Smooth Scottish Fox Terrier

The Scottish Terrier is a small, compact, and sturdy dog with a distinctive silhouette that is instantly recognizable. Standing approximately 10 inches tall at the shoulder, males typically weigh between 19 and 22 pounds while females range from 18 to 21 pounds. The breed possesses a thick-set, cobby body hung between short, heavy legs that give the dog a low-to-ground appearance. The overall build conveys power and substance in a small package, with good bone structure and a well-balanced, symmetrical frame. The head is long in proportion to the body size, featuring a slightly domed skull and a well-filled muzzle that should fill an average person's hand. The Scottish Terrier's double coat is one of its most distinctive features, consisting of a hard, wiry, weather-resistant outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat. This combination provides excellent protection in harsh weather conditions. The coat colors include black, wheaten, and various shades of brindle, with many black and brindle dogs displaying sprinklings of white or silver hairs throughout. The longer coat on the beard, legs, and lower body creates the distinctive skirt-like appearance when left untrimmed. The breed's facial furnishings include a prominent beard that accentuates the muzzle and long, expressive eyebrows. Other distinctive physical features include thin, erect ears set high on the skull that contribute to the alert expression, and a tail that is set high and carried upright. The eyes are small, bright, and piercing with a keen, varminty expression that reflects the breed's terrier heritage. The back is short, level, and muscular, and the overall carriage is bold, confident, and dignified. The breed's characteristic gait is unique, with forelegs inclining slightly inward due to the deep, broad forechest, creating a free, agile, and coordinated movement.

The Smooth Fox Terrier is an elegantly built, athletic dog that combines strength with agility in a compact frame. Males typically stand 14 to 15.5 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 17 and 19 pounds, while females are slightly smaller at 13 to 15 inches and 15 to 17 pounds. The body is compact and muscular, built for speed and endurance, with a short back and well-defined musculature that reflects the breed's heritage as a working terrier. The overall appearance is that of a well-balanced, symmetrical dog with substance but never coarse, embodying the description of a gentleman among terriers. The breed features a distinctive head with a flat, moderately narrow skull that gradually tapers toward the eyes. The muzzle is long and strong, with powerful jaws and a clean-cut appearance that gives the face an intelligent, keen expression. The small, V-shaped ears fold forward close to the cheeks, and the dark, moderately small eyes are full of fire and intelligence. The neck is clean, muscular, and of fair length, flowing smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders that enable the breed's characteristic free, ground-covering movement. The Smooth Fox Terrier's coat is one of its defining characteristics, being short, flat against the body, hard in texture, and dense enough to provide protection. The predominant color is white, with markings of black, tan, or a combination of black and tan. The white base color historically allowed hunters to easily distinguish their dogs from quarry during hunts. The coat requires minimal grooming compared to wire-haired varieties, typically needing only weekly brushing to maintain its neat appearance. The tail is customarily docked and carried high, adding to the breed's alert, eager expression and confident carriage.