Is the Miniature Fox Terrier a good family dog?
Miniature Fox Terrier
Miniature Fox Terriers are courageous and energetic small-sized dogs that are popular with Australian families and on farms where they work as vermin catchers. They are affectionate and confident, animated, entertaining and playful. Both a lapdog and a watchdog, they love to be pampered, love an adventure and roughhousing, and love to bark at strangers.
| Recommended for | Families & singles |
| Breed Classification | Toy group |
| Other names | Mini Foxie, Toy Fox Terrier (USA) |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
| Size | Small |
| Temperament | Lively & courageous |
| Intelligence | Average |
| Tendency to bark | Above average |
| Maintenance Level | Medium |
| Health Risk | This breed is in the lower risk category for developing health issues, hence it is one of the most affordable breeds to insure. |
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Explore the Top 5 health issues claimed for Miniature Fox Terriers, including highest claims paid and how much pet insurance could help you save on eligible vet bills.
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Miniature Fox Terrier personality and temperament
The Miniature Fox Terrier is an affectionate, alert and inquisitive dog who shows loyalty to its owners. Courageous and confident, the Mini Foxie is eager to learn.
They have a defensive attitude that is reflected in their tendency to bark at strangers walking past the house and coming into their home. They are adaptable to most domestic situations, including small apartments, as long as their barking can be controlled.
Animated, entertaining and playful, Mini Foxies love to be pampered and treated like the king or queen of the household. Both a lapdog and a watchdog who love an adventure and roughhousing, they need to be well-trained to avoid small dog syndrome.
Miniature Fox Terriers with kids and other pets
Mini Foxies are good with children who are old enough to distinguish between a dog and a plush toy, so they do better in households with slightly older children. They can be very defensive of small children if they are raised together.
They make good family pets and tend to get along well with other animals if they are raised together or introduced to each other as companions.
However, keep in mind their high prey drive, especially around small furry animals like Guinea pigs or rats. Like all terriers, the Mini Fox Terrier cannot distinguish between pet rodents or pet reptiles and vermin, and should not be left alone with such animals.
Miniature Fox Terrier training and exercise
For such tiny dogs, Mini Foxies have a high level of exercise needs. It’s recommended that owners walk them daily.
This breed also has high energy levels, so it’s important to allow them to use that energy throughout the day to avoid a restless dog at night.
Mini Foxies need regular training from a young age or they could suffer from small dog syndrome. They are very easy to train and do not require a lot of effort to be put into this activity.
| Energy level | High |
| Exercise requirements | Medium |
Common health issues for Miniature Fox Terriers
What do Miniature Fox Terrier owners claim for the most?
- Patellar luxation is a very common issue among smaller dogs, occurring when the animal’s kneecap becomes dislocated from its thigh bone. It can be spotted if your dog limps or skips steps and this can start as young as 6 months old. Treatment can be as minor as a massage or as major as surgery.
- Demodectic mange is caused by a demodex mite, which is passed from the mother dog to her pups when they are very young. It lives in the hair follicles and can present as patches of red, scaly skin with bald spots on the head, neck and forelegs.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs when blood supply to the hip area is decreased and is a common disease amongst the toy breeds. Symptoms can include limping or staggering. The condition can usually be corrected with simple surgery.
- Von Willebrand’s disease causes clotting problems in the blood. This can lead to excessive loss of blood after a cut, surgery or trauma and can result in a number of serious health issues.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
How to choose the right insurance for your Miniature Fox Terrier
When comparing cover for your Miniature Fox Terrier, look for:
Cover for common Miniature Fox Terrier conditions:
Check that the policy covers conditions Miniature Fox Terriers can be prone to, including common health issues.
Cover for hereditary conditions:
No exclusions for hereditary or congenital conditions⑅.
Flexible cover options:
Options to adjust your annual benefit limit, reimbursement rate and excess.
Bow Wow Meow's Nose-to-Tail Cover offers flexible options for your Miniature Fox Terrier, with cover for accidental injuries, illnesses and hereditary conditions⑅. Get a quick quote for cover that suits your Miniature Fox Terrier and your budget.
Miniature Fox Terrier feeding and nutrition
The Miniature Fox Terrier should be fed a high-quality dog food appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior), size and level of activity.
Because of their small size, adult Mini Foxies need only a small amount of food (around half a cup of dry food) divided into 2 meals per day.
Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.
Miniature Fox Terrier care and grooming
Mini Foxies tend to shed a lot of hair, so regular grooming is necessary. With their short, smooth coats, they are relatively easy to groom.
Their nails tend to grow fast, so clipping their nails once a month is recommended.
Size, appearance and coat of Miniature Fox Terriers
The miniature Fox Terrier is a small sized, smooth coated terrier with a well balanced, athletic appearance that reflects a swift and agile natural hunter with the ability to spring.
Its distinctive physical characteristics include a predominantly white coat on its body, a darker-coloured head, large, erect ears and dark eyes.
Miniature Fox Terriers have a short and sleek coat, which may get longer at the neck. They come in a variety of colours that include black, white, brown, and tan, but they should be predominantly white with black and/or tan markings.
| Weight range | Up to 6 kg |
| Height range | 24 to 30 cm |
| Colours | Predominantly white with black and/or tan markings |
| Coat length | Short |
Breed history of Miniature Fox Terriers
The Miniature Fox Terrier’s ancestors, most likely small Smooth Fox Terriers and Manchester Terriers, were brought to Australia by early settlers from England. Mini Foxies were first bred in Australia some time in the mid to late 19th century and have subsequently been bred here for generations.
The breed developed along similar lines as the American Toy Fox Terrier. Its breeders were seeking a light, fast dog that would retain the characteristics of the Fox Terrier, while more suited to hunting smaller pests such as rabbits and rodents. Smaller puppies from early litters were further bred and later crossed with other small breeds such as English Toy Terrier and Italian Greyhound.
Nowadays, the breed has shifted from being a farmer’s best friend to also being a suburban family’s best friend.
Explore related breeds
Miniature Fox Terrier facts!
- Miniature Fox Terriers are not very well-known outside of Australia and New Zealand.
- Swimmer Ian Thorpe and figure skater Sean Carlow are two renowned Aussies who own Mini Foxies.
- The demand for Mini Foxies on Australian farms is high and continues to rise.
- There have been some Mini Foxies who have lived for up to 20 years!
Summary
The Miniature Fox Terrier is a courageous, energetic small dog popular with Australian families and on farms, where it has traditionally worked as a vermin catcher. Affectionate, confident, animated and playful, it combines companion-dog charm with true terrier spirit.
Mini Foxies enjoy both affection and adventure and can be equally happy being pampered or joining in active play. They are also alert watchdogs and often bark at strangers, so they suit owners who appreciate a lively, vocal little dog.
FAQs about the Miniature Fox Terrier
They can be lively, affectionate family companions, particularly for owners who enjoy an energetic, confident terrier personality.
Moderate to high. Daily walks, play and mental enrichment are important, with regular opportunities for more active exercise.
They are intelligent but can be independent or strong-willed, so patient, consistent reward-based training and early socialisation are important.
They are generally low to moderate or moderate barkers, although barking can increase with boredom, excitement, anxiety or unfamiliar activity.
Yes. They generally shed a low to moderate or moderate amount and benefit from routine brushing.
They can adapt to apartment living in the right circumstances, but owners need to meet their daily exercise, enrichment and behavioural needs consistently.
They can live happily with respectful children and other pets when well socialised, but their small or delicate size means interactions with young children should be closely supervised.
Potential health concerns include patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, dental problems and some eye disorders.
MORE INFORMATION
Mini Foxie Club of Australia: http://www.minifoxie.org/
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