Miniature Fox Terrier facts for kids
The Miniature Fox Terrier is a small, energetic dog breed from Australia. People often call it the "Mini Foxie." These dogs were first bred to be working terriers, meaning they were good at hunting small animals like rats and rabbits. They are known for being quick and clever.
Miniature Fox Terrier (F/16yrs)
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| Other names | Toy fox terrier, Mini Foxie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Origin | Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contents
What do Miniature Fox Terriers look like?
The Miniature Fox Terrier is a well-built dog with smooth muscles. It has a special head with ears that can stand straight up or fold over. Another unique thing about them is their oval-shaped feet, which are rare in small dog breeds.
Their tails can be natural (meaning they are born with a short tail) or sometimes they are shortened (called docked). However, owners must follow local laws about this.
These dogs come in three main color combinations:
- Black and white
- Tan and white
- Black, tan, and white
Their fur is always short and fine. They usually weigh between 3.5 and 5.5 kilograms (8 to 12 pounds). They stand about 24 to 30.5 centimeters (9.5 to 12 inches) tall at the shoulder.
Miniature Fox Terriers are related to other breeds like the Toy Fox Terrier from the United States, the Jack Russell Terrier, the Rat Terrier, and the Tenterfield Terrier.
What is their personality like?
Miniature Fox Terriers were first bred to hunt small animals like rats, mice, and rabbits. They are very fast and agile. Because they are so good at hunting pests and can fit into small spaces, they became very important on many Australian farms.
These dogs also make great family pets, even in cities. They are small, have short, easy-to-clean fur, and are very loyal. They get along well with children. They love to be praised and trained with positive rewards, not just treats.
Miniature Fox Terriers usually get along with other animals. But, like most working terriers, they might see small pets like reptiles or pet rats as prey. So, it's best not to leave them alone with such animals. They are confident and often play happily with dogs much bigger than themselves.
How healthy are Miniature Fox Terriers?
Miniature Fox Terriers are generally very healthy and strong, even though they are small. They don't need a lot of special care. Some dogs might need their nails clipped regularly if they don't run on hard surfaces often.
A common issue in small breeds is called Luxating patellae, which means the kneecap can slip out of place. This happens less often in Mini Foxies from responsible breeders. The Mini Foxie Club has rules that breeders must follow, like getting a health check from a vet before breeding. This helps keep the breed healthy.
It's important to give them small, healthy meals because they have small stomachs. To keep them healthy and avoid problems like arthritis, make sure they stay active and don't get too heavy.
How long do they live?
Miniature Fox Terriers are known for living a long time. With good care and a happy life, they can often live for 12 to 18 years, and sometimes even longer, up to 20 years! How long they live depends on things like a healthy diet, enough exercise, space to run, and how happy they are.
What is their history?
The Miniature Fox Terrier probably came from mixing smaller Fox Terriers with other toy breeds like the Toy Manchester Terrier and the English Toy Terrier. Hunters wanted a smaller, faster Fox Terrier to hunt rats, rabbits, and snakes.
Even though their ancestors came from England, this breed was developed in Australia. By the late 1800s, these small terriers were well-known on Australian farms. They were great at catching pests and were very loyal to their owners. They were even used in search parties and to control pests in places like the Sydney’s North Head Quarantine Station.
Because they were alert, small, loving, and easy to care for, they quickly became popular in cities too. By the 1920s, the "Little Foxie" was a very famous dog in Australia.
Protecting the breed
By the 1980s, people started to worry about protecting purebred dogs. A group of Mini Foxie lovers began meeting to discuss the future of these little dogs. In 1986, they formed the Miniature Fox Terrier Club of Australia (MFCA). They created a special set of rules for the breed, called a breed standard.
In 1992, the club became officially recognized as the Mini Foxie Club of Australia, Inc. This club keeps records of the dogs' family trees (pedigrees). They also organize dog shows and publish a newsletter. The club's strict rules have helped keep the breed healthy and strong.
Sometimes, the Miniature Fox Terrier is confused with the Tenterfield Terrier. These two breeds were once very similar but have been developing separately for over twenty years and are now different.
The Miniature Fox Terrier is not recognized by the main Australian dog club, the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC). However, the independent Mini Foxie Club of Australia Inc. protects the breed and its pedigrees. If you are looking for a puppy, it's a good idea to check for one registered with the MFCA on their website.
In 2005, the names Miniature Fox Terrier and Mini Foxie were officially added to the list of recognized dog breeds in New South Wales, Australia.
The Miniature Fox Terrier today
Even though they are not very well known outside of Australia and New Zealand, the "little foxie" is famous in its home country. Important people in government have even talked about the breed during discussions about dogs.
Some famous Australians own Miniature Fox Terriers:
- 'Pasqua' and ‘Fergus’ belong to Anthony Field from The Wiggles.
- Ian Thorpe, a famous Australian swimmer, has spoken about his Mini Foxie, Tiny.
- Sean Carlow, an Australian figure skating champion, also owns one.
- Toby Allen from the band Human Nature has been featured with his Mini Foxies in the media.
Today, the Miniature Fox Terrier is still a great working dog on farms across Australia. They are also very popular as pets. As long as they get enough playtime, toys to keep their minds busy, and some exercise, they make wonderful pets for families with kids, older people, and anyone looking for a loyal friend.
