The modern Fox Terrier‘s history goes back to around the 1860’s, and three well-known dogs of the day, “Trap,” “Jock,” and “Tartar,” became the ancestors of all of the great Smooth and Wire-coated Fox Terriers. The first Fox Terrier registered with the AKC, however, was a little lady named “Cricket.”

For most of their history, smooth fox terriers and wire-haired fox terriers were considered two varieties of the same breed, and thus, were bred together regardless of coat. That was discouraged when the two became separate breeds in 1984, 99 years after the AKC first recognized the breed.

Oil on canvas of a Smooth-haired Fox Terrier by Arthur Wardle  (1864-1949)