Toy Fox Terrier

Every breeder of every breed has his own particular way of feeding. Most breeders give the new owner a written record (diet sheet) that details the amount and kind of food that the puppy has been receiving. The diet sheet should also indicate the number of times per day that your puppy has been accustomed to being fed and the kind of vitamin supplementation, if any, he has been receiving. Follow these recommendations to the letter, at least for the first month or two after the puppy comes to live with you. Following the prescribed procedure will reduce the chance of upset stomach and loose stools.

Usually a breeder’s diet sheet projects the increases and changes in food that will be necessary as your puppy grows from week to week. If the sheet does not include this information, ask the breeder for suggestions regarding increases and eventual changes.

If you do your best not to change the puppy’s diet when you first bring him home, you will be less apt to run into digestive problems and diarrhea. Diarrhea is very serious in young puppies. Puppies with diarrhea can dehydrate very rapidly, causing severe problems and even death.

STORING DOG FOOD

You must store your dry dog food carefully. Open packages of dog food quickly lose their vitamin value, usually within 90 days of being opened. Mold spores and vermin could also contaminate the food.

If it is necessary to change your Toy Fox Terrier puppy’s diet for any reason, it should be done gradually, over a period of several meals and a few days. Begin by adding a spoonful or two of the new food, gradually increasing the amount until the meal consists entirely of the new product.

Most commercial foods manufactured for dogs meet government standards and prove this by listing the ingredients contained in the food on every package or can. The ingredients are listed in descending order, with the main ingredient listed first.

Fed with any regularity at all, refined sugars can cause your Toy Fox Terrier to become obese and will definitely create tooth decay. Candy stores do not exist in the wild and canine teeth are not genetically disposed to handling sugars. Do not feed your Toy Fox Terrier candy or sweets and avoid products that contain sugar to any high degree. Aside from being high in sugar, chocolate is particularly dangerous as it contains a chemical that is toxic to dogs and can cause death even in small amounts.

Fresh water and a properly prepared, balanced diet containing the essential nutrients in correct proportions are all a healthy Toy Fox Terrier needs to be offered. Dog foods come in many varieties, including canned, dry, semi-moist, “scientifically fortified” and “all-natural.” A visit to your local supermarket or pet store will reveal from how vast an array you will be able to select.

TEST FOR PROPER DIET

A good test for proper diet is the color, odor and firmness of your dog’s stool. A healthy dog usually produces three semi-hard stools per day. The stools should have no unpleasant odor. They should be the same color from excretion to excretion.

It is important to remember that all dogs, whether Toy Fox Terriers or Great Danes, are carnivorous (meat-eating) animals. While the vegetable content of your Toy Fox Terrier’s diet should not be overlooked, a dog’s physiology and anatomy are based upon carnivorous food acquisition. Protein and fat are absolutely essential to the well-being of your dog. In fact, it is wise to add a teaspoon or two of vegetable oil or bacon drippings to your dog’s diet, particularly during the winter months in colder climates.

FOOD PREFERENCE

Selecting the best dry dog food is difficult. There is no majority consensus among veterinary scientists as to the value of nutrient analysis (protein, fat, fiber, moisture, ash, cholesterol, minerals, etc.). All agree that feeding trials are what matter most, but you also have to consider the individual dog. The dog’s weight, age and activity level, and what pleases his taste, all must be considered. It is probably best to take the advice of your veterinarian. Every dog’s dietary requirements vary, even during the lifetime of a particular dog.

If your dog is fed a good dry food, he does not require supplements of meat or vegetables. Dogs do appreciate a little variety in their diets, so you may choose to stay with the same brand but vary the flavor. Alternatively, you may wish to add a little flavored stock to give a difference to the taste.

Through centuries of domestication, we have made our dogs entirely dependent upon us for their well-being. Therefore, we are entirely responsible for duplicating the food balance that the wild dog finds in Nature. The domesticated dog’s diet must include protein, carbohydrates, fats, roughage and small amounts of essential minerals and vitamins.

Finding commercially prepared diets that contain all of the necessary nutrients will not present a problem. It is important to understand, though, that these commercially prepared foods contain the complete nutrition that your Toy Fox Terrier needs. It is therefore unnecessary to add vitamin supplements to these diets except in special circumstances as prescribed by your veterinarian. Over-supplementation and forced growth are now looked upon by some breeders as major contributors to many skeletal abnormalities found in pure-bred dogs of the day.

A great deal of controversy exists today regarding orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia and patellar (knee) luxation, which are found in many breeds and can afflict all breeds. Some claim that these problems are entirely hereditary conditions, but many others feel that they can be exacerbated by over-use of mineral and vitamin supplements for puppies.

In giving vitamin supplementation, you should never exceed the prescribed amount. Many Toy Fox Terrier breeders insist that all recommended dosages be halved before including them in a dog’s diet. Still other breeders feel that no supplementation should be given at all, believing a balanced diet that includes animal protein, plenty of milk products, some fat and a small amount of bone meal to provide calcium are all that are necessary and beneficial.

Pregnant and lactating bitches may require supplementation of some kind, but here again it is not a case of “if a little is good, a lot would be a great deal better.” Extreme caution is advised in this case and of course you should consult with your veterinarian before giving any supplements.

There are now a number of commercially prepared diets for dogs with special dietary needs. Overweight, underweight and geriatric dogs can have their nutritional needs met, as can puppies and growing dogs. The calorie content of these foods is adjusted accordingly. With the correct amount of the right foods and the proper amount of exercise, your Toy Fox Terrier should stay in top shape. Again, common sense must prevail. Just as in humans, too many calories will increase weight and cutting back on calories will reduce weight.

FEEDING TIPS

• Dog food must be served at room temperature, neither too hot nor too cold. Fresh water, changed often and served in a clean bowl, is mandatory, especially when feeding dry food.

• Never feed your dog from the table while you are eating, and never feed your dog leftovers from your own meal. They usually contain too much fat and too much seasoning.

• Dogs must chew their food. Hard pellets are excellent; soups and stews are to be avoided.

• Don’t add leftovers or any extras to complete commercial dog food. This type of food should be balanced, and adding something extra destroys the balance.

• Except for age-related changes, dogs do not require dietary variations. They can be fed the same diet, day after day, without becoming bored or ill.

By and large, Toy Fox Terriers are good eaters but occasionally a young Toy Fox Terrier going through the teething period or a female coming into season will lose interest in food. The concerned owner’s first response is often to tempt the dog by hand-feeding special treats and foods that the problem eater seems to prefer. This practice only serves to compound the problem. Once a dog learns to play the waiting game, he will turn up his nose at anything other than his favorite food, knowing full well that what he wants to eat will eventually arrive.

When selecting your dog’s diet, three stages of development must be considered: the puppy stage, the adult stage and the senior stage.

Puppies instinctively want to suck milk from their mother’s teats; a normal puppy will exhibit this behavior just a few moments following birth. If puppies do not attempt to suckle within the first half-hour or so, the breeder should encourage them to do so by placing them on the nipples, having selected ones with plenty of milk. This early milk supply is important in providing the essential colostrum, which protects the puppies during the first eight to ten weeks of their lives. Although a mother’s milk is much better than any commercially prepared milk formula, despite there being some excellent ones available, if the puppies do not feed, the breeder will have to feed them by hand. For those with less experience, advice from a veterinarian is important so that not only the right quantity of milk is fed but also that of correct quality, fed at suitably frequent intervals, usually every two hours during the first few days of life.

Puppies should be allowed to nurse from their mothers for about the first six weeks, although, starting around the third or fourth week, the breeder will begin to introduce small portions of suitable solid food. Most breeders like to introduce alternate milk and meat meals initially, building up to weaning time.

By the time the puppies are seven or a maximum of eight weeks old, they should be fully weaned and fed solely on a proprietary puppy food. Selection of the most suitable, good-quality diet at this time is essential, for a puppy’s fastest growth rate is during the first year of life. The frequency of meals will be reduced over time, and most breeders recommend the transition from growth-formula food to adult-maintenance diet after the puppy has reached six months of age, although most wait until nine months of age. Puppy and junior diets should be well balanced for the needs of your dog so that, except in certain circumstances, additional vitamins, minerals and proteins will not be required.

Since you should monitor how much food your Toy Fox Terrier puppy is eating, free-feeding is not recommended. Adult dogs, however, can be allowed to free-feed once they have reached their mature size.

A dog is considered an adult when he has stopped growing. In the Toy Fox, full maturity and size vary widely from bloodline to bloodline. Many will have completed their full growth by nine months of age, while others continue to grow until they are a year old. Increases in size even as late as 18–20 months of age have been reported. Therefore, there is no hard and fast rule as to when a Toy Fox reaches adulthood. As previously stated, breeders generally advise switching puppies to an adult diet after six months of age, with most waiting until nine months of age. Of course, any questions you have about when to change the diet or the suitability of the new food can be answered by your breeder or vet.

Major dog-food manufacturers specialize in adult-maintenance food, so it is merely necessary for you to select the one best suited to your dog’s needs. For example, active dogs will have different requirements than sedate dogs. Depending upon the individual dog and his general condition (weight, activity, etc.), the maintenance diet can be used with most Toy Fox Terriers until seven years of age or even older.

As dogs get older, their metabolism changes. The older dog usually exercises less, moves more slowly and sleeps more. This change in lifestyle and physiological performance requires a change in diet. Since these changes take place slowly, they might not be recognizable. What is easily recognizable is weight gain. By continuing to feed your dog an adult-maintenance diet when he is slowing down metabolically, your dog will gain weight. Obesity in an older dog compounds the health problems that already accompany old age.

As your dog gets older, few of his organs function up to par. The kidneys slow down and the intestines become less efficient. These age-related factors are best handled with a change in diet and a change in feeding schedule to give smaller portions that are more easily digested. Eight years old is usually the average age at which to consider a dog to have reached “senior status.”

There is no single best diet for every older dog. While many dogs do well on light or senior diets, other dogs do better on puppy diets or other special premium diets such as lamb and rice. Be sensitive to your senior Toy Fox Terrier’s diet, as this will help control other problems that may arise with your old friend.

Just as your dog needs proper nutrition from his food, water is an essential “nutrient” as well. Water keeps the dog’s body properly hydrated and promotes normal function of the body’s systems. During the housebreaking process, it is necessary to keep an eye on how much water your Toy Fox Terrier is drinking, but once he is reliably trained he should have access to clean fresh water at all times, especially if you feed dry food only. Make certain that the dog’s water bowl is clean, and change the water often.

Organic dog chews, like rawhide and pig ears, usually delight Toy Fox Terriers, as most of them are active chewers. Chews that are packaged are more sanitary than loose items.

Most Toy Fox Terriers are self-exercisers and will get all the exercise they need in the home and yard—walking, standing guard, investigating and following their loved ones around. This is not to say that they won’t enjoy and benefit from morning walks, games of retrieving balls in the fenced yard, hikes over mountain trails or exploring tide pools along the beach. On the other hand, if your own exercise proclivities lie closer to a nice walk around the block than to a long run, your Toy Fox will be just as satisfied. The Toy Fox Terrier is not a breed that requires taking your energy level to its outer limits.

Most Toy Fox Terriers are very “busy” dogs and, if your Toy Fox shares his life with young children or other dogs, he could easily be getting all the exercise he needs to stay fit. The Toy Fox Terrier is always ready for a romp with a playmate or to invent some new game that entails plenty of aerobic activity.

Slow steady exercise that keeps your companion’s heart rate in the working range will do nothing but extend the dog’s life. If your Toy Fox Terrier is getting his needed activity with you at his side, you are increasing the chances that the two of you will enjoy each other’s company for many more years to come.

DRINK, DRANK, DRUNK—MAKE IT A DOUBLE

In both humans and dogs, as well as other living organisms, water forms the major part of nearly every body tissue. Naturally, we take water for granted, but without it, life as we know it would cease.

For dogs, water is needed to keep their bodies functioning biochemically. Additionally, water is needed to replace the water lost while panting. Unlike humans, who are able to sweat to dissipate heat, dogs must pant to cool down, thereby losing the vital water from their bodies need to regulate their body temperatures. Humans lose electrolyte-containing products and other body-fluid components through sweating; dogs do not lose anything except water.

Water is essential always, but especially so when the weather is hot or humid or when your dog is exercising or working vigorously.

Naturally, common sense must prevail regarding the extent and the intensity of the exercise you give your Toy Fox Terrier. Remember that young puppies have short bursts of energy and then require long rest periods. Again—short exercise periods and long rest stops for any Toy Fox Terrier under 12 months of age. Young dogs and puppies must be kept from jumping on and off chairs, climbing steps, etc. Young bones are extremely fragile, and this should be kept in mind with all exercise that you do with your Toy Fox under one year of age.

Most adult Toy Fox Terriers will willingly walk as far as, perhaps further than, their owners are inclined to go; this even applies to elderly dogs. Daily walks, combined with moderated game-playing in the yard, can keep even the most senior Toy Fox Terrier in fine fettle. Remember, if playing games or walking with the Toy Fox at any age, that he must be kept on-leash or in a securely fenced area. You want your dog to run, not to run away!

Caution and common sense must be exercised in hot weather, of course, with dogs of all ages, young and old. Plan your walks for the first thing in the morning if at all possible. If you can not arrange to do this, wait until the sun has set and the outdoor temperature has dropped to a comfortable degree.

Cold weather is no problem for the Toy Fox Terrier, who has his own little jacket, if he is kept active. However, do not push your Toy Fox Terrier out the door in freezing weather and forget that he’s there! The breed does not have the protective undercoat to protect him in that kind of weather.

Do not allow your Toy Fox Terrier to remain wet if the two of you get caught in the rain while out walking. At the very least, you should towel-dry the wet Toy Fox Terrier. Better still, use your blow dryer, on the lowest setting, to make sure that your Toy Fox Terrier is thoroughly dry on those damp and chilly days.

Bear in mind that an overweight dog should never be suddenly over-exercised; instead, he should be encouraged to increase exercise slowly. Also remember that not only is exercise essential to keep the dog’s body fit, it is essential to his mental well-being. A bored dog will find something to do, which often manifests itself in some type of destructive behavior. In this sense, exercise is essential for the owner’s mental well-being as well!

EXERCISE ALERT!

You should be careful where you exercise your dog. Many areas have been sprayed with chemicals that are highly toxic to both dogs and humans. Never allow your dog to eat grass or drink from puddles on either public or private grounds, as the run-off water may contain chemicals from sprays and herbicides.

Regular brushing using a soft-bristled brush and bathing on the rare occasions that the need arises are all the grooming that your Toy Fox Terrier’s coat will ever need. Even if yours is a show dog, the Toy Fox Terrier is shown au naturel—although your breeder will undoubtedly be happy to show you a few “tricks of the trade” that will help make your little fellow look picture-pretty.

Toy Fox Terriers require little grooming, but they should be brushed to remove dead hair and dirt and to stimulate the dog’s natural oils.

Brushing is effective for removing dirt and dead hair, and stimulating the dog’s natural oils to add shine and a healthy look to the coat. Although the Toy Fox Terrier’s coat is short and close, it does require a five-minute once-over on a regular basis to keep it looking its shiny best. Grooming sessions are also a good way to spend time with your dog. Many dogs grow to like the feel of being brushed and will enjoy the routine.

It is neither necessary nor recommended to bathe your Toy Fox Terrier frequently, but it is inevitable that the need for a bath will arise once in a while. Again, like most anything, if you introduce your pup to the bath as a puppy, it will be easier for both of you when he is an adult. You want your dog to be at ease in the bath or else it could end up a wet, soapy, messy ordeal for both of you!

Brush your Toy Fox Terrier thoroughly before wetting his coat. This will get rid of any debris and dead hair, which are easier to remove when the coat is dry. Put your Toy Fox in the basin, making certain that he has a good non-slip surface on which to stand. Begin by wetting the dog’s coat, checking the water temperature to make sure that it is neither too hot nor too cold for the dog. A shower or hose attachment is necessary for thoroughly wetting and rinsing the coat.

Next, apply shampoo to the dog’s coat and work it into a good lather. Wash the head last, as you do not want shampoo to drip into the dog’s eyes while you are washing the rest of his body. You should use only a shampoo that is made for dogs. Do not use a product made for human hair. Work the shampoo all the way down to the skin. You can use this opportunity to check the skin for any bumps, bites or other abnormalities. Do not neglect any area of the body—get all of the hard-to-reach places.

Once the dog has been thoroughly shampooed, he requires an equally thorough rinsing. Shampoo left in the coat can be irritating to the dog’s skin. Protect his eyes from the shampoo by shielding them with your hand and directing the flow of water in the opposite direction. You also should avoid getting water in the ear canal. Be prepared for your dog to shake out his coat—you might want to stand back, but make sure you have a hold on the dog to keep him from running through the house.

Have an absorbent towel on hand to soak up most of the water from your dog’s coat. You may want to finish the job with a blow dryer. Use only the lowest heat setting, as you do not want to burn the dog’s skin while drying. It is important to dry the dog thoroughly, especially in colder weather.

PRICK UP YOUR EARS

Most Toy Fox Terriers have upright ears that are broad and open to the air. For health and maintenance purposes, pricked ears are preferred. In addition to being more open to the air, they are also easier to keep clean. Dogs with natural drop ears often succumb to bacterial problems, largely due to a damp, dark outer ear that is not kept clean and dry. Probing in the dog’s ear with a cotton swab is not recommended as it can be dangerous if not done with extreme care.

The ears should be kept clean with a cotton ball and ear powder or liquid made especially for dogs. Do not probe into the ear canal with anything, as this can cause injury. Be on the lookout for any signs of infection or ear-mite infestation. If your Toy Fox Terrier has been shaking his head or scratching at his ears frequently, this usually indicates a problem. If the dog’s ears have an unusual odor, this is a sure sign of mite infestation or infection, and a signal to have his ears checked by the veterinarian.

BATHING BEAUTY

Once you are sure that the dog is thoroughly rinsed, squeeze the excess water out of his coat with your hand and dry him with a heavy towel. You may choose to use a blow dryer on low heat on his coat or just let it dry naturally. In cold weather, never allow your dog outside with a wet coat.

There are “dry bath” products on the market, which are sprays and powders intended for spot cleaning, that can be used between regular baths if necessary. They are not substitutes for regular baths, but they are easy to use for touch-ups as they do not require rinsing.

Grooming time is the best time to accustom your Toy Fox Terrier to having his nails trimmed and his feet inspected. Always inspect your dog’s feet for cracked pads. Check between the toes for splinters and thorns. Pay particular attention to any swollen or tender areas.

The nails of a Toy Fox Terrier who spends most of his time indoors or on grass when outdoors can grow long very quickly. Do not allow your dog’s nails to become overgrown and then expect to cut them back easily.

Each nail has a blood vessel running through the center called the “quick.” The quick grows close to the end of the nail and contains very sensitive nerve endings. If the nail is allowed to grow too long, it will be impossible to cut it back to a proper length without cutting into the quick. This causes severe pain to the dog and can also result in a great deal of bleeding that can be very difficult to stop.

If your Toy Fox Terrier is getting plenty of exercise on cement or rough hard pavement, the nails may be sufficiently worn down on their own. Otherwise, the nails must be trimmed with nail clippers made expressly for dogs. These clippers can be purchased at pet-supply stores.

Hold your dog’s foot in your hand and proceed with caution, removing only a small portion of the nail at a time. Should the quick be nipped in the trimming process, there are any number of blood-clotting products available at pet shops (or you can use those that a person uses for shaving) that will almost immediately stem the flow of blood. It is wise to have one of these products on hand in case there is a nail-trimming accident or the dog tears a nail on his own.

You will find that most Toy Fox Terriers will not have nail clipping on their lists of favorite things to do! In fact, you may find that having someone to help you makes the job much easier on both you and the dog—one person to hold the dog, the other to clip. Also, the earlier in life that you accustom your Toy Fox to nail clipping, the less of a problem it will be as the dog grows up. Nail maintenance will be part of your grooming routine throughout the dog’s life. A dog’s long nails can scratch someone unintentionally and also have a better chance of ripping and bleeding, or causing the feet to spread. A good rule of thumb is that if you can hear your dog’s nails’ clicking on the floor when he walks, his nails are too long.

The ears should be cleaned weekly with ear powder or liquid and a soft cotton wipe.

A flea comb is ideal for removing any parasites from your Toy Fox Terrier’s coat. This type of metal comb has short teeth that penetrate through the coat to reach the skin.

A soft-bristle brush or a hound glove is ideal for giving the Toy Fox’s short coat a weekly once-over.

Nail Clipping

With black or dark nails, it’s best to clip only a small bit of the nail at a time or to use a file where the quick is not visible.

In light-colored nails, clipping is much simpler because you can see the vein (or quick) that grows inside the nail casing.

Most toy breeds have dental problems and will often suffer from early tooth loss. Toy Fox Terriers are no exception. You can help stave off these problems by providing your dog with hard dog biscuits and chews in the sizes meant just for the toy breeds. Chewing helps keep tartar and plaque from forming. Build-up of either of these can cause extensive and permanent damage to the teeth and gums.

Brushing your dog’s teeth at least two or three time a week can prevent tooth decay and the necessity of having your veterinarian take care of advanced problems under anesthesia. You will brush your dog’s teeth in the same manner as you brush your own, but using tooth-brushing products made especially for dogs. The pastes and powders we use on our own teeth most often contain sugars that will do more harm than good.

Will your Toy Fox Terrier allow you to brush his teeth? But of course! Your dog is well trained and you started doing this with him in puppyhood.

You should accustom your Toy Fox Terrier to riding in a car at an early age. You may or may not take him in the car often, but at the very least he will need to go to the vet and you do not want these trips to be traumatic for the dog or troublesome for you. The safest way for a dog to ride in the car is in his crate. If he uses a crate in the house, you can use the same crate for travel or a separate travel crate.

Put the pup in the crate and see how he reacts. If he seems uneasy, you can have a passenger hold him on his lap while you drive. Regardless, do not let the dog roam loose in the vehicle—this is very dangerous! If you should stop short, your dog can be thrown and injured. If the dog starts climbing on you and pestering you while you are driving, you will not be able to concentrate on the road. It is an unsafe situation for everyone—human and canine.

Brushing your dog’s teeth is quite simple, but must be started when the dog is still a puppy. Use instruments and products made specifically for dogs.

For long trips, be prepared to stop to let the dog relieve himself. Take with you whatever you need to clean up after him, including some paper towels and perhaps some old bath towels or rags for use should he have a potty accident in the car or suffer from motion sickness.

Use your dog’s crate whenever traveling in the car. This is the safest and least troublesome method of car travel with your Toy Fox Terrier.

Remember that no dog should ever be left in a car in hot weather! Temperatures can soar in a matter of minutes and your dog can die of heat exhaustion in less time than you would ever imagine. Rolling down the windows helps little and is dangerous at any time, but an overheated dog will surely panic and attempt to escape through the open window. A word to the wise—leave your dog at home in a cool room on hot days.

Check in advance with your chosen airline before proceeding with air travel plans that include your Toy Fox Terrier, as arrangements will have to be made ahead of time and you’ll need to comply with all of the airline’s regulations. For example, the dog will be required to travel in a fiberglass crate that meets specific requirements of size, type and labeling, and you will also need to provide current health documentation.

As the owner of a Toy Fox Terrier, you are lucky in that you probably will be able to “carry on” your dog in his crate, as many airlines allow small breeds to travel with their owners in the cabin of the plane. To help put the dog at ease, give your dog one of his favorite toys in the crate. Do not feed the dog for several hours before the trip in order to minimize his need to relieve himself. However, certain airlines require you to provide documentation as to when the dog has last been fed. In any case, a light meal is best.

Make sure that your dog is properly identified and that your contact information appears on his ID tags and on his crate. Although your Toy Fox should be permitted to travel in the same part of the plane that you do, every rule still must be strictly followed to prevent the risk of getting separated from your dog.

So you want to take a family vacation—and you want to include all members of the family. You would probably make arrangements for accommodations ahead of time anyway, but this is especially important when traveling with a dog. You do not want to make an overnight stop at the only place around for miles, only to find out that they do not allow dogs. Also, you do not want to reserve a place for your family without confirming that you are traveling with a dog, because, if it is against the hotel’s policy, you may end up without a place to stay.

Alternatively, if you are traveling and choose not to bring your Toy Fox Terrier, you will have to make arrangements for him while you are away. Some options are to take him to a friend’s house to stay while you are gone, to have a trusted friend stop by often or stay at your house or to bring your dog to a reputable boarding kennel. If you choose to board him at a kennel, you should visit in advance to see the facilities provided and where the dogs are kept. Are the dogs’ areas spacious and kept clean? Talk to some of the employees and observe how they treat the dogs—do they spend time with the dogs, play with them, exercise them, etc.? Also find out the kennel’s policy on vaccinations and what they require. This is for all of the dogs’ safety, since there is a greater risk of diseases being passed from dog to dog when dogs are kept together.

COLLAR REQUIRED

If your dog gets lost, he is not able to ask for directions home. Identification tags fastened to the collar give important information—the dog’s name, the owner’s name, the owner’s address and a telephone number where the owner can be reached. This makes it easy for whomever finds the dog to contact the owner and arrange to have the dog returned. An added advantage is that a person will be more likely to approach a lost dog who has ID tags on his collar; it tells the person that this is somebody’s pet rather than a stray. This is the easiest and fastest method of identification, provided that the tags stay on the collar and the collar stays on the dog.

Visit local boarding kennels before you actually need to use one’s services. Look for cleanliness, roominess and a knowledgeable, caring staff.

Your Toy Fox Terrier is your valued companion and friend. That is why you always keep a close eye on him and you have made sure that he cannot escape from the yard or wriggle out of his collar. However, accidents can happen and there may come a time when your dog unexpectedly becomes separated from you. If this unfortunate event should occur, the first thing on your mind will be finding him. Proper identification, including an ID tag, and possibly a tattoo and/or a microchip, will increase the chances of his being returned to you safely and quickly.

IDENTIFICATION OPTIONS

As puppies become more and more expensive, especially those puppies of high quality for showing and/or breeding, they have a greater chance of being stolen. The usual collar dog tag is, of course, easily removed. But there are two more permanent techniques that have become widely used for identifying dogs.

The puppy microchip implantation involves the injection of a small microchip, about the size of a corn kernel, under the skin of the dog. If your dog shows up at a clinic or shelter, or is offered for resale under less-than-savory circumstances, it can be positively identified by the microchip. The microchip is scanned, and a registry quickly identifies you as the owner.

Tattooing is done on various parts of the dog, from his belly to his ears. The number tattooed can be your telephone number, the dog’s registration number or any other number that you can easily memorize. When professional dog thieves see a tattooed dog, they usually lose interest. For the safety of our dogs, no laboratory facility or dog broker will accept a tattooed dog as stock.

Discuss microchipping and tattooing with your vet and breeder. Some vets perform these services on their own premises for a reasonable fee. To ensure that the dog’s ID is effective, be certain that the dog is then properly registered with a legitimate national database.