This
month, I am going to give you my interpretation of the Toy Fox
Terrier (TFT) breed standard. I have made a number of corrections
based on my close observation of the breed (the ones that live
in my house) for the past 3 1⁄2 years. Please note that
the following is a completely subjective opinion and is not meant
to be used as a tool for judging, breeding or evaluating Toy Fox
Terriers. In fact, it’s not much good for anything except
taking up space in here.
History
The immediate ancestor of the Toy Fox Terrier is the
Hoover Canister Vacuum Cleaner Model 1442A, developed around 1940.
The Hoover was bred to the Mohair sweater and the Chatty Cathy
doll to create the modern Toy Fox Terrier.
General Appearance
The TFT is small in size, with a body that is round when
viewed from any angle. The length of the head, neck and legs are
obscured by the shape of the body. They look like a football on
4 sticks. They are easily trained to eat, but training them for
anything else requires bribery and the patience of Job.
Characteristics
The TFT is self-possessed, spirited and has little consideration
for anything or anyone unless (1) It is food or (2) It is a person
who has food. The TFT is also alert, willing to bark at any noise
like a car pulling into the driveway, a slamming door, a pillow
falling on a bed or a cotton ball hitting the floor.
Head
The head is that little pointy thing on one end of the
dog, not to be confused with the tail, which is at the opposite
end. If you’re not sure if the pointy thing is a head or
a tail, wave that end at a cheeseburger; if the cheeseburger disappears,
yep, that was the head.
Neck
The neck connects the head (see above) to the body. Usually
it is invisible, because the body has swelled up to the point
that the neck is totally hidden. So, if you want to attach a leash
to your TFT, you might try putting it around the body or maybe
a leg.
Forequarters
Yes, they are there. Somewhere.
Body
As I said before, it looks like a football, or the Hindenburg,
depending on the size of your TFT. If your dog’s body has
“Spaulding” written on it, it probably is a football.
If it has helium leaking from it, it is probably the Hindenburg.
If it is a football, throw it over your neighbor’s fence.
If it is the Hindenburg, KEEP IT AWAY FROM ANY OPEN FLAMES!
Hindquarters
They are strong enough to allow your TFT to leap onto
any chair, counter or table in search of food or to run top speed
when it’s time to bathe them, cut their nails or clean their
teeth. Outside of that, they are rarely in use.
Feet
There are four of them, and they have nails that grow
like Jack’s Magic Beans. Good luck cutting them.
Tail
The tail is the little wiggly thing at the end opposite
the mouth. It doesn’t eat anything. It doesn’t need
much attention at all. I think this is my favorite part of the
dog.
Coat
The coat is short and shiny. TFTs do shed, but usually
only twice a year for about six months at a time. Don’t
wear black during these periods.
Color
White. With some other color, but white is the important
one, because you can’t see colored hair as easily on your
clothes as you can see white.
Weight
While they are being shown, it’s under control.
That means from 3 1⁄2 pounds to 7 pounds. After they are
retired and living within 1000 yards of the refrigerator, they
can balloon up to 85 pounds or so in a week.
Gait
Usually a little trot, except when they see the flash
of the refrigerator light or hear the opening of a cabinet door.
Then it becomes a blinding, world land speed record gallop.
Disqualifications
Spaulding written on side. Helium leaks. Picky eater.
