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The Toy Fox Terrier - Waiting for Recognition

The Toy Fox Terrier is directly descended from the Smooth Fox Terrier and has long awaited official recognition from some canine organizations. The Smooth Fox Terrier was likely created as a cross between several breeds, including the Dachshund. Later, selective breeding and crossing with some other very small breeds led to the establishment of the Toy Fox Terrier as a separate breed. Some people call this breed the American Toy Terrier. The word “Amertoy” has been coined in connection with the breed as well and it’s possible that one of these names will become the official name if the breed is ever formally recognized by the remaining canine clubs.

The Fox Terrier was bred for hunting. These dogs would find foxes that had run to ground, follow them into their hiding places and snap at them until they ran. The Toy Fox Terrier retains many of the characteristics of their ancestry, though the selective breeding and addition of some specific breeds has refined some characteristics and features.

The goal when establishing the Toy Fox Terrier as a separate breed was a small dog that still had the traits of their tenacious and rambunctious ancestors. Those who choose these dogs say that someone forgot to inform the Toy Fox Terrier that he’s not nearly as large as his direct ancestors, the Fox Terrier. As a rule, healthy adults weigh in at five or six pounds, though variations of up to a couple of pounds have been known to occur. Remember that the ancestors of these dogs were charged with the task of running fox from their hiding places. They had the courage needed to accomplish this task and that trait hasn’t been bred out of the Toy Fox Terrier.

One important thing to remember about these terriers is that they’re lively, curious and intelligent – a combination that keeps many owners on their toes. Added to that is the fact that these dogs don’t tend to outgrow that natural bubbly personality. The Toy Fox Terrier, as is typical of many small breeds, can reasonably be expected to live 12 years or more. Throughout the majority of those years, these dogs will remain happy, alert and very active, especially if treated well and given a healthy lifestyle.

Their small size makes them ideal for apartment life. They’re quite happy to get in their daily quota of exercise playing around the living room and they’re not big enough to knock over tables and the like with their play. The fact that these dogs are so smart while requiring little outdoor exercise has made them a recent addition to breeds used for aiding the handicapped. Several reports indicate that Toy Fox Terriers have successfully been trained to perform various tasks that are challenges for their owners, including taking their deaf owners to the source of a ringing telephone or doorbell.

These dogs are generally colored very much like traditional Fox Terriers, with white coats and brown or black markings. The sheer fact of their size makes them fragile, but they tend to be reasonably healthy dogs. Add that to the sheer joy these dogs exhibit in their everyday lives and you’ve got the recipe for a best friend, all wrapped up in the tiny body of a Toy Fox Terrier.


any body have any more ideas on Healthy homemade treats or toys for my bunny?

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Posted on April 30, 2008

19 Comments

  1. Carla M says:

    Do you want to take that chance?? Even if it died of a tumor there might have been unlying ilness not known about. Esp, if they are things chewed or pooped on.

  2. Betty says:

    you should talk it over with your significant other and if you both feel very comfortable about the 3 some then there you go. and toys, well just try it and see what you think. i mean what is there to lose?

  3. Urban Cowgirl says:

    Silicone sex toys may be healthier than rubber and jelly toys. 100% silicone is non reactive, tasteless and odourless. Smell your cheaper jelly and rubber toys and that should tell you if there are chemicals leaching off your toys.

  4. Josh A says:

    I wouldn't worry about it, it's normal. If you are having a problem with her behavior, take it away. She will more than likely just stop the behavior on her own.

  5. riskae1313 says:

    Try going to rescue websites for the breed you like. Almost every breed has a website for rescued dogs. The cost is very economical because the dog doesn't have papers.. Many are adults, but sometimes you can get puppies, too. Sometimes they are full-blooded, sometimes they are a mix. Do an online search for the breed's name plus "rescue". Another plus to these sites, is that they usually have had the animal completely checked over, gotten them up to date on their shots, and have made sure they are sociable pets.

  6. Stacy L says:

    Alternatives to edible stuff:
    Try those big string ropes. Bostons love to grab and pull on things, so he should enjoy tossing and chewing on the rope.
    Another thing I found was a big fluffy ball of string, tied in the middle. Can't recall the name but it was a funny name; it's about the size of a honeydew melon or extra large grapefruit.
    These string things are pretty inexpensive too.

    One thing you can try for a Boston is a rope (thick cotton) tied to a tree branch or laundry pole. He might enjoy pulling and tugging on that too.

  7. my brain hurts says:

    I've worked with preschoolers for years, and I know that taking a child's favorite toy away can be very traumatic for some children. The situation becomes worsened if the toy has the child's favorite television character on it: Dora The Explorer, Go Diego Go, Elmo, etc. Children often think of their favorite television characters as people and trying to explain the whole issue to a child can be devastating to some children who will think that their favorite character is dying or sick just because the toy can make them sick.

    How you handle the issue will depend on the maturity level of your child. For some children they have to "see it to believe it". For those children, purchasing a lead testing kit, and letting the child help test the toy(s) for lead, and seeing the color change to an unsafe level (explain safe colors and unsafe colors based on the kit that you purchase) is the only way that some children will be able to comprehend what a lead recall and unsafe toys are all about.

    For other children, simply telling the child, this toy has paint that is yucky or bad on it, we are going to get a coupon to get a new toy when the coupon comes you can pick out whatever toy you want, is enough to satisfy the child.

    For other children a simple song will work:
    Lead is yucky
    Lead is yucky
    Yes it is
    Yes it is
    It can make me sick
    It can make me sick
    Bye bye lead
    Bye bye lead
    (Sung as you gather the toys that are unhealthy together)

    Many government organizations offer free curriculum for preschoolers and their families about this very subject. One of the best ones is: http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/lead/exposure/childhood/leadc.pdf
    Pick and choose out of the curriculum what is relevant to your child and your family's situation.

    If you are really having difficulty/or if your child is having trouble adjusting, talk to your pediatrician and explain the situation, he/she may be better at explaining it to your child than you are.

  8. Paigeyy:] says:

    Get these:

    Nbones
    Ferretone
    Ferret lax (laxatone for cats works as well)
    Petroleum Jelly (the kids LOVE THIS) (yes just petroleum jelly)
    Any soft cat food treats
    the red dog Kong toys (medium, small sizes work well) (do not get puppy kind, the rubber is not strong enough, get red color!)
    Crocheted Eggs (http://thecrochetedferret.com/DerbysPage.htm) they love to shake and "kill" these!
    the Clear Ferret Tube (all ferrets need at least one of these)
    A tub filled with biodegradeable starch peanuts (like the burgerking kid's ball pit, but for ferrets!)

    If you had all of these your ferrets would be in heaven. At least mine think they are! Our ball pit is the side of a twin size bed… :)

  9. Shaynax says:

    If you have a food dehydrator, you can dehydrate carrots, apples, pears, parsnips, sweet potato and your bunny can have a healthy chewy teat.

    Also steamed carrots/broccoli are yummy and different then just fresh.

    Bunny's love to chew, they sell hidy-huts that they can chew down.

    Toilet Paper roll, with a few treats hiding in newspaper stuffed inside to encourage foraging.

    A dig box, get a shallow plastic tote fill with dirt and literal watch the dirt fly..

  10. Connor says:

    Facts and info: They need lots of stimulation, mentally and physically and socially. Walks must be everyday, & not to the end of the street & back! You must be ready to take an affectionate slobbering bouncy dog in as a family member as he/she will be best along there with you doing everything that families do. They are strong willed fun loving rockets, so without a good strong willed owner to guide he/she will turn to mischief especially in youth (that lasts all their lives). Once you've got the ground rules out of the way they will be worth every minute of you efforts!!
    Food: I feed my Boxer (Benn) on Raw (BARF) Diet and he is doing exceptional on it (But Do your research)
    http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding
    Toys: Playing & Play fighting is what Boxers Love, so all the toys we have are chew and tug toys, his favourite is a deflated leather foot ball that acts as both, as well as his fetch ball (he'll bring it back but you'll have to get it off him to throw it again… that might include chasing him to get it lol)

  11. Raquel R says:

    If your turtles aren't active at ALL then they probably aren't healthy. Are you keeping them in the correct environment? Are they warm enough? Do you keep the water clean with good filtration and water changes?

    Give them multiple places to swim and multiple things to bask on.

  12. pvixy says:

    It sure is. How can anyone else make you feel good if you don't know what makes you feel good? Knowing what makes you feel good helps your partner know what's good, what's not good, what's too much or not enough.

    You can do it without toys in the shower, with a massage/pulsating showerhead. You may like watching adult movies to help you warm up a little or those romance novels where they call the penis anything but ("throbbing manhood"),

    Generally you just take a finger or two and rub. Some people go up and down, some insert a finger, some go in a circular motion. Don't neglect your nipples or other parts, especially where the skin is sensitive. It creates an overall sensation.

  13. devotionalservice says:

    Water fights, (Splashing) hide and seek, tick tack toe, patty cake, (clapping hands with another to a rhyme) Tag, duck- duck-goose, ring around the rosy, Simon says, ( you can spiritualize each of these games using your own ideas. May sound childish but many of these games are Played by Radha and Krishna and the gopas and gopies.

  14. soulofthesea1 says:

    That is not wrong at all. I give you so much credit for have the courage to spark up your sex life. Not too many people these days are even willing to try. So no it is perfectly normal to want to experiment!

  15. Nata says:

    check with local vets. maybe they know of someone.

  16. ?AWC rLovEution says:

    If I knew he would play with them. It's all video games these days.

  17. *~..Lamia Amorist..~* says:

    Little kids love Band Aids for some reason. They love to put them all over their body. When I was little I used to get princess Band Aids in my Christmas stocking and in my Easter basket. Since they were my own I was allowed to put them where ever I wanted to on my body. My brother used to be allergic to chocolate, so at Valentine's Day we used to get little books instead of candy. I always loved to get Lip Smackers lip gloss, get her some that smells really good. I know some of this stuff won't quite fit into Easter eggs, but gives you some ideas for the rest of the year as well.

    As far as the stuff for the eggs go, I never got candy in my eggs, I got change. Like in some of the eggs were a few pennies and some had a few dimes. We also had grand prize eggs that had like a dollar or two in it. I hope this helps you.

  18. Katherine D says:

    Here are some links to some sites that sell American made toys, dolls and puzzles.

    http://shop.vermontteddybear.com/

    http://www.woodentrain.com/

    http://www.shopforamerica.com/home.php?cat=86

    http://www.commissarytoys.com/browse.cfm/2,1377.html

    http://www.turnertoys.com/Folk_Toys/wooden_folk_toys.htm

    Here is a link to an old list that describes toys made in America.

    http://www.seanet.com/~bross/usamade.htm

    Finally, here is a 2003 article posted on CBSnews.com about American made toys.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/23/world/main589970.shtml

    I hope these links prove useful to you. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter!

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