Canis lupus familiaris
Toy Fox Terrier
Featured phototoy-fox-terrier.jpgThe Toy Fox Terrier is a early-20th-century American Smooth Fox Terrier × Chihuahua × Manchester Terrier toy cross. The Toy Fox Terrier was developed in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century by selectively breeding the smallest specimens of the Smooth Fox Terrier with toy crosses (Chihuahua, Manchester Terrier, Italian Greyhound) to fix a true toy-sized terrier.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Toy
- Origin country
- United States
- Origin period
- Late 19th century (formalized 1936)
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- White and Black, White, Chocolate and Tan, White and Tan, Tricolor (White, Black, Tan)
- Average lifespan
- 13-15 years
- Recognition
- AKC 2003 · UKC 1936
Origin
The Toy Fox Terrier was developed in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century by selectively breeding the smallest specimens of the Smooth Fox Terrier with toy crosses — Chihuahua (which fixed the smaller size and the apple-domed head), Manchester Terrier (which fixed the black-and-tan colour pattern in some lines), and Italian Greyhound (which contributed the elegant outline) — to produce a true toy-sized terrier with the fox terrier's working character. The breed was first recognized as a distinct breed by the United Kennel Club in 1936; the AKC admitted the Toy Fox Terrier in 2003. The breed has not been recognized by the FCI.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2003, the United Kennel Club followed in 1936.
Standard
The AKC and UKC standards describe a small, well-balanced, athletic toy dog with a smooth coat, an erect ear set, and a docked tail. The defining features are the V-shaped erect ears, the small, well-defined head with a slightly domed skull, and the proud, deer-like carriage. The short, fine, smooth, glossy coat lies close to the body. Recognized colours are white-and-black, white-chocolate-and-tan, white-and-tan, and tricolour (white-black-tan).
Sources & further reading (2)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the Toy Fox Terrier's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Toy Fox Terrier in the Toy Group. The Toy Group gathers small companion breeds historically kept as lap dogs and household companions, including the Pug, Pomeranian, Maltese, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The breed's foundation working role was as a early-20th-century American Smooth Fox Terrier × Chihuahua × Manchester Terrier toy cross.
When was the Toy Fox Terrier officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2003; the United Kennel Club followed in 1936.
What is the average lifespan of a Toy Fox Terrier?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Toy Fox Terrier's average lifespan in the 13-15 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
