Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison

Both Fox Terrier (Smooth) and Bull and Terrier are originated from United Kingdom. Fox Terrier (Smooth) may grow 9 cm / 3 inches shorter than Bull and Terrier. Fox Terrier (Smooth) may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than Bull and Terrier. Both Fox Terrier (Smooth) and Bull and Terrier has almost same life span. Both Fox Terrier (Smooth) and Bull and Terrier has almost same litter size. Fox Terrier (Smooth) requires Moderate maintenance. But Bull and Terrier requires Low maintenance

History

fox terrier smooth - historyThe Smooth Fox Terrier is one of two Fox Terrier breeds, the other being the Wirehaired Fox Terrier. Fox Terriers are believed to be one of the oldest terrier breeds and the ancestor of many terriers who came after. The Fox Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and the smooth Fox Terrier as a separate breed 100 years later in 1985. Some clubs still consider the two types of Fox Terriers as the same breed. The standard for smooth Fox Terrier was written in 1876 but not accepted until 1985.

Both breeds of Fox Terriers are thought to originate in the late 1800’s descended from various British Terriers, the beagle, the dachshund and the Fox Hound. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a base coat that is white. The hunters bred them this way, so they would not mistake them for the fox during the hunt. They have also been very successful in prestigious dog shows including Crufts in England and New York Westminster in the United States.

They are not that popular today unless you are hunting and showing them in Confirmation Competitions. However, the Smooth Fox Terrier is significant because of all the terriers that consider it their direct ancestor. This would include the Jack Russel, the Rat Terrier and the Miniature Fox Terrier.

The Bull and Terrier is a blend between a number of Old English Terriers and the Old English Bulldog. It is believed that this extinct dog was the start of breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

They were excellent for hunting rats and weren’t a true breed. The dog was popular in the British Isles and in the United States in the 19th Century. They became rare as different varieties of Bull and Terrier were bred and standardized.

Most terriers have a good deal of Old English Bulldog blood in them so as to provide them with the courage to fight and hunt prey, while the English Terrier blood provided a feisty temperament and longer legs for speed.

Around 1860, the Bull and Terrier breed split into 2 categories – the pure white Bull Terrier and the ones of color. The Bull and Terrier was never recognized as a standardized breed by any of the kennel clubs.

Description

fox terrier smooth puppy - descriptionThe Smooth Fox Terrier is distinguished from the Wirehaired and other terriers by his V-shaped head and white based coat. The coat can have tan, black and black and tan marks on the white coat. The Smooth Fox Terrier is sturdy, strong, sleek and symmetrical. The breed has a short back, and proportioned legs. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a flat skull and tapered muzzle. The nose is black, and the eyes are dark. He has v-shaped ears and a docked tail. Docking is no longer legal throughout the United Kingdom.

There isn’t too much detail and information on the Bull and Terrier but we can be sure that with the cross between the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier, he would have been a small to medium sized compact, muscular dog, standing roughly between 38cm to 50cm in height and weighing anything in the region of 11 to 22kg.

He would have had a big head, and most of the dogs had a medium to long tail. His coat was of many colors such as white, fawn, tan or brindle and would have been short and smooth.

As far as temperament goes, the Bull and Terrier would certainly be courageous, feisty, independent, strong and energetic. Socialization wasn’t available in those days but with training, this intelligent breed would be affectionate with his human family.

Characteristics

Characteristics

fox terrier smooth dog - characteristicsChildren friendliness They shouldn’t be trusted with young children but if raised with older children ok

Special talents

They are good at performing tricks, Search and rescue, narcotics detection, tracking, and disability assistance.

Adaptability

Fox Terrier is adaptable and can live anywhere. He is not a big dog but remember he is very high energy.

Learning ability

They have very good learning ability and are very intelligent but can be stubborn

Nobody seems to be 100% sure when the classic Bull and Terrier dog became extinct but it is strongly assumed that it was some time between 1890 and 1920.

People believe that there are actually surviving breeds that could be considered Bull and Terriers. One thing is sure, when you consider that the Bull and Terrier is actually made up of several breeds such as the Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier then you can imagine the character of the dog – brave, hardy, intelligent, feisty, bold, confident and fearless. He was a dog who loved his human family and would have been both friend and protector.

These dogs have been popular around the world, and have had a strong influence in the development of a number of other breeds. Even today, breeders are always looking at ways to develop new breeds based on the descendants of the Bull and Terrier.

Health Problems

fox terrier smooth puppies - health problemsOne of the major problems for the Smooth Fox Terrier that the Wirehaired does not face is the potential for deafness. This is an issue in dogs that are mostly white in color. Other concerns that he does share with the Wirehaired Terrier are:

  1. Distichiasis
  2. Eye lash in an abnormal place causing pain
  3. Legg-Perthes Disease
  4. Causes a very serious muscle loss in the dog’s legs
  5. Shoulder Dislocation
  6. Causes pain and arthritis
  7. Post-nasal Drip
  8. Just annoying
  9. Mast Cell Tumor
  10. Cancer – could be fatal
  11. Myasthenia Gravis

Causes muscle weakness and problems swallowing.

The Bull and Terrier was no doubt a robust breed with few health issues. However his owners of that time would have had to be aware of eye diseases such as cataracts that could have lead to blindness.

Other health issues they would have had to contend with would have been hip and elbow dysplasia, a disease which can cause lameness in a dog accompanied with pain. Because the Bull and terrier was mixed with the English Bulldog, the dog owners would have had to be aware of respiratory health problems, as the Bull dog is a breed that is susceptible to these problems.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

fox terrier smooth dogs - caringFeed 2-3 meals per day and divide 1/8-1/4 cup

Feeding the adult

Feed two meals per day and divide ½ cup

Points for Good Health

hearing and vision

Games and Exercises

The Smooth Fox Terrier is an athlete requiring a lot of exercise. Take him on long walks and play with him in a large fenced yard. Don’t coup him up in the house. Be careful not to exercise him off leash as he will chase anything that moves and will not come when called. They need mental stimulation as well as physical. They are good at hunting, agility, tracking, performing tricks and being a watchdog.

Grooming:

Long ago the Bull and Terrier was developed to be a hunting dog, and because he was a blend of the English Bulldog and Terriers such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and English Terrier, he no doubt had a short coat that would have required being brushed down from time to time.

Diet:

The Bull and Terrier dog was bred for hunting, and he would have in all likelihood have caught some of his own food. He would therefore have got a lot of protein in. His owners would also have fed him some of their own food too which would have been eggs, home-made bread, rice, fresh vegetables and meat.

He would have had a good quota of raw meat in his diet too and this would have ensured that his coat was shiny and glossy, free of rashes. Dogs such as the Bull and Terrier wouldn’t have eaten commercially produced kibble as that was only introduced in the 1930s.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
36 - 41 cm
14 - 17 inches
38 - 50 cm
14 - 20 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
36 - 50 cm
14 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 9 kg
15 - 20 pounds
11 - 22 kg
24 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
9 - 22 kg
19 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
1 - 9
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Smooths Fox Terrier Smooth Coat, Foxy, SFT
Bull & Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier
Colors Available:
white with brown, black, tan or ginger markings
White, fawn, tan or brindle
Coat:
dense, flat
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful, Social, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

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  28. Bull and Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Bull and Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Bull and Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Bull and Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Bull and Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  33. Bull and Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Bull and Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Lakeland Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Jagdterrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Indian Bull Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Bull Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Japanese Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Brazilian Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Old English Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Scoland Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Skye Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Welsh Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison

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