Feet should be round, compact, and not large; the soles hard and tough; the toes moderately arched, and turned neither in nor out.

 
 

Hindquarters - Should be strong and muscular, quite free from droop or crouch; the thighs long and powerful, stifles well curved and turned neither in nor out; hocks well bent and near the ground should be perfectly upright and parallel each with the other when viewed from behind, the dog standing well up on them like a Foxhound, and not straight in stifle. The worst possible form of hindquarters consists of a short second thigh and a straight stifle. Both fore and hind legs should be carried straight forward in traveling, the stifles not turning outward. Feet as in front.
 
 

The forelegs must be neither down in pasterns nor knuckled over forward of the pastern joint. This does not mean that the very "keen" dog should be penalized for leaning forward on their toes when on the alert. The feet should have short, well-arched toes with thick pads - the classic cat-foot. It is the highest of praise to say of a Smooth that it "has no feet," meaning that the toes barely project beyond the pastern when seen in profile. The rear legs should be well bent at the stifle, with hocks low to the ground, but angulation must not be excessive. Over bent stifles are weak in actual propulsive power and more often than not indicate "sickle-hocks."
 
 

Coat - should be smooth, flat, but hard, dense and abundant. The belly and underside of the thighs should not be bare.

Color - White should predominate; brindle, red or liver markings are objectionable. Otherwise this point is of little or no importance.
 
 

The coat of the Smooth may vary in length and density according to breeding, grooming and climate, but should always be flat, with a hard topcoat. The hair under the tuck-up and inside the thighs is usually trimmed short, but not bald, as in some single-coated breeds.

The colors of the Smooth may be solid white (as discussed earlier, eye rims should have dark pigment); White and tan; white and black, with tan shadings - all "white and black" Smooths are actually tri-colors, although the amount of tan that appears over the eyes, on the cheeks, at the vent, etc., varies considerably with the individual. These tan markings are in the black are traditional and genetic and should never be colored out when grooming. Tan may be taken to mean any reasonably solid of reddish tan, with or without black points or shading. Many dogs are sable marked. Brindling should be penalized.

Although white should predominate, no preference of any kind should be given to placement of markings. The type, structure and character of the dog is paramount and the attractiveness or lack of it conferred by markings is extraneous to the intent of the standard. The "would-be" judge of the Smooth Fox Terrier must be ever cautious of the illusions cast by markings...Many considered excellent adjudicators find themselves confusing a splash of color from the off side with a dip in the topline. Ticking on legs and body is not uncharacteristic and should on no account be penalized. Judges must also remember that the preferred coloration is more than half white over the total body mass and may be all white. The variation of markings that is possible in the breed is a part of its great heritage, to be preserved and respected by all. When evaluating the Smooth, do consider the extent to which the placement of markings affects the appearance rather than the reality of its conformation, and make every effort to assess structure rather than illusion.
 
 

Temperament - The dog must present a generally gay, lively and active appearance.
 
 

The Smooth should never take the lead in aggressive action toward humans. On the other hand, he should never retreat when challenged by canine competitors. It is for this reason that the Terrier judge must exercise caution when they feel the need to "spar" exhibits. A safe and reasonable distance must be maintained at all times. Likewise, do not let the more experienced dog, or handler, take advantage of the younger, more inexperienced. (Discussed further in Wire section.)
 
 

Disqualifications - Ears prick, tulip or rose. Nose white, cherry or spotted to a considerable extent with either of these colors. Mouth much undershot, or much overshot.

Endnote: The Smooth Fox Terrier is the epitome of "what you see is what you get." If the handler must show the Smooth to you "hands-on," the essence of the breed is lost in that exhibit. Smooths portray the basic nature of the proud, "take me or leave me," I can do it by myself Terrier. Judge them on their own merit. The handlers that make themselves observable to the judge do the exhibit worthy of notice no favor.

I would like to close this presentation with a quote, as best as I can remember it, from one of the most inspirational ladies I have ever known in this world of dogs. Several years ago, the wonderful Thelma Brown said, "The Terrier ring is a ring in motion. It is up to the judge to position themselves to get the best picture the Terrier can present. It is not for the handler to hold the dog in position or mesmerize it with liver." Truer words were never spoken!

Q. As a Sporting enthusiast, I have always asked that dogs are moved on a loose lead...however, when judging terriers, and I ask for this it seems impossible for the handlers to follow my instructions:-(((...I would love >for this to be the norm, but see it very seldom in the ring..so how can you >see how the dog truly moves??? keep asking them to move the dog until they >'finally' loosen the pressure of the lead??

A. Sadly, many of the "better" Terrier handlers sincerely feel that they own the ring. They can and do intimidate many judges...even many of the "old timers" will not buck them for fear of banishment from the circle. So, they show their charges as they please and the way that truly has been effective for them and their illustrious predecessors. If they string up the dog, IT IS WRONG!!! Tell them what you want once. Tell them what you want twice, if you care to. Then if they do not comply, tell them goodbye.

Maybe Charlotte McGowan will tell the group how she handles non-compliance with instructions. As Bill Bergum has said so often, "It is your ring."

Joe