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Toy Foxy Russell (Toy Fox Terrier & Jack Russell Terrier Mix) Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Emma Braby

Toy Foxy Russell (Toy Fox Terrier & Jack Russell Terrier Mix)

Height: 13–14 inches
Weight: 7–11 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: Brown, white, cream, red and pied
Suitable for: Active families, experienced dog handlers, patient owners, families with young children
Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, feisty, stubborn, loving, difficult to train, good with children and other dogs

If you were to describe the Toy Foxy Russell in just three words, it would be a little pocket rocket. Full of fun, energy, and a zest for life, this guy will bring sunshine into your family home. Complete with a ton of stubbornness, he is sure to keep you and the whole family on their toes.

He is the hybrid mix of the Toy Fox Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier. Just like both of his parents, the Toy Foxy Russell is not for the first-time owner, or those seeking a fully obedient pooch. But if you invest a lot of time and effort into him, you’ll soon have a family companion that is well-behaved (most of the time).

Don’t take this guy on hastily, you must research him thoroughly so that you know what to expect from him. In this complete breed guide, we’ll take you through his temperant, intelligence, energy levels, grooming and training needs, and much more. So, let’s take a look at what this foxy guy has to offer.

Divider 1Toy Foxy Russell Puppies

foxy toy terrier puppy
Image Credit: Teresa Jane, Shutterstock
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Toy Foxy Russell, although relatively easy to care for in almost all aspects of his life, is an intense pooch. If you are thinking about welcoming him into the family fold, there are two main aspects of his personality that are not to everyone’s taste.

Firstly, this guy is stubborn beyond belief. So, if you’re looking for a dog that will always do what is asked, this guy is not for you. The Toy Foxy Russell is stubborn and tenacious and does things as and when he pleases, not when you want him too.  For those who expect a submissive pup, or are used to obedient dogs, this can be quite frustrating. But, it is all part of his Foxy Russell charm.

Secondly, the Toy Foxy Russell is surprisingly super energetic for a small dog. You’ll need to set aside at least 60 to 90 minutes of exercise every day. Otherwise, he’ll become frustrated and bored. And a bored stiff Toy Foxy Russell is not a good combo, so don’t underestimate his exercise needs.

In addition to this, he’ll also need a lot of mental stimulation throughout the day too. Doggy toys and other brain games are a great way to keep his mind active and satisfied. He’ll quickly turn his terrier tenacity onto your furniture and other homely belongings if you can’t match his needs – you have been warned.

As with any mixed dog, remember that he can inherit the traits of either parent. Never assume, or set your hopes on the fact that he’ll be like one of his parents more than the other because you can never be sure. This is why you must research both of his parents, so you know what to expect however he turns out. Thankfully, unlike some designer dogs, his parents are quite similar to one another, so there is a level of certainty here.

If, after reading this short intro, you’re second-guessing whether he is the one for you, you should find a different breed. But, if you’re able to be patient with his stubborn side, and you can meet his energy needs, you’re in for a fantastic canine companion. If it’s a yes so far, let’s read on…

Divider 8

3 Little-Known Facts About the Toy Foxy Russell

1. The Toy Foxy Russell is also known as Foxy Russell

On the designer doggy block, this handsome little guy is also known as Foxy Russell. Foxy Russell turns heads and has everyone swooning over him. If you can keep up with him, he’s quite the canine catch! But on a serious note, when searching for a reputable breeder, be sure to use this other name too. Breeders might refer to their pups as Foxy Russells, so this will save you time scrolling through pages of search engine results.


2. The Toy Foxy Russell is not a typical toy dog

He is more like a typical terrier packed into a tiny toy body. If you are looking for a calm and collected lapdog, this guy is anything but. If you are looking for a small but energetic dog, full of funny terrier character, he is a great choice.


3. The Toy Foxy Russell will not grow into his larger-than-life ears

As a puppy, his ears might seem too big for his body, and you might think he’ll grow into him. But the chances are they will always look huge, but this is all a part of his gorgeous charm. His huge fox-like ears will drop down, stand tall and proud, or he’ll sometimes have one of each.

Parent Breeds of the Toy Foxy Russell
Image Credit: Jumpstory

Temperament & Intelligence of the Toy Foxy Russell 🧠

You already know that the Toy Foxy Russell is energetic and stubborn. But, thankfully, there is much more to his personality. Full of beans and having a love for life equals lots of fun for you and the whole family. He’ll always be ready for a game of fetch or a weekend full of adventures. This guy is a great canine sidekick who will be up for almost anything you can think of.

He’s also always the soul of the party, whether that be with his close family or strangers. He doesn’t really care who he plays with, as long as they are fun. This makes him a great addition to sociable families who are always having guests over or parties, because this only means more playmates for him.

When he’s not busy having fun, you might find him wanting a cuddle with his family. His small stature makes him a comfortable lapdog, and he’ll fit himself into the smallest of gaps between his family members on the sofa.

Despite being stubborn as heck, he is a loyal dog who will stick by his master’s side. Like all terrier’s, he wants to please his master, but only when it suits him. Being a social butterfly, he isn’t the guard dog of choice, but this courageous pup will step in the face of danger to protect his master and family if he feels the need to.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Toy Foxy Russell is slightly more robust than his Toy Fox Terrier parent, thanks to his sturdier Jack Russell genes. This means that he is a great family companion for families with younger kids, and he is tolerant of excitable children.

Although he is very friendly, he can be a barky dog who will let you know that there is something, or someone, about. This is a fantastic trait if you are looking for a canine lookout, but no so great if you have sensitive neighbors or noise restrictions in place.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Toy Foxy Russell is also a great addition to a multi-dog household, just as long as he is socialized well as a pup. Just like any dog, if he is not socialized well, there is a high chance that he will not get along with other pooches in the house.

When it comes to other pets, he is not that accepting. Because both of his parents were bred to be ratters, in other words, their purpose was to kill rats, they are not suitable for homes with any kind of rodent. They are generally not that accepting of cats either, so he should be placed into a dog-friendly home only.

This also means that his home and yard need to be secure because his favorite pastime is terrorizing the local cats and rats. He can easily scale a 6-foot fence, so be sure to remove everything that he could use as a jumping platform.

Fox terrier and Jack Russell playing in studio_nazarovsergey_Shutterstock
Image Credit: nazarovsergey, Shutterstock

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Toy Foxy Russell:

The Toy Foxy Russell has certain things that he needs from his owners. Thankfully, other than his exercise and training needs, he is relatively easy to care for in every other aspect of his life. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Toy Foxy Russell will consume 1 cup of high-quality kibble every day. This will be dependant on his size, energy levels, and age. Just be sure to follow the package instructions, and your pup’s own individual needs to avoid malnourishment or weight gain.

Because of his compact mouth, you will need to buy a kibble that is specially designed for small breed puppies. These are designed with optimum nutrients for his smaller body, as well as smaller kibble pieces for his mouth.

High-quality kibbles will provide him with a well-balanced diet, high-quality meat sources, and added vitamin and mineral supplements too. They will also help to break down the build-up of plaque, which is essential for smaller breeds like this guy who is known to suffer from periodontal diseases.

Exercise 🐕

The Toy Foxy Russell will need at least 60 minutes of exercise every day for him to be happy and healthy. He may need a bit more than this, so he needs to be homed with an active family who can keep up with him and guarantees him an intense level of daily exercise.

He is also a very intelligent dog, and so he would benefit from a mixture of activities to keep his brain engaged and challenged. Activities such as mixing him with other dogs down the local doggy park, flyball, or long-distance jogging will keep him super happy and fit.

Because of his ratting instinct, it is advised that you do not let this guy off-leash in a public place. Otherwise, you risk that he will bolt at first sight or whiff of a rodent, and you’ll be hard-pressed to catch up with him.

Training 🦮

As you already know, the Toy Foxy Russell is a stubborn dog who needs an experienced dog owner who knows how to handle independent dogs. The trick here is to start as early as possible, be consistent with your training, and never give in to his sometimes diva attitude. Keeping training sessions short and sweet will also enhance your chances of keeping his attention.

Make sure that your pup is socialized well from a young age, and mix him with as many dogs as you possibly can. Also, be sure to expose him to unfamiliar surroundings, experiences, noises, and sights so that he grows into a confident dog.

Grooming ✂️

The Toy Foxy Russell’s grooming schedule is relatively easy, which is ideal considering how much time you’ll be exercising and playing with him instead. He has a short coat that is sleek and shiny, and he’ll only need brushing once a week to keep him looking healthy.

He’ll need a bath once every 8 to 12 weeks, depending on how dirty he gets when on his adventures. Just be sure not to wash him more than the recommended amount. Otherwise, you risk damaging his natural skin oils.

Remember his larger-than-life ears that we spoke of earlier, well these will need cleaning once a week because they’ll catch a lot of dirt. His eyes will need washing, his nails clipping, and teeth brushing just the same as any other small dog.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Toy Foxy Russell is a relatively healthy mixed dog who enjoys a long lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Just like all dog breeds, be that mixed or purebred, certain health conditions will affect him. So be sure to make yourself aware of the below health conditions and their symptoms.

Minor Conditions
  • Lens luxation
  • Glaucoma
Serious Conditions
  • Patellar luxation
  • Demodectic mange
  • Von Willebrand’s disease
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Legg-calve-perthes-disease

Divider 5Male vs. Female

There is not much difference between male and female Toy Foxy Russells. The main difference is that males are usually bigger than females. Some owners state that males are sometimes more energetic and boisterous than females. However, this is not proven to be accurate, or always the case, so do not count on this fact.

Divider 3Final Thoughts

The Toy Foxy Russell is a toy to small-sized pooch who is full to the brim with character. As long as you have experience of living with and training stubborn dogs, and you have the time and energy to exercise him, this relationship should be a match made in heaven.

As long as his basic needs are met, he is an adaptable dog who gets along well with all humans and other dogs. He isn’t a fan of cats, and he hates (or loves?) rats and rodents, so living with these guys is a big no-no for the Toy Foxy Russell.

He is fun to be with, and after a long day of messing around, he will also enjoy a snuggle on the sofa with his family. Although he is stubborn, he is full of love for his family, and he is a delightful designer doggy to have around.

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Featured Image Credit: nazarovsergey, Shutterstock

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