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Fox Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Springfield, MA

Your guide to finding and caring for a Fox Terrier in Springfield

Fox Terriers suit Springfield if there's a yard or a good walking route nearby. In Sixteen Acres, with its suburban streets and mostly owner-occupied homes, a securely fenced lot gives this energetic little dog room to run. In a Memorial Square apartment, it'll need a few brisk walks along Main Street every day instead. Either way, keep a leash on it outside fences, because a squirrel can override any training. Long January snow means a sweater and shorter loops for the Smooth type.

162 Fox Terriers available in Springfield and nationwide

Bring home a Fox Terrier

While we don't have enough dogs near Springfield, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Fox Terriers Available for Adoption Near Springfield

About the Fox Terrier breed

Fox Terrier usually means the Smooth or the Wire, two close relatives developed in Britain to bolt foxes from their dens. That job explains the mostly white coat, the fearless streak and the nonstop curiosity. They stand about 13 to 16 inches tall, weigh roughly 15 to 19 pounds, and often live 12 to 15 years.

In Springfield, that history shows up in small ways: the dog that digs along a Pine Point fence line, tracks every chipmunk on a Forest Park walk, or announces every footstep in a shared apartment hallway. They're affectionate and funny, but they need training that stays interesting. The Smooth needs little coat care, while the Wire needs regular clipping or stripping.

Weight
15–19 lbs
Height
13–16 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Temperament
Bold, Lively, Independent
Group
Terrier
Shedding
Low to Moderate

Owning a Fox Terrier in Springfield

Having a Fox Terrier in Springfield

Fox Terriers are bold, quick and busy, with strong prey drive and a mind of their own. In Springfield, that means a fenced yard or reliable daily walks, a leash outside fences, and coat care that depends on whether the dog is a Smooth or a Wire.

Temperament

Confident, playful and often goofy at home, Fox Terriers bond closely with their families. They're also independent, and prey drive means squirrels, rabbits and small pets may be chased. Some are scrappy with other dogs. On busy Springfield sidewalks, early socialization and steady training help, though each dog's history and personality vary.

Exercise Needs

Plan on vigorous daily activity: brisk walks, fetch and puzzle games. Forest Park's wooded trails and the Connecticut River Walk give leashed dogs room to cover ground, and a fenced yard allows safe play, since off-leash time needs a fence or a designated dog park. Bored Fox Terriers dig, bark and chew, so add scent games or training.

Health Considerations

Fox Terriers are generally hardy, but eye problems such as primary lens luxation, luxating kneecaps, heart disease and inherited ataxia can occur, and white coats may carry a risk of deafness. Regular veterinary and dental checkups help catch problems early, and a veterinarian can advise on screening.

Living Space

At 15 to 19 pounds, a Fox Terrier fits a Springfield apartment or a house, provided exercise is reliable. In shared buildings in places like Metro Center or Six Corners, alert barking may bother neighbors. In yard-heavy areas such as East Forest Park, check fences carefully, since many are skilled diggers and jumpers.

What it costs to own a Fox Terrier in Springfield

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$20 to $45 per month$240 to $540
Pet insurance$35 to $70 per month$420 to $840
Routine vet care$200 to $400 per year$200 to $400
Other*$380 to $1,975 per year$380 to $1,975
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,240 to $3,755

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* The Springfield dog license ($5 spayed or neutered, $25 intact), flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, and grooming that ranges from minimal for Smooths to professional clipping or stripping for Wires.

Adopt a Fox Terrier in Springfield.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Fox Terriers available.

Rescues in Springfield with Fox Terriers Available

Springfield's city shelter and the nonprofit rescues listed here help dogs of all sizes and mixes find homes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Springfield area where you can find Fox Terriers and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can own a Fox Terrier in Springfield, because Massachusetts bars cities from regulating dogs by breed. You'll need a city license for dogs six months or older ($5 spayed or neutered, $25 otherwise), a current rabies vaccination and a leash no longer than six feet in public. A household can keep up to four sterilized dogs, or three if any aren't.

Yes, a Fox Terrier can live in a Springfield apartment if its exercise is dependable. At 15 to 19 pounds it fits easily, but expect several brisk walks a day plus puzzle toys and scent games. Alert barking can annoy neighbors in shared buildings, so teach quiet habits early and avoid long stretches alone.

Yes, most Fox Terriers handle Springfield winters with a little help. Freezing nights and heavy snow mean Smooths in particular benefit from a coat and shorter walks. Wipe salt and ice melt from paws, dry the dog after snowy outings, and keep time outside brief. Wires have a denser coat but still need a warm indoor bed.

Forest Park is the top pick, with 735 acres of wooded trails for leashed walks. The Connecticut River Walk offers easy mileage along the riverfront, and Blunt Park and Hubbard Park add more green space. Keep your Fox Terrier on a leash of six feet or less, since prey drive and local coyotes make off-leash roaming risky.

A Fox Terrier fits Springfield well if you can give it daily exercise and keep it leashed outside fences. It adapts to a Sixteen Acres house or a downtown apartment, and the city's wooded trails and riverfront walks supply plenty of outings. It's a harder match for people who are away all day or want a laid-back couch dog.

Fox Terriers can ride PVTA buses only in a secured, fully enclosed carrier, unless the dog is a service animal. A 15- to 19-pound Fox Terrier is a tight squeeze in most carriers. Amtrak at Union Station caps pet plus carrier at 20 pounds, which many Fox Terriers will exceed, so plan on walking or driving.

Don't count on it. Massachusetts food rules generally limit animals in food establishments to service animals, so patio access depends on the restaurant and local health rules. If a patio does welcome dogs, keep your Fox Terrier leashed and settled under the table, since prey drive and scrappiness with other dogs can cause trouble.

A Smooth needs a weekly brush and an occasional bath, while a Wire needs regular brushing plus professional clipping or hand-stripping about every 6 to 8 weeks. Grooming is the biggest swing in the yearly Other costs, roughly $380 to $1,975. In winter, keep the coat dry and wipe off road salt after walks.

We have 1 rescue with Fox Terriers available: Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. You can see every rescue with Fox Terriers available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Fox Terriers near Springfield.

Expect about $20 to $45 a month for food and $35 to $70 for insurance, plus $200 to $400 a year for routine vet care. Other costs run roughly $380 to $1,975 a year, depending mostly on whether the coat is a Smooth or a Wire. That works out to about $1,240 to $3,755 a year overall.

Find Fox Terriers in Nearby Cities

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Looking for a different breed? Browse other dogs available for adoption in Springfield.