St. John's Water Dog vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison

St. John's Water Dog vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed ComparisonFox Terrier (Smooth) is originated from United Kingdom but St. John's Water Dog is originated from Canada. Fox Terrier (Smooth) may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than St. John's Water Dog. Fox Terrier (Smooth) may weigh 32 kg / 70 pounds lesser than St. John's Water Dog. Fox Terrier (Smooth) may live 3 years more than St. John's Water Dog. Both Fox Terrier (Smooth) and St. John's Water Dog has almost same litter size. Fox Terrier (Smooth) requires Moderate Maintenance. But St. John's Water Dog requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
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United Kingdom
Canada
Height Male:
36 - 41 cm
14 - 17 inches
48 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
47 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 9 kg
15 - 20 pounds
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
16 - 35 kg
35 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 6
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Smooths Fox Terrier Smooth Coat, Foxy, SFT
St. Johns Dog, Lesser Newfoundland, St. John’s Newfoundland
Colors Available:
white with brown, black, tan or ginger markings
black
Coat:
dense, flat
short, thick coats
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful, Social, Stubborn
Intelligent, Loving, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

fox terrier smoothThe 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.

st john s water dogThe breed known as the St. John’s water dog is an extinct landrace breed. They were domestic dogs found in Newfoundland and at times were called the lesser Newfoundland. There is not much information available about the other breeds that went into its development. Hypothetically it is believed they are a mix of the Irish, Old English and Portuguese dogs bred to work.

It is also thought that other breeds in their family tree, descending from them, include the Golden Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Labrador and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The Newfoundland is also related to the St. Johns Water Dog through the line of Rafeirio do Alenteios that Portuguese fisherman brought to the island.

The breed was exported to England in the 19th century and early 20th. There the breeds of retrievers were developed. In Canada during this time frame restrictions were placed on dog ownership in order to encourage people to raise sheep. At the same time England imposed a long quarantine on all animals coming into the country in order to get rid of rabies. These two factors contributed greatly to the extinction of the breed. It seems the last two dogs were seen in a remote area in the 1980’s. All attempts to save the breed failed.

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.

st john s water dog puppy - descriptionSt. John’s Water Dog is strong, medium sized and stocky. They looked more like English Labs than American Labs. They had a thick, short coat, loved swimming, had a lot of endurance and rudder tail. It was also described as a thin, black dog with short hair. They had white patches on their chest and feet. His nose was thin and tapered, his legs powerful, his chest muscular. The breed is quick, swims, runs quickly and is a fighter as well.

Never accepted by any major kennel club except as a foundation breed. They became extinct.

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

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness - yes they are good with children.

2.Special talents swimming is their best talent

st john s water dog dog - characteristics3.Adaptability large need fence, they are not large dogs but they need outdoor space

4.Learning ability – very smart and eager to learn

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.

st john s water dog puppies - health problemsThere is no documented history of any genetic or hereditary illnesses in the breed. However, it seems rational to believe they suffered from ailments similar to Labradors and newfoundland though they are smaller dogs.

No history like Labs and Newfoundlands .

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • PRA – progressive retinal atrophy – can cause blindness.
  • Cancer – in their later years.
  • Infectious diseases – not as serious as prior to vaccinations.
  • Myopathy hereditary – affects the muscles.
  • Ear infections.

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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.

st john s water dog dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – Don’t overfeed – they have a propensity toward obesity. Feed high quality, high protein 3 x a day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed. Feed a high quality, high protein 1-2 x a day.

3.Points for Good Health - stamina

4. Games and Exercises – They need space to run and they love to explore. They would also love to be near water where they could swim. Good at dock diving, field trials, flyball and frisbee.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. St. John's Water Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  3. St. John's Water Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. St. John's Water Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. St. John's Water Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. St. John's Water Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. St. John's Water Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. St. John's Water Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. St. John's Water Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. St. John's Water Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
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  14. St. John's Water Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  26. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison