- Smooth Fox Terrier Breed Intro
- Smooth Fox Terrier Breed History
- Smooth Fox Terrier Breed Intelligence
- Health Conditions That Affect the Smooth Fox Terrier Breed
- Psychological Health
- Physical Health
- Smooth Fox Terrier Puppies Are Great Dogs
Smooth Fox Terrier Breed Intro
The Smooth Fox Terrier is an active dog who is happy to befriend anybody. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are energetic and outgoing dogs, and they get along with people who are willing to waste time just as much as they are. Currently, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies participate in dog shows and competitions. Sometimes, people can spot a Smooth Fox Terrier puppy on the hunt in the countryside of the northeastern United States.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a lovable and intelligent dog breed. Because they have so much energy both mentally and physically, they need homes willing to match their mental and emotional needs. Smooth Fox Terriers would thrive in homes that are active and play puzzles with them. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies need adequate amounts of playtime to keep them entertained.
Because they need so much attention to maintain their best behavior, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are not the best dog breed to adopt for newbie dog owners. Smooth Fox Terrier owners need to be sure they can get them ample exercise daily. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies would do best in a warm climate with a lot of space, but don’t let that disappoint you, apartment dwellers. Even though Smooth Fox Terrier puppies love open space, where they live genuinely depends on how they get their daily activity. If you are adamant about providing walks around the block daily along with an occasional stroll through a green pasture, then Smooth Fox Terrier puppies will remain healthy and happy.
The Smooth Fox Terrier breed is a small-sized dog with the energy levels of a dog three times its size. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies stand up to 15 inches tall and weigh between 15 and 19 pounds. Smaller dogs tend to live longer on average, and the Smooth Fox Terrier has an average life expectancy of anywhere from 10 to 15 years.
Even though Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are as lovable and fun as any other dog, they aren’t widespread pets in today’s time. The Smooth Fox Terrier is usually participating in hunting or show circles. Even though Smooth Fox Terrier puppies aren’t as popular as the Labrador Retriever, they are excellent family dogs, and many people have grown to love them. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are a perfect size because they’re small enough to be portable, but they aren’t as fragile as other smaller dogs like a miniature Yorkshire Terrier. In fact, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are pretty rambunctious dogs, and their personalities are plenty proof of just how fiery their disposition is.
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies love playing with children and are friendly with most people. Even though Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are friendly with people, they don’t always do great with other dogs. Some Smooth Fox Terriers try to scrap with other dogs in the same households almost instinctually. Because the Smooth Fox Terrier is as confident as they are energetic, it can be dangerous to have one of these puppies trying to fight other dogs. Even dogs that are thrice their size are enough of a reason to fight unless they receive proper training. Properly trained Smooth Fox Terrier puppies would be great in families with other dogs and other pets. Even if you can’t socialize your rescued Smooth Fox Terrier when they’re a puppy, then you have to be able to provide consistent socialization lessons for them as an adult.
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have tons of self-confidence and love nothing more than sprinting out in a field. Because of these traits, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies can’t be trusted off-leash anywhere without a fence. Owners with fenced-in yards should periodically check their fences to ensure there haven’t been any escape routes dug out underneath them.
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies need plenty of mental and physical activity to exhaust them. Dogs that don’t meet their activity requirements will respond with less than desirable qualities. The qualities might present themselves in excessive barking, digging, chewing, or chasing other animals. Owners of Smooth Fox Terrier puppies will know that these dogs are at their best behavior when they’re tired, but most often, owners tire out before the dogs do.
This energetic quality is why Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are great for active families. If you’re the type of person that goes on daily walks, jogs, or runs, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are great for you. Anyone who wants a hiking partner should know Smooth Fox Terrier puppies would be great fits. They’re portable and active! To stay on their best behavior, they’ll need about 30 to 45 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. If you provide your dogs with activity by taking them on strolls around the neighborhood, that’s awesome. However, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies will likely need an hour of walking minimum, especially if at a leisurely pace.
In addition to being great hiking partners, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are excellent watchdogs. However, it can be challenging for a Smooth Fox Terrier to be a good watchdog if they haven’t taken training classes. If you have Smooth Fox Terrier puppies that bark at everything, you can’t really tell if your dog is alerting you to the mailman or an intruder. But a well-trained Smooth Fox Terrier would be a great watchdog. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are almost instinctually on guard, looking out for vermin so they can alert their families.
Potential Smooth Fox Terrier owners should know that these dogs are as mischievous as they are hyper. If there is an open pizza on the table, a Smooth Fox Terrier will sneak a piece for themselves. Owners need to be careful to train Smooth Fox Terrier puppies not to beg or steal food and should consider getting a lockable trashcan.
If you’re looking for a happy-go-lucky dog that can play fetch for hours, you’ve found your match. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies love toys, playing in the water, and long walks. They are happy to receive attention anywhere, and with their self-assured personalities, they are happy to steal the attention at any moment. Potential owners need to be prepared to take care of a Smooth Fox Terrier and all their breed habits. At their worst, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are destructive, loud, and hyper dogs that make other people rethink adopting dogs. At their best behavior, these adorable sweethearts are well-behaved laughter machines who will do almost anything to please their owners.
The Smooth Fox Terrier is an excellent breed to adopt if you are an active family. These graceful dogs make great family pets and can contribute so much joy to people. Any potential owners need to be ready to take care of Smooth Fox Terrier puppies.
Smooth Fox Terrier Breed History
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies emerged in the 18th century. At the time of this breed’s birth, both the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier were two parts of the same breed. These two breeds were called the Fox Terriers or Foxys for short. The breed was known to be outgoing, curious, and active.
The Smooth Fox Terrier became popular in England in the late 18th century because they proved to be great at sneaking into fox dens to bolt out and then drive the foxes out of their hiding places.
There isn’t much information on the history of this breed and its creation. Many believe that the Smooth Fox Terrier breed came from a mixture of other terriers and Bull Terriers, Greyhounds, and Beagles.
Around the 1880s, the Smooth Fox Terrier came to the United States, and the American Fox Terrier Club was born in 1885. The American Fox Terrier Club was the first specialty club to become a member of the American Kennel Club. The first Smooth Fox Terrier to be registered by the American Kennel Club was in 1885.
The Smooth Fox Terrier was the first breed in the fox terrier group to officially be recognized by the England Kennel Club in 1875.
The Smooth Fox Terrier was originally desirable so they could help hunters catch foxes. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies were great at their jobs and could successfully flush foxes out of their hidden smaller places. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies were great for ‘bolting’ foxes when they ran into their hiding places. Hunters used to prefer white Smooth Fox Terriers as they were less likely to be mistaken as foxes.
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have always been vigilant in nature, and they have become charming, sly pets as well. They have a controversy of being known as nuisance barkers, but properly trained and exercised Smooth Fox Terriers won’t get this bad behavior!
They are rascals in their own way and love living in the moment, enjoying everything life has to offer. If you’re an optimist or you need to be more optimistic, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies might be a great match for you.
Smooth Fox Terrier Breed Intelligence
The Smooth Fox Terrier breed is a very intelligent and trainable dog. In fact, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are willful and happy to learn as long as their owner is ready to offer consistent and firm training lessons. Firm training lessons are planned and serious, but they still involve positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement in training is the only way to successfully train your dog to listen to commands.
Because of their athleticism, light size, and intelligence, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have become known as escape artists. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies will find a way to jump over, dig under, or get around most blockages, so owners should be careful not to give Smooth Fox Terrier puppies the chance to escape.
Health Conditions That Affect the Smooth Fox Terrier Breed
Many health issues don’t appear in any dogs until they’re two years or older. However, the Smooth Fox Terrier is a relatively healthy dog breed. Even though Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are typically the picture of health, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies do have their fair share of health risks, just as every other dog does. The Smooth Fox Terrier is at risk of developing several less risky health conditions such as epilepsy and patellar luxation. A few of the health risks Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are at risk of won’t seriously alter or limit their quality of life. However, sometimes dogs in this breed can inherit life-altering health conditions such as heart diseases, deafness, or cataracts. Conditions like these can take keen senses away from your dog, such as their ability to hear or see. Some health issues like obesity or heart disease can result in your dog living a shortened lifespan.
Even though some of these conditions are a bit more severe than others, potential Smooth Fox Terrier owners should not feel stressed from this. Many dogs live their full lives without experiencing any of the below conditions. Being aware of the kind of health risks a certain dog breed has is like going into a new building and learning the fire escape route, just in case. Emergencies happen, but they aren’t common. Responsible owners will learn the signs and symptoms of different health conditions and be ready to ensure their Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are as healthy as possible.
Psychological Health
Cognitive health
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder seen in dogs, and out of all canine breeds and mixes, it appears in about .75% of the entire canine population. Epilepsy is a cognitive health disorder that begins in the brain and affects a dog’s whole body. Abnormalities cause this neurological health condition in the brain and lead to repetitive and random seizures. Even though Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are predisposed to developing this neurological condition, they are not very high risk.
Many dogs with epilepsy receive treatment that can lessen the number of seizures they have and make the seizures less reoccurring. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies can take medication to prevent attacks from occurring altogether, although it is much rarer to stop the attacks completely.
There are multiple forms of epilepsy a dog can suffer from, but a vet cannot provide treatment for epilepsy until they know what specific type a Smooth Fox Terrier puppy has. Typically, vets don’t know to start testing for epilepsy until an owner notices their dog begin to experience seizures or epileptic symptoms.
There are many types of seizures that a dog with epilepsy may experience. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have a small predisposed risk of experiencing epilepsy. When a Smooth Fox Terrier experiences this neurological disorder, they can have several different kinds of seizures. Other malformations typically cause various seizures in the brain. Also, dogs can experience attacks, not from epilepsy, but some seizures can give them epilepsy.
Two common types of seizures are focal seizures and generalized ones. Focal seizures originate from only one part of the brain and only affect a specific part of the body. Generalized seizures are essentially the opposite, and they begin on both hemispheres of the brain and present themselves on a dog’s whole body.
A Smooth Fox Terrier puppy may experience other seizures, including atonic, tonic, myoclonic, tonic-clonic, and cluster seizures. Tonic seizures appear in dogs when they flex their muscles for several minutes. Myoclonic episodes appear as a brief contraction of muscles or entire groups of muscles. Cluster seizures are what vets describe as a Smooth Fox Terrier with two or more seizures within twenty-four hours. Atonic attacks look as though a dog has a sudden loss of muscle mass for a few seconds or more. Tonic-clonic seizures occur when a dog experiences the tonic phase of attacks and quickly develops short clonic (jerking) movements for a few minutes.
Other less common types of seizures that a dog may experience include reactive seizures and reflexive seizures. Unlike the previous seizures mentioned, these two types of attacks can occur in any dog and don’t automatically mean a Smooth Fox Terrier has epilepsy. Reflexive seizures occur after the same inciting incident, and Smooth Fox Terrier puppies may experience reflexive attacks after flashing lights, loud noises, or traumatic events like thunderstorms. Reactive seizures arise because of specific stimuli causing this type of seizure, and metabolic derangements most often cause this type of seizure and are typically from toxins. Although reactive seizures are not an indication of epilepsy, these types of seizures can give Smooth Fox Terrier puppies epilepsy.
While status epilepticus is not a seizure, it is important to learn when understanding canine epilepsy. Status epilepticus is a severe condition that occurs when dogs have episodes very quickly and consecutively. Often this looks like a dog is having one seizure after another with no break or where a single attack lasts five minutes or more. Just like there are different types of seizures, there are different types of epilepsy, such as idiopathic, structural, and epilepsy of an unknown cause.
Idiopathic epilepsy is more common than any other type of epilepsy. This type of epilepsy is genetic and usually means an unidentifiable structural cause in the dog’s brain is causing them to have seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy can occur because of congenital disabilities or vascular traumas like strokes. Any Smooth Fox Terrier puppies that experience head trauma, intracranial tumors, or brain diseases can develop idiopathic epilepsy. This type of epilepsy can result from an inflamed brain disease or toxins in the system. Congenital malformations can give dogs idiopathic epilepsy as well. Most Smooth Fox Terrier puppies that receive an idiopathic epilepsy diagnosis are between one and five years old, and they often present normal neurological functions.
Some Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are born with structural issues in the brain and then develop structural epilepsy. Structural epilepsy has to have an identifiable structural problem in the brain to get diagnosed. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with this type of epilepsy can receive a diagnosis after a vet completes an MRI. Typically, an MRI will offer a look into the structural issue or an analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid can alert a vet that a dog has epilepsy. Smooth Fox Terriers with this type of epilepsy often show neurological problems between seizures and are typically outside the age range that idiopathic epilepsy gets diagnosed.
Epilepsy of an unknown cause is what vets diagnose epileptic Smooth Fox Terrier puppies when they cannot identify a structural malformation but suspect the cause of the seizures to be structural damage. Usually, dogs with this type of epilepsy are also outside the age range of idiopathic epilepsy.
Refractory epilepsy is another type of epilepsy that can only receive a diagnosis once a dog gets medication for its seizures. When seizure medication is no longer effective, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have refractory epilepsy. This type of epilepsy appears in 30 to 40% of all epileptic dogs.
For vets to diagnose and treat this condition accurately, they will need the owner’s assistance recognizing the dog’s symptoms. Owners need to keep a detailed journal of their dog’s behavior during and after seizures. Any voluntary movements that seem strange, like repetitive lip-smacking, licking, or chewing, should be noted. Owners should write down their dog’s behavior between seizures and after them, and they must keep track of the affected body parts, how long attacks last, when the attacks occur, and any symptoms their Smooth Fox Terrier puppies might show. Some Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have temporary blindness, difficulty standing, sedation, or unconsciousness. Also, owners should be sure to let their vets know about anything that happens right before the dog begins seizing since sometimes seizures can be a response to surrounding factors.
Treatment methods vary from dog to dog. Most cases of epilepsy can receive treatment with AEDs, also known as anti-epileptic drugs, and this medication is supposed to make seizures much less frequent. Not all medicines work equally in all Smooth Fox Terrier puppies, and many AEDs have extensive side effects. Some owners provide their Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with CBD as it has some history in preventing seizures altogether, but this treatment method is still very new. However, many owners have seen improvement in their epileptic dogs. Owners should always consult their vets before treating health conditions. There is no way to prevent epilepsy, and there is no actual cure for it.
Anxiety
Separation Anxiety
Smooth Fox Terriers are energetic, thoughtful, and very anxious dogs. Smaller dogs struggle with anxiety more than large dogs do, but this is due, in part, to the fact that most small dogs are supposed to be companions while many larger dog breeds were bred to complete specific tasks or jobs, and therefore, didn’t require as much time with their owners. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are very needy and should not be left alone for long hours at a time.
When owners leave their dogs, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with separation anxiety often panic, thinking their owners have abandoned them. This panic often results in destructive behaviors, like couch chewing, loud barking, or scratched doors and walls. Some animals can tell when their owners are about to leave the house and begin having symptoms of separation anxiety before they even do so. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies may try to prevent their owners from leaving by barking, blocking the doors, or possibly becoming aggressive.
Some Smooth Fox Terrier puppies experience more severe symptoms when they have separation anxiety, and, typically, the more severe their condition, the more intense the symptoms. Less anxious Smooth Fox Terriers will bark, howl, chew or dig when they’re left alone for too long, and some will try to escape their homes entirely by digging out an exit route. Some animals urinate or defecate, and some go farther, and they eat their feces. It can be hard to tell if your dog does this since the evidence would be gone, but owners may begin noticing strange stains popping up or a bad smell in the house upon their return.
Shelter dogs are more likely to experience this condition than puppies raised in one home since birth. The reason shelter Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are more likely to have separation anxiety is that dogs in shelters typically experience abandonment or homelessness before they get to a shelter. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies like this are likely to experience more intense symptoms of separation anxiety when there is a change in their family, residence, or regular schedule.
Many Smooth Fox Terrier puppies can receive training to help them resolve their anxiety, and owners can partake in counter-conditioning or hire a trainer to work with their anxious dog on this. Counter-conditioning can allow a dog the chance to change its reaction from a scared and negative one to a happy, or at the very least, indifferent one.
Applying this to separation anxiety would mean that the affected dog would no longer get anxious when owners leave. A dog that has finished this training will be happy for a new treat or feel indifferent when their family leaves, as they are more comfortable and confident that their family will return.
Counter-conditioning is performed by working in small repetitive steps. Dogs with separation anxiety will be left alone for ten or twenty minutes, with a treat they don’t get often. This can be some bananas, yogurt, or cream cheese. To make this process successful, owners need to clarify that these anxious dogs will only be able to have these delicious treats when their owners leave the house. With practice, owners would leave their Smooth Fox Terrier puppies alone for more and more time until their symptoms are gone.
Severe cases of separation anxiety will need professional dog behaviorists to help treat them. Dogs with more serious separation anxiety will not eat or drink food when their family leaves them. Animal behaviorists can offer expert help figuring out what is causing such stress in your dog. These trainers can then work with you to ease your dog out of its mental condition. Treatment for anxiety doesn’t have to be through counter-conditioning, although it is an excellent way to work on a dog’s stress. Other options include anti-anxiety medications or calming treats like CBD treats. There isn’t a way to prevent separation anxiety from appearing in dogs. The best owners can do is begin teaching counter-conditioning methods soon after adoption.
Physical Health
Gut Health
Obesity
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies love to eat and can quickly become overweight. Part of this is because Smooth Fox Terrier puppies will eat any scraps they can find. However, a large percentage of obese dogs are obese because their owners don’t provide them with the right amount of exercise. About 50% of all adult dogs in the United States are obese.
One and a half to two cups of high-quality dry dog food can go a long way with Smooth Fox Terrier puppies. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies need special nutrients to support their small bodies and active lifestyles. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies do best when they eat two meals daily rather than one large meal.
All owners should keep in mind that any dog’s diet can vary based on their height, weight, sex, age, activity levels, or other health conditions.
Obesity in dogs can lead to other health issues that can cause the quality of life to go down. For example, obesity raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and high blood pressure. More serious conditions that obesity can affect include heart disease, respiratory disease, and hip dysplasia. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies already have some predispositions to hip dysplasia, and conditions like obesity can cause dysplasia to worsen quickly.
Potential Smooth Fox Terrier owners should know how to test if a Smooth Fox Terrier is obese. Owners may test for obesity by standing in front of the dog and looking for a distinct waist. Then, owners can put their thumb on the dog’s spine and have their fingers point downwards to feel for the dog’s ribs. If you can feel a Smooth Fox Terrier puppy’s ribs with little to no pressure, then that dog is in excellent shape. If you can see the ribs without touching them, that dog is underweight. And if you need to apply more than a bit of pressure to feel the ribs or the dog lacks a distinct waistline, they are obese.
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Dogs that are obese have a decreased lifespan of up to two and a half years less than their average life expectancy. Dogs with obesity have to start a plan to lose their excess weight. Providing dogs with more small meals can help keep them feeling fuller while making their metabolisms faster. Owners with obese dogs should work on getting more physical activity into their daily lives. Fetching, walking, swimming, and jogging are great ways to help a dog get healthier.
If a dog has an underlying health condition like hypothyroidism, it will make weight loss increasingly difficult. Dogs with underlying health conditions causing their weight gain will not be able to lose weight in a healthy way until they receive treatment for the underlying condition. Any obese dogs need to meet with their vet to ensure they have a good plan to lose their excess weight.
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Eye Health
Cataracts
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are at risk of developing an eye disease called cataracts, and this condition is an inherited trait that affects a dog’s vision. Many proteins come together in front of the iris in a dog’s eyes, and they move through cycles where they exit and get replaced by newer proteins. However, when a dog has cataracts, the proteins in its eyes have not left, and these proteins get packed in and eventually make a cloudy film appear on a dog’s eye.
When cataracts on a dog’s eye get too cloudy, they become difficult to see through. During the progression of cataracts, dogs will lose their vision, although the progression of this eye disease changes for every dog. The underlying disease can cause this condition, but cataracts can also occur independently.
Vets can diagnose Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with cataracts after using light to examine the eyes. Regular vet exams will keep your vet updated on your dog’s eye health. However, cataracts can grow on a dog’s eyes very quickly. Because they can grow so fast, owners should call their vet if they see any cloudy or bluish-gray films on their dog’s eyes. Vets may recommend surgery to remove cataracts if they are noticed early enough in their growth. Surgery can remove the film the cataracts are on and replace it with a plastic or acrylic lens. There is no way for owners to prevent cataracts in their Smooth Fox Terrier puppies. The best they can do is be sure the take their dogs to regular vet check-ups.
Lens Luxation
Lens luxation is an inherited health condition that affects the lens in a dog’s eyes. The term luxation typically means out of place, and in this condition, it means the lens of the eye has fallen out of place. In terrier breeds especially, the ligaments that support the lens of the eye begin breaking down and cause the lens to dislocate from its regular position. The lens can fall back into the eye or forward into the eye. No matter how it falls, this condition can increase eye pressure, causing pain, inflammation, and glaucoma. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have a higher risk of developing this rare eye disease than other breeds.
When Smooth Fox Terriers are experiencing this condition, they often experience a lot of pain. To make this worse, dogs with this condition can go blind if they don’t receive treatment, but vets and owners can often spot the signs of this condition early on. When dogs have symptoms of lens luxation, they’ll have red, irritated eyes, and they often scratch at them or rub their face.
Treatment of this condition can depend significantly on the severity of the case. For example, sometimes, when the lens is caught early enough, vets may be able to perform surgery to either remove the lens or force it to fall backward rather than forwards. When vets use surgery as a treatment option, they aim to rid the dog of their pain and restore as much vision as possible. However, sometimes this surgery doesn’t work, and in rare cases, vets need to remove the dog’s eye. Occasionally vets will treat lens luxation with topical ointments or daily medications to reduce the pain.
Lens luxation cannot be prevented, but dogs with this condition will be much better off if they are treated faster. Owners must ensure they take the dogs on regular vet check-ups and call their vet if they are ever concerned about their dogs health.
Distichiasis
Distichiasis is a very common eye disease that affects the eyelashes. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with distichiasis have eyelashes growing out of their eyelid margin instead of the skin on the outer side of their eyes. A lot of dogs that have this condition grow soft eyelashes and never experience any pain or discomfort. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies do not commonly suffer from this condition, but they do have a genetic predisposition to acquire this condition.
Sometimes, cases of distichiasis require treatment because the abnormal eyelashes grow thick and can cause eye problems. Eyelashes that irritate the eye surface can cause permanent damage like corneal ulcers or lesions.
Vets may recommend different types of non-surgical treatment for dogs with this condition. Owners can choose between ocular lubricants, gel to reduce eye irritation, or lifelong medication to treat their dog’s eye disease. Some vets recommend getting the excessive eyelashes plucked from the eye every four to six weeks. These options are great because they’re not incredibly expensive or complex, but they are lifelong treatment methods.
Other methods are electrolysis and cryotherapy. Electrolysis is the process of using a small electrode and inserting it into each hair follicle gland alongside one of the emerging eyelashes. Then a current gets applied in an effort to permanently destroy the hair follicle, thus preventing the regrowth of future eyelashes. This condition is similar to cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is a method where a probe is put on each side of an emerging hair follicle, and the probe freezes the follicle, destroying them permanently. These methods are permanent but will likely need repeating once or twice. Since eyelashes grow and fall out, many eyelashes may not be visible or accessible when performing these treatments. Repeating these options ensures that the eyelashes on a dog’s face cannot grow back.
Vets will typically attempt the prior treatment methods before attempting surgery. Surgery is invasive in a very sensitive area, so while it isn’t necessarily dangerous, it is best to avoid it when possible. Veterinarians reserve surgery for the most severe cases of this eye disease. The vet will remove eyelash hair follicles and turn the eyelid margin outward during surgery to make any of the excessive eyelashes they may have missed point away from the surface of the eye.
There is no way for owners to prevent distichiasis, since the eye disease is mainly inherited.
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Ear Health
Deafness
Sadly, the Smooth Fox Terrier breed is at risk of developing hereditary deafness. Two different origins can cause this, but often the most common cause of deafness is called cochleosaccular, which is most often seen in certain color patterns.
Dogs with cochleosaccular hereditary deafness often have white fur with spots of color or a merle color gene. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies can have a lot of different colors of fur, but the most common is white with other colored spots. This type of deafness is typically noticeable in dogs when they are between one and three weeks of age.
Deafness is not typically preventable and is usually a hereditary issue. Some medications can affect the risk of developing deafness, but typically older animals develop deafness because of an already predisposed hereditary risk.
Typically dogs that are deaf in both ears are easy to spot. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with bilateral deafness will not typically wake up when asleep unless they are touched, and they most likely won’t listen when called. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies also might not notice when members of the family arrive home and can be frightened more easily than other dogs.
The good news is that deaf dogs can typically live normal happy lives, but they need a more dedicated owner than the average pup. Owners of deaf Smooth Fox Terrier puppies cannot trust these dogs around children, as deaf animals scare easily. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies can also never be allowed off-leash, and owners of deaf dogs have to be willing to learn and understand their dog’s body language.
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Immune Health
Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis is a rare inherited congenital disability that some Smooth Fox Terrier puppies unluckily inherit. This condition causes a breakdown of transmissions stopping impulses from the nerves to muscle tissue. This health issue prevents the muscles from contracting and causes a dog with myasthenia gravis to become weak. The number one symptom of this disease is a neuromuscular disease.
Myasthenia gravis often presents itself in symptoms in Smooth Fox Terrier puppies, but these signs can vary significantly on a case-by-case basis. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with this disease may show more common symptoms, like muscle weakness, that worsens with exercise but improves with rest. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with this condition often have esophagus issues that come along as well. This creates a problem when the dog tries to swallow or drink and can cause dogs to vomit food. In certain situations, dogs can accidentally breathe in the food or drink they are vomiting or coughing up and can develop pneumonia as a result.
Vets typically diagnose this condition when they complete a few physical exams. They might perform tests to evaluate the kidney, liver, and even the pancreas before they can begin to consider this condition. Many screenings are needed to ensure vets get a proper diagnosis and then figure out the best route of treatment.
When Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have myasthenia gravis, treatment gets tailored to their situation specifically. This means that the vet might use some drugs to encourage muscle strength and growth by reducing the number of antibodies that attack the muscle receptors. Treatment also can come from a lifestyle change. Because this condition affects the stomach so aggressively, dogs need special dietary care. When dogs with myasthenia gravis eat, their head needs to be elevated during feeding and for 10 to 15 minutes after they’re done eating. Veterinarians will often work with owners to figure out the best method to assist their dog in eating and drinking without risking vomiting or aspirating the food or water.
There is no way to prevent this health condition, although the prognosis of this condition is overall positive. As long as owners are attentive and vigilant about at-home care, dogs with this disease can maintain an excellent quality of life for a long time. The hardest thing to work past is the possibility of pneumonia because of the risk of dogs breathing in old food and water. If owners are careful to ensure their dog doesn’t do that, the prognosis will continually improve.
Kidney Stones
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have a genetic predisposition to develop kidney stones. Kidney stones can appear for a few reasons. This can be from the dog’s weight, other health conditions, or simply genetics. The type of kidney stones a dog has can help determine the cause of the kidney stones. Kidney stones cannot be adequately treated unless they are treated for the specific stone in their kidney.
Sometimes, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies can experience harmless kidney stones. No matter the harm, vets will be sure to keep a close eye on any apparent kidney stone, but this condition can exist and allow your dog to carry on with their regular health and urine flow.
Sadly, many kidney stones become quite large or break into little pieces that get lodged into the ureter, causing extreme pain and discomfort. A Smooth Fox Terrier that experiences that type of discomfort may go so far as to vomit. Other symptoms that might occur are fevers, kidney pain, blood in the urine, or altered urine production. Altered urine production is a technical term for increasing or decreasing urination. Dogs with kidney stones might also suffer from lethargy, poor appetite, and weight loss.
If you ever think your Smooth Fox Terrier has a kidney stone, it’s vital to get them to the vet as soon as possible. A blocked urinary tract can cause severe illness and can become life-threatening. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with kidney stones lodged in the ureter need to be taken to an emergency vet hospital right away.
Vets may try to diagnose this condition with x-rays, although simple x-rays don’t always photograph the stones nicely. Sometimes, stones can be covered up completely by the contents of a dog’s stomach. Once a vet decides definitively that a dog does indeed have kidney stones, they will do a complete blood count as well as a urinalysis, blood chemistry with electrolytes, abdominal radiographs, and systemic blood pressure testing. There are many tests that vets may perform to make sure they diagnose kidney stones correctly.
Kidney stones that go untreated can lead dogs to chronic kidney disease. Sometimes, medications can be enough to reduce the stone or slow its growth. Increasing water intake is vital in lessening the risk of harmful kidney stones. Sometimes specific diets can be enough to dissolve the stone completely, and it may take months to complete. Vets choose this option because medical efforts to dissolve a kidney stone are often much safer options than surgery, but sadly, this is not an option for all types of kidney stones. Larger kidney stones will potentially be broken up from the inside by using surgical tools.
Kidney stones cannot truly be prevented but owners can try to provide excess water to their dogs and limit any oils or foods that can crystalize. By providing a lot of water for your dog, owners are allowing them to flush their systems in a healthy way.
Heart Disease
Heart disease in dogs can be caused by a wide variety of factors such as weight, activity, genetics, and nutrition. Obese dogs are much more likely to develop heart disease than physically healthy puppies. Also, the older the dog is, the more their risk of developing heart disease rises. However, owners should not panic, as this condition is not common in many dogs at all. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a predisposed but small risk of developing this condition.
About 95% of heart conditions in dogs come on as they age. Most often, valve disease or heart muscle disease are the culprits affecting a dog’s health. When owners are concerned about their dog’s health and the risk of heart disease, they should consult their vets. Sometimes, vets will refer owners to a pet cardiologist in an effort to get a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan.
Pet cardiologists may perform physical exams, electrocardiograms, or echocardiograms to test your dog’s heart for any irregularities. If you or your vet notice your dog has increased difficulty breathing or develops a cough, you should consider beginning the testing process for heart disease. It would be especially cautious to test for this condition with such mild symptoms, but the earlier the condition is caught, the better the prognosis is.
More severe symptoms of this disease are getting more tired on walks or during playtime or experiencing moments of extreme weakness or collapse. Some dogs tend to bloat in their stomach, and in rare cases, a dog may have a sudden onset of weakness in their back legs or paralysis.
The majority of the time, heart disease treatment will allow your dog to live a better and longer life than they would without treatment. Typical treatment processes are prescribed drugs and medications, diet changes, weight loss, or possible surgery.
Sadly, there is no way to prevent heart disease in a Smooth Fox Terrier other than keeping them physically healthy. Since poor nutrition and obesity are such large contributors to heart disease, owners should feel better knowing that physically active Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are less like to develop this condition.
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Joint Health
Shoulder Dislocation
Some Smooth Fox Terrier puppies might experience shoulder dislocation. Occasionally, this condition is referred to as shoulder luxation. When a Smooth Fox Terrier dislocates their shoulder, they have knocked their shoulder joint out of place, whether partially or completely.
Dogs with shoulder luxation typically show symptoms through limping. This symptom can be very sudden or occur over a progression of time after some sort of trauma occurs. Sudden shoulder dislocation is called acute. Sometimes, albeit rare, dogs have a malformed shoulder from birth and never even limp.
The causes of this condition can vary considerably. A dog’s shoulder can become dislocated because of a trauma like a car accident or fall. It can also happen because they’re zooming too fast around the house, and they slide into a table or the wall, though this is less common. When the shoulder gets dislocated, it causes joint capsule tear, which damages carious ligaments, tendons, and muscles that support and stabilize the shoulder joint.
When owners are concerned their Smooth Fox Terrier puppies may have a shoulder dislocation, they should call their vet and schedule an appointment. While this condition isn’t life-threatening, it can be painful for dogs to experience. Vets may diagnose this condition by feeling for asymmetry in the joint, and they may feel your dog for inflammation, instability, or grinding during joint movement.
Often x-rays confirm a vet’s suspicions about whether a dog has shoulder luxation or not. When vets are sure of the condition, they may simply pop the shoulder back into place while the dog is under general anesthesia. This can only be done if the dislocation is caused by recent trauma. Vets will then wrap a bandage-style sling or splint onto the affected joint for two weeks. If this treatment process doesn’t work, then vets will recommend surgery. Surgery typically takes about two weeks to reach a full recovery. However, after surgery, your dog must maximize rest, and owners need to restrict activity as much as possible.
There isn’t much owners can do to prevent this condition from occurring. However, the prognosis after treatment is typically excellent. Dogs likely receive pain medication and physical therapy. Vets will provide owners with an exercise restriction plan to eventully allow them to return to normal activity.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is an avascular disease in the femoral head. This condition occurs when the head of the femur spontaneously begins degenerating. Once degeneration begins, it will slowly cause the hip joint to collapse and lead to arthritis in the leg. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have a predisposed risk of getting this condition, but not many Smooth Fox Terrier puppies suffer from this condition.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is commonly seen in dogs that weigh less than 20 pounds. Terriers and toy breeds are most commonly affected. Most dogs that contract this condition will begin showing signs as early as three months old or as late as 18 months. Vets and owners often see lameness the most frequently between five and eight months old.
Vets and scientists aren’t sure what the causes of this condition are. Vets know that when this disease occurs, the blood flow to the hip gets disrupted, and this causes clots to form within blood vessels. After this, bones begin to weaken, and the hip joint slowly degenerates. Small fractures begin to emerge, and scar tissue may be able to stabilize the bone over time. Because the bone structure changes, this condition will lead to arthritis.
Vets suspect genetic mutations largely cause this condition, but nothing has been confirmed. Often Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with this condition will limp on the affected leg, and limping is a gradual process and will take several weeks to progress. Eventually, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies won’t be able to put any weight on their affected leg. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with this health condition may begin to feel pain and experience lameness. Even though little is known about Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, vets do know that it’s uncommon for both hip joints to be affected by this condition.
Vets diagnose this disease with X-rays. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with this condition can manage mild cases with medical therapy, pain medication, and physical therapy. Severe cases of this condition usually require surgery. Once vets complete surgery, a dog will still need medication and physical therapy to aid recovery.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a severe health condition that affects many dogs. This common skeletal condition is often noticed in larger dog breeds, but it can occur in any size dog. The hip joint works as a ball-in-socket joint and the femur is supposed to cleanly align with the socket, allowing the joint to slide when dogs run, walk, or jog. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have a genetic predisposition to develop hip dysplasia.
Several different factors can cause hip dysplasia. Many leading causes of hip dysplasia are factors that can be controlled, and this means that owners can take preventative actions against hip dysplasia. For example, obesity is one of the largest contributing reasons dogs have hip dysplasia. A similar reason is over-exercising or under-exercising. Joints that don’t work enough or don’t rest enough will magnify any existing genetic predispositions.
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with hip dysplasia will eventually experience arthritis. Less severe cases of hip dysplasia will likely cause some irritation and decrease in activity but will ultimately not affect a dog very much. More severe conditions will appear as inflammation, degrees of looseness in the joint, and loss of motion. Dogs that are heavily affected by this condition are reluctant to stand, jump, jog, run, or use the stairs.
More symptoms of hip dysplasia will appear as pain, stiffness, and limping. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with hip dysplasia will have lameness in their hind legs. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies will usually lose muscle mass in their back legs and gain muscle in their shoulders as they try to put less weight on their back legs.
This condition can be treated in a few different ways. Often early stages of hip dysplasia are treated with supplements that can slow the progression of arthritis and are safe for long-term use in many patients. Some treatment methods involve restricting exercise, especially on hard surfaces. Some dogs are required to partake in physical therapy or take joint supplements. Vets may also recommend anti-inflammatory medication, joint fluid modifiers, or even surgery. There are a few common surgeries to try to fix or completely replace the hip.
Patellar Luxation
Patella luxation is a joint disease that causes the kneecap to fall out of place. Patella is another term for the kneecap, and the term luxating means out of place or dislocated. Kneecaps naturally sit right at the end of the femur above the knee in dogs. When Smooth Fox Terrier puppies experience this condition, they can have different severity levels. Sometimes, this condition can be so mild that dogs can easily live their entire lives without ever receiving treatment for it.
Many Smooth Fox Terrier dog owners may notice their dog skip a step and then suddenly return to their normal walk as if nothing ever occurred. Smaller breeds are more likely to experience this condition, but any dog breed might.
Vets have given patellar luxation a grading scale from I to IV to determine the disease’s severity. Vets will ignore grade I patellar luxation for most dogs’ lives, and if it never goes past this, then owners don’t need to do anything for it. Vets will recommend that grades II through IV receive some form of treatment.
Typically, treatment for patellar luxation exists as surgery. Often dogs with this condition may experience secondary knee joint issues because of their luxation. This condition can cause canine cruciate ligament tears or other bone issues. Arthritis can become a problem and may affect your dog’s ability to use its leg. When Smooth Fox Terrier puppies with patellar luxation receive surgery, their prognosis depends on any secondary joint issues. If no other issues have come up, then Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have an excellent prognosis and will likely have complete leg function. Any arthritis or secondary issues that occur after patellar luxation will not go away with the surgery.
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Skin and Coat Health
The Smooth Fox Terrier has a smooth and hard coat texture. Their dense coats have very little shedding. Often their fur is so dense that you can’t part it with your fingers to see their skin. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies also have an undercoat that is full of fine, short fur.
Smooth Fox Terriers are primarily white, likely because of selective breeding from their hunting dog days. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies can also have tan, black, or black and tan markings. Most Smooth Fox Terrier puppies have a solid-colored head, but their breed standard allows them to have markings on their faces. These face markings can show themselves as two different colors of fur split through half the dog’s face or a different color that only appears on the eyes and ears.
Smooth Fox Terrier puppies need occasional brushing with firm bristles to ensure their coats stay soft and neat. Smooth Fox Terrier puppies don’t need baths often, but once a month is standard in washing dogs. This also helps ensure their coats are clean and that no dead fur gets stuck to their skin.
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Smooth Fox Terrier Puppies Are Great Dogs
Even though Smooth Fox Terrier puppies are in no way a popular dog breed, these dogs are great pets. They are exciting, energetic, intelligent, and fun. If you have been considering rescuing a Smooth Fox Terrier puppy and after reading this you aren’t sure, you should consider adopting a different dog breed. While this breed isn’t as high maintenance as some others, they do need owners that feel ready to train and nurture them.
The best type of household for Smooth Fox Terrier puppies would be a household that is home often and active regularly. Single home families can be great for these dogs as long as you are willing to match their energy. Families with children should keep in mind that even though these dogs can get rambunctious, they are excellent in families, and children are more likely to match the same energy levels of these dogs.
All in all, Smooth Fox Terrier puppies need a family and owners who are willing to provide them with the life they deserve. This breed of dog needs a family that is willing to provide for their active lifestyle and ready to care for them if they were to get any health conditions listed above. All Smooth Fox Terrier puppies really need to maintain a happy and healthy life is a family who is dedicated to caring for them. As long as someone who adopts them cares about making them comfortable and provides the training, treats, and toys to keep these dogs entertained, they’re sure to find a happy home to land in.
