fox terrier

American

noun

either of two English breeds of small terriers having either a long, wiry coat or a short, flat coat, formerly used for driving foxes from their holes.

fox terrier British

noun

either of two breeds of small terrier, the wire-haired and the smooth, having a white coat with markings of black or tan or both

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fox terrier

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"My grandfather used to have a smooth fox terrier and I remember seeing an old home film with it in and wondering what type of dog it was," he added.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2025

They were sentiments echoed earlier in the day by Mike Bordas, who was walking his fox terrier mix, Murray, behind Grand Central Market.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2023

The Irish water spaniel, wire fox terrier, Labrador, and basset hound also sport mugs that are scientifically proven to pull at our heartstrings.

From Salon • Jun. 27, 2022

Since 1997, she has lived with a Shih Tzu and a fox terrier in a rowhouse that her dad gave her.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2022

She gave her all kinds of news and gossip, and reported on the goings-on at Down, including those that involved Etty’s dog, Polly, a rough-haired fox terrier, whom she left there.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023