Caring for Your Toy Scottish Fox Terrier: Key Health Concerns and Solutions

by Renee Fong. Reviewed by Fitpetgo

Updated: Sep 15, 2024

Introduction

The Toy Scottish Fox Terrier is a small, sturdy dog breed that originated in Scotland. Also known as the West Highland White Terrier (Westie) and affectionately referred to as Scotchies, they were bred primarily for hunting pests like foxes, rodents, and badgers.

This diminutive canine boasts an energetic personality and an unwavering loyalty towards its family and human companions. Today, they are often kept as pets in households where owners are willing to invest time in raising them appropriately.

Despite their robust character traits, Toy Scottish Fox Terriers have garnered fame for requiring specialized care due to their temperament, grooming needs, and potential health problems such as their relatively short lifespan.

General Care

Providing proper general care for your pet is vital. To do so, consider the following essential factors:

Nutrition

Distribute nutrient-rich food during each mealtime throughout the day. Aim to give puppy-specific food if they are less than six months, and then switch them over once six weeks have been crossed. They require about one-fourth more nutrients per day due to high metabolic rates.

Maintain consistency and avoid abrupt diet changes to support growth during their first year. Monitor your pup's reaction closely; consider adding new foods gradually as necessary.

Shelter

Toy Scottish Fox Terriers thrive most in roomy environments because they are relatively energetic dogs, so adequate exercise spaces such as parks or a backyard suitable for them to run about must always be available.

Provide regular shelter maintenance (including keeping areas free from dirt buildup).

Some breeds have very unique features requiring specific pet bed placement, avoid exposing theirs under harshly direct natural sunlight and wind gusts.

Exercise

Due to high energy consumption due to size, these fox terriers can't live a healthy life without plenty of workout routines. Establish regular jogging times or walking sessions regularly – for an example, approximately thirty minutes morning and evening would work out the minimum but recommended.

For adult Toy Fox Terriers, engage your pet in fun activities such as chasing feather toys on weekends off from more busy days to prevent boredom and overexertion issues sometimes caused due excessive enthusiasm sometimes.

Hygiene

When dealing with regular grooming sessions or cleaning products like vacuum cleaners near their spaces make sure pets remain calm through this process:

• For newborn puppies: bathe weekly
• Older dogs (over 6 months): Bathe every 8-12 weeks, as too frequent will cause your pet's skin to become dry.