Overview
The Miniature Fox Terrier, known at home as the Mini Foxie, was developed in Australia from small Fox Terriers and other toy and terrier types to control rats and rabbits around farms and city yards. It is a fine-boned, smooth-coated dog with erect or semi-erect ears, usually white with black or tan markings, and rarely more than five and a half kilos.
Its size has no bearing on its self-image. This is a bold, quick, intelligent terrier that will challenge a dog ten times its weight and chase anything furry. It is also affectionate and lively and makes a cheerful walking companion if you keep its ambitions in check.
Exercise and walking needs
Fifty minutes a day across two walks, with some time to run flat out in a safe area, keeps a Mini Foxie fit. They are fast and love a sprint and a game, but the legs are short and they tire before their enthusiasm does.
The thin coat gives no protection from cold or rain. A coat from autumn to spring and a quick towel at the end of the walk are standard.
On the walk
- Prey drive: Rats, mice, squirrels and birds all trigger a fast dash. Keep the lead on near roads and watch under hedges and around bins.
- Other dogs: Size-blind and bold, which is dangerous with the wrong large dog. Manage introductions carefully and keep the dog out of rowdy groups.
- Recall: Reasonable when nothing is moving. Use a long line in open spaces and an enclosed area for true free running.
- Barking: Terrier alarm calls at anything new. Reward quiet and keep moving rather than letting the dog stand and shout.
Tips for professional walkers
- Carry a coat for the dog and check for shivering on cold days.
- Use a harness with a handle; being able to lift the dog clear of a tangle is useful.
- Choose routes where you can see other dogs coming from a distance.
- Give the dog a few minutes of scent work on each walk to settle it.
What to ask the owner
- How does the dog react to larger dogs, and has it ever been hurt by one?
- Any knee or dental issues, both of which small terriers can carry?
- Does the dog wear a coat, and how does it cope with rain?