Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed ComparisonFox Terrier (Smooth) is originated from United Kingdom but Belgian Shepherd is originated from Belgium. Fox Terrier (Smooth) may grow 25 cm / 9 inches shorter than Belgian Shepherd. Fox Terrier (Smooth) may weigh 21 kg / 46 pounds lesser than Belgian Shepherd. Both Fox Terrier (Smooth) and Belgian Shepherd has almost same life span. Both Fox Terrier (Smooth) and Belgian Shepherd has almost same litter size. Both Fox Terrier (Smooth) and Belgian Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance.

History

fox terrier smooth - historyThe 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.

belgian shepherd - historyThere are different varieties of the Belgian Shepherd Dog – but these all differ only in color, length and texture of coat. The interesting aspect of the names of the different Belgian Shepherds, is that the names of the different varieties are taken from the individual towns in Belguim from which each variety comes from.

This breed dates back to the middle ages, but it was only in 1891 that Professor A. Reul of the Cureghem Veterinary Medical School established standards for the types and actually separated- and distinguishing them. In the UK they are shown as one breed.

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.

Different Varieties

belgian shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Belgian Shepherd is a well proportioned, muscular medium-to-large dog breed. There are the different varieties but they generally stands at 56 – 66cm in height and weighs anything from 25 to 30kg. You get the short haired Malinois and then you also get the Belgian Tervuren and the Groenendal which are fairly long-haired varieties. Their colour shades vary so you can find black with white markings on the chest and feet, you can find light to dark brown and some are even inclined to be brown.

Not Aggressive but a Great Guardian

All the varieties have long tails, pointed, fully erect ears and black noses. While the Belgian Shepherd isn’t an aggressive dog, he makes an excellent guard dog, being alert, highly energetic and intelligent and easy to train. As with most other dogs, you’ll want to see to it that he is trained and socialized because then he makes a super pet suited to life with a family where there are children and other pets. He has an independent nature and is loyal and protective with his human family.

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

belgian shepherd dog - characteristicsEnergy is a big factor with this beautiful dog, so before you consider one as a pet, be sure that you can take care of his exercise needs. He belongs to the working group of dogs so he won’t enjoy just lazing around day after day. He is wired to be herding livestock and that natural instinct doesn’t disappear once he becomes a pet in your home. With so much energy, he wants a nice sized garden and wouldn’t do well cooped up indoors at all.

He is a strong, loving dog, and in exchange for your care of him, he will be a loyal, loving, protective friend who will love you to the end.

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.

belgian shepherd puppies - health problemsThe Belgian Shepherd is a hardy dog so if you do your part to provide him with good quality nutrition from the food he eats and you exercise him, he’ll reach the 10-14 years allotted to him. Just like with any dog, there will be some minor concerns that you need to watch out for -

epilepsy, eye problems, cancer, skin allergies and hip dysplasia.

remember to check his teeth and for ticks and parasites as both, if just left, can jeopardise his health seriously.

see that he get his first puppy vaccinations at 6 to 8 weeks of age.

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.

Exercise

belgian shepherd dogs - caringYour Belgian Shepherd is an energetic dog breed who is social and who wants to be included in your family activities. You can’t just keep him cooped up in your back yard and expect him to do well. He’ll need daily exercise – walks, swims if there is water close by, chasing the ball as well as your companionship.

Grooming and shedding

These dogs are shedders so you’ll certainly be needing to watch your clothes for hairs. You will need to give them a good brush at least twice a week to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep his coat shiny and in tip top condition. Also, he likes the closeness the brushing provides between him and his human caretaker.

Feeding your Belgian Shepherd

The Belgian Shepherd is a robust, healthy breed of dog, but many ill dogs are brought to veterinary clinics because they are suffering with itchy skin problems, they have digestive problems and they’re generally run down. This is because they aren’t provided with a varied and balanced diet plan. Apart from eating a quality dry- or wet dog food as recommended by your vet, he’ll most certainly need some raw meat in his diet too.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Belgium
Height Male:
36 - 41 cm
14 - 17 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
52 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 9 kg
15 - 20 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
6 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Smooths Fox Terrier Smooth Coat, Foxy, SFT
Belgian Sheepdog Chien de Berger Belge
Colors Available:
white with brown, black, tan or ginger markings
depends on variety - black with white, brown
Coat:
dense, flat
short- and long-haired varieties
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful, Social, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  2. Alaskan Malamute vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Bullmastiff vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  5. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  6. Presa Canario vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  7. Labrador Husky vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  8. Argentine Dogo vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  10. Belgian Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  11. Belgian Shepherd vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  12. Belgian Shepherd vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  13. Belgian Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  14. Belgian Shepherd vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Belgian Shepherd vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  16. Belgian Shepherd vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  17. Belgian Shepherd vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Shepherd vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  19. Belgian Shepherd vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  20. Belgian Shepherd vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  21. Goldador vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Dogo Cubano vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  26. Schnauzer vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  28. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  35. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  39. Lakeland Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  40. Jagdterrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  41. Indian Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  43. Japanese Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  44. Old English Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  45. Scoland Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  46. Skye Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  47. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  48. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  49. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  50. Welsh Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds