The Fox Terrier is a small, fearless, quick-thinking dog bred to chase foxes out of their dens, and it still approaches life with that same bold energy. Training a Fox Terrier works best when you give this clever, independent breed clear rules, daily outlets for its hunting instincts and a calm leader it respects, because a bored Fox Terrier will always find its own entertainment. Welcome to the “F” of our A-Z Breed Series!
Fox Terriers come in two coats, and in Canada they are two separate breeds. The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes both the Smooth Fox Terrier, with a short, flat coat, and the Wire Fox Terrier (pictured), with a dense, wiry coat. Both trace back to the hunt kennels of England. When fox hunting took off in the late 1700s, hunters needed a small, tough dog that could keep up with the hounds, then “go to ground” into a fox’s den and drive the fox back out. The Fox Terrier Club in England wrote the first standard in 1876, and the CKC recognized the Smooth Fox Terrier in 1889. Very few Canadian Fox Terriers hunt today, but that work shaped almost everything about how this breed thinks and behaves.
Fox Terrier traits and personality
➤ Fearless and forthcoming: The CKC breed standard describes the Wire Fox Terrier’s temperament as “friendly, forthcoming and fearless.” This dog meets the world head-on and rarely backs down.
➤ Always on alert: The same standard describes a dog “on tiptoe of expectation at the slightest provocation.” A Fox Terrier notices every squirrel, every rustle and every footstep outside.
➤ Strong hunting instinct: Fox Terriers were bred to chase, dig and grab small animals. Squirrels, rabbits, birds and sometimes the family cat can trigger that instinct in a split second.
➤ Clever and independent: This breed learns fast and thinks for itself. A Fox Terrier was meant to make its own decisions underground, so it will happily make its own decisions in your living room too.
➤ Big energy in a small body: Do not let the size fool you. A Fox Terrier needs real exercise and mental work every day, not just a quick lap of the block.
➤ Compact and sturdy: According to the CKC breed standards, a male Fox Terrier should not exceed 39.25 cm (15.5 inches) at the shoulder, with an ideal weight of about 8.25 kg (18 pounds) in show condition. Females are slightly smaller. White should be the main colour in both coats, usually with black, tan, or black and tan markings.
Training a Fox Terrier with Bark Busters
Fox Terriers learn new things quickly. The challenge is convincing them that your idea is better than theirs. Long, repetitive drills bore this breed fast, so short sessions with plenty of variety work far better. What a Fox Terrier needs most is a calm, confident leader who sets the same boundaries every day. This breed notices quickly when one family member enforces a rule and another does not, and it will use that gap.
That is where we come in. Our trainers come to your home and teach the whole family how to communicate with your Fox Terrier in a way the dog understands, using voice and body language, primarily. We work on the real problems where they happen: at the front window, at the back fence, at the door and on your neighbourhood walks. With our Life Of Dog Support Guarantee, your trainer stays with you for the life of your dog, from cheeky puppy to confident senior.
Common training challenges & solutions
➤ Chasing small animals: A squirrel across the street can turn a calm walk into a sprint. We teach you to read the early signs, the frozen stare and the tense body, and to redirect your dog before the chase starts. Our guide to reactive dog training explains why catching that first moment matters so much.
➤ Barking at everything: Fox Terriers make enthusiastic watchdogs, and a dog that stands guard at the front window all day can bark itself into a habit. We show you how to let your dog know you have heard the warning and you are handling it. Our complete guide to barking covers the most common reasons dogs bark.
➤ Digging and escaping: A breed developed to dig into dens can make short work of a garden bed, and some Fox Terriers will dig under a fence or slip through a gap to follow a scent. Supervision in the yard, a secure fence and plenty of daily activity all help.
➤ Coming back when called: When a Fox Terrier’s nose or eyes lock onto something interesting, your voice can fade into the background. We help you build a recall your dog takes seriously, and until it is reliable, keep your dog on lead in any unfenced area.
➤ Scrappy with other dogs: Fox Terriers can be bold with other dogs, whatever their size. Calm, controlled introductions and a leader who steps in early help prevent a small disagreement from turning into a habit.
➤ Boredom: A Fox Terrier with nothing to do will invent a job, and you may not like the job it chooses. Sniffing games, problem-solving games and short training sessions use up mental energy that a walk alone cannot. Our guide to mental stimulation has nine indoor ideas for the winter months.
Is a Fox Terrier right for you?
A Fox Terrier suits an active household that enjoys a dog with a big personality and a sense of humour. This breed does best with people who can give it daily exercise and mental work, a securely fenced yard and consistent rules from everyone at home. The Wire Fox Terrier’s coat also needs regular grooming, while the Smooth needs only needs a basic bath and brush.
If you want a quiet, laid-back lap dog, or you share your home with small pets such as rabbits, hamsters or birds, a Fox Terrier may not be the best match. Thinking about bringing one home? Talk to a reputable breeder or a breed rescue about the breed’s energy level and health, and ask to meet adult dogs as well as puppies.
Plus a fun fact
The Wire Fox Terrier is the most successful breed in the history of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. Wire Fox Terriers have won Best in Show 15 times, almost twice as many as the next breed, the Scottish Terrier, with 8. The most recent was King, in 2019.If you grew up with comic books, you already know a Wire Fox Terrier: Snowy, Tintin’s loyal companion, (called Milou in the original French).
Frequently asked questions
Are Fox Terriers easy to train?
Fox Terriers are smart and learn quickly, but they are also independent and easily distracted. Short, varied sessions and the same rules from every family member work best.
What is the difference between a Smooth and a Wire Fox Terrier?
The main difference is the coat. The Smooth has a short, flat coat, and the Wire has a dense, wiry coat that needs more grooming. In Canada, the CKC recognizes them as two separate breeds, but they share the same size, energy and terrier personality.
Are Fox Terriers good family dogs?
For an active family that enjoys a lively dog, yes. Fox Terriers are affectionate and playful. Their strong hunting instinct means small pets need careful management, and young children should always be supervised around any dog.
Get professional training for your Fox Terrier
Whether your Fox Terrier is an eight-week-old puppy or an adult dog who runs the household, we can help you turn all that confidence into good manners. Explore more breeds in our Dog Breed Training Guides, or use find a trainer to book an in-home visit with your local Bark Busters trainer.
Sources: Canadian Kennel Club Wire Fox Terrier breed standard and Smooth Fox Terrier breed standard; Westminster Kennel Club, Best in Show Records by Breed; American Kennel Club, King the Wire Fox Terrier Gets the Royal Treatment at Westminster.
Free guide: Thinking about bringing a Fox Terrier puppy home? Download our Thinking of Getting a Puppy guide (PDF) for the questions to ask before you choose a breed and a breeder. You can find more handouts on our Free Dog Training Resources page.
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