Fox Terrier

The very first Wire Fox Terrier to be officially recognised and recorded was a dog called Old Tip. The Master of the Sinnington Hounds bred him in Yorkshire in the mid eighteen hundreds and although his pedigree remains a bit of mystery he is the foundation of the terriers that are around today.

The Smooth Fox Terrier is believed to have been created by crossing Old English Terriers with Bull Terriers smooth coated black and tans Greyhounds and Beagles. The result was a terrier that could be used with foxhounds and their job on the hunting field was to indicate just where a fox had gone to ground. Their history can be traced to around the middle of the 19th century but at the time broken coated and smooth coated terriers were classed together as a single breed.

The Wire Fox Terrier is thought to have the same ancestry as the smooth coated terrier and history shows they were used in the hunting field in much the same way as their smooth coated counterparts. However it was much later that the two terriers were separated as enthusiasts developed the Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers that we see today.

In 1876 the first breed standard was established by Officers of the Fox Terrier Club and little has been changed to this day. With this said today’s breed standard is clearer on how much these terriers should weigh and that they should no longer have their tails docked unless they fall under the exemption clause for working dogs in England and Wales.

Today although Fox Terriers are registered as a vulnerable native breed their numbers are rising in the home environment as family pets and companions thanks to their fun-loving and devoted natures as well as their charming looks.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Fox Terrier a vulnerable breed? Fox Terriers are registered as a vulnerable native breed although over recent years these charming dogs have become a popular companion and family pet in the UK with their popularity standing at 73 out of 238 breeds on the Pets4homes website
• The Kennel Club now recognises that the Smooth coated Fox Terrier and the Wire coated Fox Terrier are two separate breeds
• The breed is always a great hit in the show ring
• Charles Darwin was a fan of the breed and owned Fox Terriers
• King Edward VII owed a Fox Terrier called Caesar
• The RCA-Victor dog is a Fox Terrier
• Traditionally Fox Terriers had their tails docked but since the law banning tail docking came into effect it is now illegal for the breed to have their tails docked unless a dog falls under the exemption rules as set out under the legislation in both England and Wales. However there is a total ban on tail docking in Scotland

The very first Wire Fox Terrier to be officially recognised and recorded was a dog called Old Tip. The Master of the Sinnington Hounds bred him in Yorkshire in the mid eighteen hundreds and although his pedigree remains a bit of mystery he is the foundation of the terriers we see today.

The Smooth Fox Terrier is believed to have been created by crossing Old English Terriers with Bull Terriers smooth coated black and tans Greyhounds and Beagles. The result was a terrier that could be used with foxhounds and their job on the hunting field was to indicate just where a fox had gone to ground. Their history can be traced to around the middle of the 19th century but at the time broken coated and smooth coated terriers were classed together as a single breed.

The Wire Fox Terrier is thought to have the same ancestry as the smooth coated terrier and history shows they were used in the hunting field in much the same way as their smooth coated counterparts. However it was much later that the two terriers were separated as enthusiasts developed the Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers that we see today.

In 1876 the first breed standard was established by Officers of the Fox Terrier Club and little has been changed to this day. With this said today’s breed standard is clearer on how much these terriers should weigh and that they should no longer have their tails docked.

Height at the withers: Males 36 - 41 cm Females 33 - 38 cm

Average weight: Males 7 - 9 kg Females 6 - 8 kg

Fox Terriers are lively alert little dogs that always give the impression of being ready to take chase after anything that takes their fancy. They exhibit a lot of strength in a small package and always have a keen expression in their eyes. Their head is flat and quite narrow with just a slight hint of a stop. They have strong muscular muzzles and neat black noses.

They boast having dark smallish circular eyes that boast an alert and intelligent expression. Their ears are small and V-shaped which drop forward close to a dog's cheeks with the leathers being moderately thick. They boast a perfect scissor bite where the upper teeth neatly overlap the lower ones and their necks are muscular longish being wider at the shoulder.

The Fox Terrier has well laid back long sloping shoulders with fine points. Their withers are clean cut and front legs nice and straight with strong bone from the elbow down to a dog's feet. They have deep chests and short level backs and powerful slightly arched loins. Their foreribs being moderately sprung whereas their back ribs are deep.

Hindquarters are muscular and strong and Fox Terriers have long and powerful thighs and strong back legs. Their feet are compact round and small with hard pads and moderately arched toes. Tails are set high and carried happily but never over a Fox Terrier's back.

When it comes to their coat the smooth coated Fox Terrier has a flat straight thick and hard to the touch coat. The accepted breed colours for Kennel Club registration are as follows:

• Black & White
• Tan & White
• Tricolour
• White
• White & Black
• White & Tan

Gait/movement

When a Fox Terrier moves they do so with their front and back legs moving straight forward in a parallel motion. A dog's elbows move in a perpendicular motion to their body and their stifles do not turn inwards or outwards while their hocks remain nicely apart. Fox Terriers have a lot of drive from their hindquarters when they move.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any exaggerations or departures from the breed standard and would judge the faults on how much they affect a dog's overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform.

Males should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums and it is worth noting that a dog can be a little lighter or heavier as well as slightly taller or shorter than set out in the Kennel Club breed standard which is given as a guideline only.

Fox Terriers are renowned for being friendly and fearless little dogs that boast a ton of energy and personality. They are one of the busiest of all "terrier" breeds and considered as being among the best watchdogs on the planet because of the speed at which let an owner know when there are any strangers about. They form strong bonds with their families and will protect them if they think a member is being threatened in any way.

Because they are high-energy terriers they need to be well socialised from a young age and their training needs to start early for them to be truly well-rounded obedient dogs and even then their training must continue throughout their lives always making sure it is consistent.

One thing these little terriers cannot resist doing is digging and they will happily dig up a lawn and flower beds when the mood takes them or when boredom sets in. They were bred to do just this and it's an instinct that's deeply embedded in a Fox Terrier's psyche.

However with the correct training and handling these little dogs can be taught not to dig up the garden carpets and furniture bearing in mind that Fox Terriers are highly skilled "diggers" which is something that needs to be gently curbed when dogs are still young and before it turns into a real problem. Fox Terriers can be a little dominant when they meet other dogs but with the right amount of socialisation at a young age this type of behaviour can be successfully controlled.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Fox Terriers are the perfect choice for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and people-oriented loving nothing more than to please and to be in a family environment. However they are one of the more energetic terrier breeds around and therefore anyone wanting to share a home with a Fox Terrier would need to have the time needed to dedicate to such an intelligent active canine companion.

What about prey drive?

Fox Terriers are keen hunters and therefore have a high prey drive which is why they need to be kept on a lead when walking near livestock and wildlife. Because their hunting instinct is so well developed a Fox Terrier sees smaller animals and pets as fair game more especially if they try to run away. With this said many Fox Terriers enjoy the "chase" because they adore any sort of game that involves chasing something which includes balls and other toys.

What about playfulness?

Fox Terriers are extremely playful and fun-loving by nature which is why they make such wonderful family pets. They adore playing interactive games with the kids although playtime can get quite boisterous which all Fox Terriers love. They remain very puppy-like right through to their golden years and will happily entertain the people they love whenever they can with their silly antics.

What about adaptability?

Fox Terriers are highly adaptable dogs providing they are given enough daily physical exercise combined with as much mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in. They are just as happy living in an apartment in town as they would be living in a house in the country providing they are kept busy and never left to their own devices for great lengths of time.

What about separation anxiety?

Fox Terriers form strong bonds with their families and love nothing more than to be with the people they love. They are never very happy when they find themselves left on their own for longer periods of time which is why they are better suited to people who either work from home or in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they are never alone for any length of time which could see a dog suffering from separation anxiety. This can lead to them being destructive around the home which is a dog's way of relieving any stress they are feeling and a way to keep themselves entertained.

What about excessive barking?

Fox Terriers like the sound of their own voices bearing in mind they were bred to "bark" to show their hunter masters where a fox or other prey had gone to ground. As such it is a trait that is deeply embedded in their psyche and therefore it can be challenging to curb a Fox Terrier's desire to bark which must be gently done when a puppy is still young.

Do Fox Terriers like water?

Most Fox Terriers love swimming and will take to the water whenever they can more especially when the weather is hot. However if anyone who owns a dog that does not like water should never force them to go in because it would just end up scaring them. With this said care should always be taken when walking a Fox Terrier off the lead anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case a dog decides to leap in and then needs rescuing if they get themselves into trouble.

Are Fox Terriers good watchdogs?

Fox Terriers natural watchdogs and are very quick to let an owner know when there are strangers about or when something they don't like is going on around them. However they rarely would a Fox Hound show any sort of aggression when they are guarding or protecting their owners and their property.

Although intelligent Fox Terriers are known to have a bit of a stubborn streak which means it can be a bit of a challenge to train them to do things and this includes on the "obedience" front. With this said in the right hands and with the right sort of consistent training and firm guidance these little terriers can be taught to do as they are told which includes to stop digging and barking incessantly for no reason.

It's essential for Fox Terriers to be taught the basic commands from an early age because the two things they like to do most is to dig and bark at any opportunity. Having been taught the right commands it is possible to curb these two behavioural issues and to nip the problems in the bud. With this said it is safer to walk a Fox Terrier on a lead when out in a park or in the countryside or they might take off after something they've spotted in the distance totally ignoring any recall commands.

Puppies must be taught the ground rules right from the word go so they understand what is expected of them bearing in mind that Fox Terriers will always test the rules and boundaries whenever they can which is the mischievous side to their natures. The first commands a Fox Terrier puppy should be taught are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

Smooth Fox Terriers are known to get on well with children and seem to have a real affinity with kids of all ages which is why many people choose the breed as a family pet. However they have had a reputation for being a bit snappy if pushed and pulled around which is why they need to be well socialised and introduced to as many new things early in their lives as possible. Any interaction between dogs and very young children should be supervised by an adult to make sure things remain calm and that neither the dog or the kids get too boisterous which could end up scaring or injuring a smaller child.

Fox Terriers should be carefully introduced to cats and other pets in the home when they are young and even then care has to be taken because they will chase a smaller animals including the family cat just for the fun of it. Some Fox Terriers can show aggression towards other dogs if they are not well socialised from a young enough age and why they should be kept on leads when walking in a dog park.

The average life expectancy of a Fox Terrier is between 13 and 14 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

Fox Terriers are robust little dogs and they don't suffer from the sort of hereditary and congenital health issues that so frequently plague other pedigree dogs. However they may suffer from health disorders which includes the following:

• Degenerative myelopathy - DNA test available and all breeding stock should be screened
• Allergies which includes atopy
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Myasthenia gravis - a neurological disorder
• Wolman disease - a condition that affects the body’s lipid storage
• Pulmonic stenosis - a heart disease that causes narrowing of the pulmonary artery
• Ataxia
• Patellar luxation
• Haemophilia B (Wired haired)
• Epilepsy (Wired haired)
• Cancers (Wired haired)

It is also worth noting that Fox Terriers do not do well in very hot climates but they thrive in cooler ones.

What about vaccinations?

Fox Terrier puppies would have been given their initial vaccinations before being sold but it is up to their new owners to make sure they have their follow-up shots in a timely manner with the vaccination schedule for puppies being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A lot of vets these days recommend waiting until dogs are slightly older before spaying and neutering them which means they are more mature before undergoing the procedures. As such they advise neutering males and spaying females when they are between the ages of 6 to 9 months old and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old.

Other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are 6 months old but never any earlier unless for medical reasons. With this said many breeds are different and it is always advisable to discuss things with a vet and then follow their advice on when a dog should be spayed or neutered because there may be medical reasons for doing so earlier or later.

What about obesity problems?

Some Fox Terriers gain weight when they are spayed or neutered and it's important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline just in case they do. If a dog starts to put on weight it's important to adjust their daily calorie intake and to up the amount of exercise they are given. Older dogs too are more prone to gaining weight and again it's essential they be fed and exercised accordingly because obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years. The reason being that it puts a lot of extra strain on a dog's internal organs including the heart.

What about allergies?

Fox Terriers are prone to suffering from allergies and it's important for a dog to see a vet sooner rather than later if one flares up because the later a condition is diagnosed and treated the harder it is to treat. Allergies can be notoriously hard to clear up and finding the triggers can prove challenging. With this said a vet would be able to make a dog with an allergy more comfortable while they try to find out the triggers which could include the following:

• Certain foods more especially commercial pet foods with high levels of cereals in them
• Airborne pollens
• Dust mites
• Environment
• Flea and tick bites
• Chemicals found in everyday household cleaning products

Participating in health schemes

All responsible Fox Terrier breeders would ensure that their stud dogs are tested for known hereditary and congenital health issues known to affect the breed by using the following scheme:

• DNA test for Degenerative myelopathy

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

Apart from the standard breeding restrictions for all Kennel Club registered breeds there are no other breed specific breeding restrictions for the Fox Terrier.

What about Assured Breeder Requirements?

Currently there are no BVA/KC health tests for the Fox Terrier but all breeders should have stud dogs tested using the following scheme:

• DNA test for Degenerative myelopathy

As with any other breed Fox Terriers need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this they need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for a Fox Terrier puppy

Fox Terrier puppies are boisterous and full of life which means it's essential for homes and gardens to be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have well socialised their puppies which always leads to more outgoing confident and friendly dogs right from the word go. With this said any puppy is going to feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates which must be taken into account. The longer a puppy can remain with their mother the better although it should never be for too long either.

It's best to pick a puppy up when people are going to be around for the first week or so which is the time needed for a puppy to settle in. Puppy-proofing the home and garden means putting away any tools and other implements that a boisterous puppy might injure themselves on. Electric wires and cables must be put out of their reach because puppies love chewing on things. Toxic plants should be removed from flowerbeds and the home too.

Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should which means setting up a quiet area that's not too out of the way means they can retreat to it when they want to nap and it's important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It's also a good idea to keep "playtime" nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden which means puppies quickly learn to be less boisterous when they are inside.

The documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is as follows:

• Puppies should be wormed at 6 months old
• They need to be wormed again when they are 8 months old
• Puppies should be wormed when they are 10 months old
• They need to be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you'll need for your puppy

There are certain items that new owners need to already have in the home prior to bringing a new puppy home. It's often a good idea to restrict how much space a puppy plays in more especially when you can't keep an eye on what they get up to bearing in mind that puppies are often quite boisterous which means investing in puppy gates or a large enough playpen that allows a Fox Terrier puppy the room to express themselves while keeping them safe too. The items needed are therefore as follows:

• Good quality puppy or baby gates to fit on doors
• A good well-made playpen that's large enough for a puppy to play in so they can really express themselves as puppies like to do
• Lots of well-made toys which must include good quality chews suitable for puppies to gnaw on bearing in mind that a puppy will start teething anything from when they are 3 to 8 months old
• Good quality feed and water bowls which ideally should be ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A grooming glove
• A slicker brush or soft bristle brush
• Dog specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Nail clippers
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner which must be specifically formulated for use on dogs
• A well-made dog collar or harness
• A couple of strong dog leads
• A well-made dog bed that's not too small or too big
• A well-made dog crate for use in the car and in the home that's large enough for a puppy to move around in
• Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and in their beds for when they want to nap or go to sleep at night

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are sensitive to noise including Fox Terrier puppies. It's important to keep the noise levels down when a new puppy arrives in the home. TVs and music should not be played too loud which could end up stressing a small puppy out.

Keeping vet appointments

As previously mentioned Fox Terrier puppies would have been given their first vaccinations by the breeders but they must have their follow up shots which is up to their new owners to organise. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

When it comes to boosters it's best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However if a dog ever needed to go into kennels their vaccinations would need to be

What about older Fox Terrier when they reach their senior years?

Older Fox Terriers need lots of special care because as they reach their golden years they are more at risk of developing certain health concerns. Physically a dog's muzzle may start to go grey but there will be other noticeable changes too which includes the following:

• Coats become coarser
• A loss of muscle tone
• Fox Terriers can either become overweight or underweight
• They have reduced strength and stamina
• Older dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperature
• They often develop arthritis
• Immune systems do not work as efficiently as they once did which means dogs are more susceptible to infections

Older dogs change mentally too which means their response time tends to be slower as such they develop the following:

• They respond less to external stimuli due to impaired vision or hearing
• They tend to be a little pickier about their food
• They have a lower pain threshold
• Become intolerant of any change
• Often an older dog can feel disorientated

Living with a Fox Terrier in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities but these are easily managed and should include taking a look at their diet the amount of exercise they are given how often their dog beds need changing and keeping an eye on the condition of their teeth.

Older dogs need to be fed a good quality diet that meets their needs at this stage of their lives all the while keeping a close eye on a dog's weight. A rough feeding guide for older Fox Terriers is as follows bearing in mind they should be fed highly digestible food that does not contain any additives:

• Protein content should be anything from 14 – 21%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• Fibre content should be less than 4%
• Calcium content should be 0.5 – 0.8%
• Phosphorous content should be 0.4 – 0.7%
• Sodium content should be 0.2 – 0.4%

Older Fox Terriers don't need to be given the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and to prevent a dog from putting on too much weight. All dogs need access to fresh clean water and this is especially true of older dogs when they reach their golden years because they are more at risk of developing kidney disorders.

Wire coated Fox Terriers need a little more in the way of coat care than their smooth coated counterparts but with this said both are not high maintenance dogs and only really need to be wiped over with a grooming mitt on a regular basis to remove any dead or loose hair. Wire Fox Terriers need to be brushed regularly with a slicker brush to take out any dead hair and to prevent any knots or tangles from forming in their coats.

A Fox Terrier's coat does need to be hand stripped several times a year which is best left to a professional groomer because it takes time to do and it's important that it be done correctly. It's also important for a Wire Fox Terrier's coat to be trimmed when a puppy is about 3 months old to get them used to the process.

Fox Terriers are high energy dogs which means they need to be given the right amount of exercise but they also need a tone of mental stimulation or boredom sets in and this is when all the trouble starts. They need to be taken out for several long walks a day and they enjoy taking part in activities like Flyball which they are very good at.

Fox Terriers also benefit from being allowed to romp around in a back garden as often as possible but the fencing needs to be ultra-secure or their instincts may just get the better of them and if there is one thing these terriers are very good at it's digging their way out of a garden.

If you get a Fox Terrier puppy from a breeder they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.

Older dogs are not known to be fussy or finicky eaters but this does not mean you can feed them a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day once in the morning and then again in the evening making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.

Feeding guide for a Fox Terrier puppy

Puppies need to be fed a highly nutritious good quality diet for them to develop and grow as they should. As a rough guide a Fox Terrier puppy can be fed the following amounts every day making sure their meals are evenly spread out throughout the day and it's best to feed them 3 or 4 times a day:

• 2 months old - 102g to 145g depending on puppy's build
• 3 months old - 118g to 170g depending on puppy's build
• 4 months old - 124g to 181g depending on puppy's build
• 5 months old - 125g to 184g depending on puppy's build
• 6 months old - 124g to 183g depending on puppy's build
• 7 months old - 112g to 166g depending on puppy's build
• 8 months old - 100g to 148g depending on puppy's build
• 9 months old - 89g to 132g depending on puppy's build
• 10 months old - 88g to 131g depending on puppy's build

Once a puppy is 11 months old they can be fed adult dog food.

Feeding guide for an adult Fox Terrier

Once fully mature an adult Fox Terrier must be fed a good quality diet to ensure their continued good health. As a rough guide an adult Fox Terrier can be fed the following amounts every day:

• Dogs weighing 6 kg can be fed 92g to 106g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 7 kg can be fed 103g to 119g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 8 kg can be fed 114g to 132g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 9 kg can be fed 125g to 144g depending on activity

If you are looking to buy a Fox Terrier you would need to pay anything from £500 to over £1000 for a well-bred pedigree puppy. The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old Fox Terrier in northern England would be £18.34 a month for basic cover but for a lifetime policy this would set you back £42.92 a month (quote as of October 2017). When insurance companies calculate a pet's premium they factor in several things which includes where you live in the UK and a dog's age and whether they have been neutered or spayed.

When it comes to food costs you need to buy the best quality food whether wet or dry to feed your dog throughout their lives making sure it suits the different stages of their lives. This would set you back between £30 - £40 a month. On top of this you would need to factor in veterinary costs if you want to share your home with a Fox Terrier and this includes their initial vaccinations their annual boosters the cost of neutering or spaying your dog when the time is right and then their yearly health checks all of which quickly adds up to over a £1000 a year.

As a rough guide the average cost to keep and care for a Fox Terrier would be between £70 to £100 a month depending on the level of insurance cover you opt to buy for your dog but this does not include the initial cost of buying a healthy well-bred Kennel Club registered pedigree Fox Terrier puppy.

When visiting and buying any puppy or dog there are many important things to consider and questions to ask of the breeder/seller. You can read our generic puppy/dog advice here which includes making sure you see the puppy with its mother and to verify that the dog has been wormed and microchipped.

Fox Terriers are among some of the most popular dogs in the UK which means that well-bred puppies command a lot of money more especially as not many are availablel every year. As such with Fox Terriers there is specific advice questions and protocols to follow when buying a puppy which are as follows:

• Beware of online scams and how to avoid them. You may see online and other adverts by scammers showing images of beautiful Fox Terrier puppies for sale at very low prices. However the sellers ask buyers for money up front before agreeing to deliver a puppy to a new home. Potential buyers should never buy a puppy unseen and should never pay a deposit or any other money online to a seller. You should always visit the pet at the sellers home to confirm they are genuine and make a note of their address.
• As previously touched upon Fox Terriers are among the most popular breeds in the UK. As such there are many amateur breeders/people who breed from Fox Terrier bitch far too often so they can make a quick profit without caring for the welfare of the puppies their dam or the breed in general. Under Kennel Club rules a dam can only produce 4 litters and she must be between a certain age to do so. Anyone wishing to buy a Fox Terrier puppy should think very carefully about who they purchase their puppy from and should always ask to see the relevant paperwork pertaining to a puppy's lineage their vaccinations and their microchipping
• Traditionally Fox Terriers had their tails docked but since the law banning tail docking came into effect it is now illegal for the breed to have their tails docked unless a dog falls under the exemption rules as set out under the legislation in both England and Wales. However there is a total ban on tail docking in Scotland. Prospective Fox Terrier owners should be aware that tail docking without the necessary documentation is illegal and carries a heavy fine