy Fox Terriers are given up simply because of changed family circumstances, and these dogs may have no behavior problems at all.
Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Toy Fox Terriers are not often found here, and if one appears, it's either adopted quickly, pulled out by a Toy Fox Terrier Rescue group, or euthanized due to behavior issues.
Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Toy Fox Terrier from a show breeder, who breeds their dogs to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. You can also buy a Toy Fox Terrier from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.
Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Toy Fox Terrier puppy should have:
- a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have normal knees
Also, at least ONE PARENT of a Toy Fox Terrier puppy should have:
- a DNA test proving they are Normal/Clear of a severe hereditary eye disease called primary lens luxation.
If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Toy Fox Terrier ends up blind and lame.
Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
Toy Fox Terriers are often found in pet shops. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!
Which puppy?
Choosing the Right Toy Fox Terrier Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Toy Fox Terrier puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.
AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Toy Fox Terrier puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?
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