Miniature Fox Terrier: Breed Guide, Info, Pictures, Care & More!

The Miniature Fox Terrier is a diminutive, athletic, and adorable dog that maintains its larger terrier cousins’ hunting intuitions and spirit. The breed is similar to the Toy Fox Terrier and is commonly known as Mini Foxie in its native Australia. Mini Foxies have a distinctive head, erect ears that stand straight up or fold at the tips, and a short and smooth coat extending at the neck.

Miniature Fox Terriers are intelligent, furious, and full of action. They require proper training since they can hunt for pleasure. These dogs make good family pets, but they have high prey drive, especially around other small furry pets like rats and Guinea pigs.

Breed Overview

Like a regular Fox Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier needs adventure, preferable a few times a day.  They like to horseplay and explore new things and are always open to new activities. To have a good friendship with these dogs right from the start, you need to use a lot of motivation and reinforcement in their upbringing

Mini Foxies love to dig outside for snails and other tiny creatures. They play rough with other dogs, so early socialization is essential and teaching them specific limits.

Miniature Fox Terrier Characteristics

Miniature Fox Terrier Puppies

Mini Fox Terriers might be small dog breeds, but they are energetic and active. This means that exercise will be an essential part of their grooming and care to help use some of their excess energy levels. They also love social interaction, so you should organize playdates with fellow canines or give them enough attention. You should offer your Mini Fox Terrier proper socialization and attention from puppyhood and continue throughout the dog’s life for appropriate behavior.

When you welcome a miniature Fox Terrier into your home, be ready to have a loyal pup by your side. They create strong bonds with their families and are great for people that have other dogs or cats.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Miniature Fox Terrier

The Miniature Fox Terrier is an ideal toy/terrier mixture. On the toy side, this breed can be playful, lovable, and a funny lapdog. On the terrier side, they are energetic, intelligent, and mischievous.

The combo of these characteristics produces a friendly, intelligent, and alert furry friend. The Miniature Fox Terrier is pretty versatile, and they are up to anything you want to do.

Their abundant energy comes from their terrier heritage and is one of the Miniature Fox Terriers’ key personality traits. It is common for your dog to be on the move all the time. Whether playing with their favorite toy or dashing around the living room, a Miniature Fox Terrier always has the energy to utilize.

Miniature Fox Terriers get along well with kids and other pets, but you need to be careful when allowing small kids to handle a Miniature Fox Terrier. They are wriggly and can be difficult even for adults to withhold. A Miniature Fox Terrier can do best in a family where kids are five years and above. Younger kids might rush at the pup and scare him, causing him to hurt the kid or himself.

Most Miniature Fox Terriers live with cats, mainly two or twee times their size, and they get along well with them. It is common to see them playing or sleeping together.

Their small size makes Miniature Fox Terriers suitable for most homes. However, their wild nature and high activity level should caution people living in apartments, especially those who aren’t home during the day.

This breed loves attention and companionship. Therefore, it does best with people who can spend ample time with them daily.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Miniature Fox Terriers are perfect in homes with older kids who know how to treat dogs gently and respect their space. However, they are not good playmates for younger kids.

Brown, chocolate, or tan Miniature Fox Terriers are small and tend to break their bones easily. This combo presents a potentially harmful result.

In addition, the dog is very aggressive with mishandling. Nevertheless, with proper training and socialization, these dogs will make perfect pets in a home of an active family.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Miniature Fox Terries create tranquil friends for cats, and sometimes the two species even develop a firm companionship. Mini Foxies can be affectionate around canines that you have raised together. However, they may also be territorial towards strange dogs passing or approaching their property.

Things to Know When Owning a Miniature Fox Terrier:

Food & Diet Requirement 🦴

With your vet’s supervision and approval, the Miniature Fox Terrier needs high-nutritious dog food, whether home-prepared or commercially manufactured. Any diet can be appropriate to the dog’s age; puppy, adult, or senior.

How much your dog consumes depends on its size, age, and activity level. The typical adult Miniature Fox Terrier will only require a half cup of dry food divided into two meals per day. Depending on age, Miniature Fox puppy will need a little, about a third cup per day, divided into three meals until six-month-old.

However, some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your Terrier’s calorie intake and weight level. Treats may be an essentials aid in training but giving too much can lead to obesity. The regular foods for Miniature Terrier include meat, eggs, and whole vegetables.

Keep abreast of which human foods are safe for your dog and which are not. Consult with your vet if you have any doubts regarding your dog’s diet and weight. In addition, ensure a consistent supply of clean, fresh water to your dog.

Exercise 🐕

Although the Miniature Fox Terriers are energetic, active breeds, their exercise needs are not too extensive. These dogs will attain most of their daily activity requirements just by running around.

The typical adult Miniature Fox Terrier will only require about 30 minutes of proper exercise per day, depending on its age and comprehensive activity level. You can attain this with a few short walks and a little time for play.

You can begin exercising your Miniature Fox puppy at around ten weeks of age by taking it on five-minute walks. Then, you can increase the walks’ frequency and length as the pup grows.

Note that it is crucial to exercise your Miniature Fox Terrier every single day. If anxious or bored, these dogs are known to become fussy or disobedient, and they will chew, dig, and bark excessively. So, regular Miniature Fox Terrier exercise is good for the dog’s and your own peace of mind.

Training 🎾

Early socialization and pup training sessions are crucial for all canines and help ensure that your Miniature Fox Terrier grows into a well-balanced, well-behaved companion. Housebreaking may include training the pup to go outdoors or teaching him to use a potty pad indoors. This can be extremely helpful during chilly weather conditions or for travel.

Miniature Fox Terriers are cheerful and competent in any range of activities, including obedience, hunting, and relaxing in the sun or on a sofa. They are naturally social and intelligent, which makes training, such as housetraining easier.

Grooming ✂️

The Miniature Fox Terrier needs minimal grooming.

Brush your Terrier’s teeth at least two or three times a week to eliminate tartar accumulation and bacteria that hide inside the deposit. Daily brushing is more important if you want to prevent foul breath and gum diseases.

Trim their nails once or twice a month if your pup doesn’t shed them naturally to prevent painful tears and other issues. If you can hear them clattering on the floor, they are too long.

Pup toenails carry blood vessels, and if you trim too far, you may cause bleeding. That can make your dog not cooperate the next time they see the nail clipper appear. So, if you are not an experienced dogs’ nails trimmer, ask a groomer or vet for assistance.

Check their ears weekly for redness and a foul smell, which can indicate an infection. Once you check your pup’s ears, wipe them out with a cotton ball moistened with a mild, pH-balanced ear disinfectant to help prevent infections. Don’t put anything into the ear canal; only clean the outer ear.

As you groom, check for rashes, sores, and infection signs, including tenderness, redness, and inflammation on the skin, in the nose, eyes, mouth, and feet. Eyes should be clear, with no discharge or redness. Performing a weekly exam will help you identify potential health issues early.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Miniature Fox Terriers are naturally healthy, but they are prone to different health conditions like most breeds.

When purchasing a puppy, find a reliable breeder who will provide health clearances for both your pup’s parents. A health clearance proves that a dog has been tested for and cleared for a specific condition. In Miniature Fox Terriers, you should expect to see health clearances for hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, mange, von Willebrand’s disease, and hypothyroidism.

Keep in mind that once you have brought a new pup into your home, you have the mandate to protect your dog from the most common issue, obesity. Keeping your Miniature Fox Terrier at an appropriate weight is one of the best ways to extend their life. Make the most of exercise and diet to help ensure a healthier and happy dog’s life.

Male vs. Female

Surprisingly, female Miniature Fox Terriers tend to learn potty training faster than males do. Males can do better with litter boxes since they usually have trouble going well with a potty pad.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Miniature Fox Terrier

Here are three known facts about Miniature Fox Terrier.

1. The Miniature Fox Terrier Makes a Good Watchdog

Like other terriers, Miniature Fox Terrier has an endless desire to dig, bark, and investigate. They frequently become nuisance barkers, and they can be aggressive towards other dogs, regardless of their size. Their noise level and territoriality make them good watchdogs. More so, if they sense something strange, they will alert your household.

2. Miniature Fox Terrier Adapt Well to Small Spaces

Due to their small size, the Miniature Fox Terrier fits well in any home. However, if you live in a condo or apartment, their high activity level and noisy nature should give you a pause if you will not be home during the day to keep them entertained.

Miniature Fox Terrier loves attention and gets along well with people who can spend an ample amount of time with them. In addition, they are naturally house dogs, and they don’t have the coat to live outdoors.

3. The Miniature Fox Terrier Can Live Up to 20 Years

Miniature Fox Terriers are famous for their excellent health and long life, often reaching advanced age. With good care and a lot of love, Miniature Fox Terrier may live up to 16-20 years and sometimes beyond. Factors that influence their lifespan include a proper diet, ample exercise, a sense of belonging, how happy the pup is, and space to run around.

Final Thoughts

Life is never boring with a Miniature Fox Terrier. They are consistently high energy levels that stick with them for life, typical for mini dogs.

Furthermore, it is a long life. Miniature Fox Terries can live up to 15 years and beyond, though there are specific health issues you must watch out for.

The Miniature Fox Terrier is an affectionate and loyal dog. They can be violent and scrappy towards other dogs, but they love caring and are committed and protective toward their pack. These dogs are easy to groom and train, so if you need a pup that is not high maintenance, the Miniature Fox Terrier’s care requirements will make you smile.

Generally, if you are looking for a family companion who is an active participant in all of your activities, then the Miniature Fox Terrier is the best choice for you. Their temperament and personality can make the pup a good match for your family.

Featured Image Credit: Kazz Smith, Shutterstock