Smooth Fox Terrier: Temperament, Size, Grooming and Adoption Guide
Smooth Fox Terrier history
The Smooth Fox Terrier is an English breed that AKC places in the Terrier Group. Fox hunters in late 17th century England wanted a longer-legged, mostly white terrier that could run with hounds and bolt foxes from the ground, and early fox terriers were mainly smooth-coated. The smooth and wire varieties were long treated as one breed, though interbreeding between them stopped in the early 1900s. AKC recognized the Smooth Fox Terrier in 1885.
How big is a Smooth Fox Terrier? Size and weight
AKC places the breed in its small size category and publishes a height of 15½ inches. AKC gives a weight of 18 pounds for males and 15-17 pounds for females, while VCA says males weigh about 18 pounds and females about 16 pounds.
Smooth Fox Terrier temperament
AKC describes the temperament as independent, friendly and amusing. The UKC standard calls the breed friendly, alert and lively without being high-strung, and bold but not aggressive with people. It retains a strong prey drive and may dig tirelessly after underground vermin. VCA notes that these dogs are vocal, can get scrappy with other dogs, and often do well with opposite-sex dogs and with cats they were raised with. They tend to be affectionate with children but may be too active for some, and a Smooth could nip if pushed too far, so children should be taught to be gentle.
Exercise and energy
VCA describes a dog that loves fetch, tug-of-war, running, hiking and exploring, and that is likely to chase squirrels, so it should be leashed or kept in a fenced area outdoors. With enough attention and exercise, VCA says the dog settles nicely in the house.
Smooth fox terrier grooming
The smooth coat is short and close-lying, and VCA says these dogs need little grooming beyond weekly brushing to remove shed hair, nail trims, tooth brushing and ear cleaning.
Training
VCA describes Smooths as eager to please but smart and easily bored, so they can seem stubborn. It suggests making training a game with plenty of rewards and variety, such as through agility, flyball or rally.
Fox terrier lifespan and health
AKC gives a general life expectancy of 12-15 years for the Smooth Fox Terrier. VCA says the most common health problems are eye problems and hip and shoulder problems, though even these are rare, and that skin irritation from allergies sometimes occurs.
Questions to ask about smooth fox terrier adoption
When you ask a rescue or shelter about a Smooth Fox Terrier, VCA suggests asking whether eye, hip and shoulder testing has been done and asking to see the results, though such records may not exist for every adult dog. Ask a veterinarian what screening makes sense for an individual dog.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Smooth Fox Terrier as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Terrier Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1885
- Height (AKC published)
- 15½ inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- 18 pounds (male), 15-17 (female)
- General life expectancy
- 12-15 years
- AKC size category
- Small
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 3 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 2 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 5 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 5 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Patella Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 7, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Smooth Fox Terrier | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 9, 2026
- Smooth Fox Terrier | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 9, 2026
- Smooth Fox Terrier - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
