CHILEAN FOX TERRIER

Apartment Living

Good for 1st Time Owners

Tolerance Levels

Affection for Family

Kid Friendliness

Stranger Friendliness

Ease of Grooming

General Health

Trainability

Prey Drive

Exercise Needs

Energy Level

History

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a hybrid of British Fox Terrier and the local dogs Chile that existed before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. It is the first Chilean breed that came into existence after the year 1870 and standardized for international recognition in the late 1990s. They were initially developed in the farms so that they could adapt well to the rural life.

Temperament and Personality

Like other Terrier dogs, Chilean Fox Terrier also has similar behavior but is less sharp than most. It bonds well with its people making a great family dog. Being a mischievous breed, it can make people laugh with its antics. Their loyal, courageous and watchful nature makes them excellent watchdogs and is often used for hunting rats and small games in rural areas. They might not bond well with children, but proper upbringing can avoid aggressiveness.

Exercise

As it is highly active, it requires 30-40 minutes of vigorous activity daily. Due to the inadequate options, it may develop behavioral issues like over-excitability, excessive barking or hyperactivity. Give them off-leash playtime in a yard or a fenced area to keep it fit both mentally and physically.

Grooming

It does not require much maintenance due to its short fur. However, it needs occasional brushing to keep its coat clean and neat. Bathe them when their hair is filthy and brush its teeth on a regular basis. Its grooming session also includes trimming of nails and checking ears to prevent infection.

Health Problems

No such problem has been found in this dog except for some issues like hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and an eye infection.

Training

The Chilean Fox Terrier tends to chase other animals, so allow them to wear the collar and give time to get used to the leash without any distraction. It requires firm, consistent and experienced trainer who teaches them with positive techniques like reward basis. The puppy needs to be trained to socialize at an early stage.

Feeding

Serve the pet with high-quality dry dog food according to its size. Its diet should also contain an adequate amount of fat, carbs, protein, and calories.