Fox Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Austin, TX

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

Fox Terriers suit Austin's older bungalow neighborhoods, as long as the fence is solid. In Hyde Park, where most homes are single-family, a small terrier can patrol the yard and still make it to the little fenced dog yard at Triangle Commons on West 46th. Fox Terriers are quick, funny and stubborn, so they need a real workout every day and a leash anywhere that isn't fenced. Summer afternoons are better spent indoors with a puzzle toy.

153 Fox Terriers available in Austin and nationwide

Bring home a Fox Terrier

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

Fox Terriers Available for Adoption Near Austin

About the Fox Terrier breed

Fox Terrier is the name most people use for two close relatives, the Smooth and the Wire, which share a build and a personality but differ in coat. British foxhunters developed them to bolt foxes from their dens, and the mostly white coat kept hounds from mistaking them for quarry. Terrier mixes are sometimes listed under the same name, so size and looks can vary.

The traits that matter most in Austin are the ones that go with a working terrier: lots of energy, a strong chase instinct and a love of digging. A Fox Terrier that spots a squirrel along Shoal Creek can ignore every command it knows, so a sturdy leash and a tall, tight fence do more than training alone. 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 Austin

Having a Fox Terrier in Austin

Fox Terriers pack a lot of drive into a small body. How that plays out depends on the dog, but expect a busy, curious companion who needs daily exercise, secure fencing and coat care that differs between Smooth and Wire types.

Temperament

Fox Terriers tend to be confident, playful and affectionate with their people, and many are natural clowns. They also think for themselves and have a strong prey drive, so squirrels, lizards and small pets can set them off. Some are scrappy with other dogs. Early socialization and consistent training help, and each dog's history matters.

Exercise Needs

Most Fox Terriers need vigorous daily activity: brisk walks, fetch and games in a secure space, plus puzzle toys or scent games for their brains. In Austin, schedule the hard exercise for early morning or evening during the long hot season. A bored terrier often digs, barks or chews, and a leash is a must outside fences.

Health Considerations

Fox Terriers are generally hardy, but the breeds can be affected by luxating kneecaps, lens luxation and other eye problems, heart disease and, in some lines, inherited ataxia. Deafness can occur with mostly white coats. In Austin, year-round parasite prevention and regular dental and veterinary checkups are worth planning for.

Living Space

A Fox Terrier's small size works in an Austin apartment or a bungalow, as long as exercise and stimulation are dependable. A fenced yard helps, but many are skilled diggers and jumpers, so check the fence line. Alert barking can be a problem in shared buildings, and these dogs do best living indoors.

What it costs to own a Fox Terrier in Austin

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Adoption fee$25 to $259, one time$25 to $259 in year one
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*$390 to $1,990 per year$390 to $1,990
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,250 to $3,770
First-year total (with adoption fee)$1,275 to $4,029

Adoption fee is the range of fees on Fox Terrier listings in Austin on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* Flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, a dog license, toys and bedding, and grooming that runs from minimal for Smooths to professional clipping or stripping for Wires.

Adopt a Fox Terrier in Austin.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with care. Fox Terriers are small and not flat-faced, but Austin has about 123 days a year at or above 90°F, and nights stay warm. Exercise at dawn or after dark, test pavement with the back of your hand, keep cold water handy and never leave a dog in a car. Rinse the fur after lake swims.

Fenced bark parks with small-dog sections, such as West Austin Neighborhood Park and Riverside Shores, are the safest bet for a chase-driven terrier. Walnut Creek Metro Park offers about 15 miles of trails and a large unfenced off-leash area, so use a leash unless recall is rock solid. Barton Creek Greenbelt requires a leash of 6 feet or shorter.

No. CapMetro doesn't allow pets on its buses, MetroRapid or MetroRail, and that includes small dogs in carriers. Only service animals can ride. For a Fox Terrier, plan outings by car, by bike trailer or on foot, and build in enough walking to burn off its energy.

Yes. Texas law bars cities from setting rules aimed at specific breeds, and no breed ban applies to Fox Terriers in Austin. You'll need rabies vaccination by four months, a microchip registered for dogs four months and older, and a leash outside designated off-leash areas. Dogs also can't be tethered outside unattended.

Yes, if the dog gets enough exercise. About 59% of Austin households rent, so apartments are common, and a Fox Terrier's small size fits. The catch is barking: terriers are alert and vocal, and city code bars frequent or long, continued noise. Daily walks and puzzle toys help keep a terrier quiet.

Sometimes, on patios only. Texas law lets a restaurant allow dogs in outdoor dining areas if a sign says so, and cities can't set stricter rules. The dog must come in directly from outside, stay leashed and stay off seats and tables. Dogs never go indoors, so look for the posted sign.

It depends on the coat. A Smooth needs a weekly brushing and a bath when dirty. A Wire needs regular brushing plus professional clipping or stripping about every 6 to 8 weeks. Austin's heat makes a tidy coat helpful, and grooming is the biggest swing in the $390–$1,990 yearly Other costs.

It can be, for active people. Austin has about 20 off-leash areas, fenced bark parks and mild winters, which suit a lively terrier. The long hot season means shifting exercise to early or late hours, and a strong chase instinct means leashes and secure fences. Dogs vary, so consider the dog's own energy and habits.

We have 1 rescue with Fox Terriers available: Austin Pets Alive!. 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 Austin.

A Fox Terrier in Austin typically costs $20–$45 a month for food, $35–$70 a month for pet insurance and $200–$400 a year for routine vet care. Other yearly costs run $390–$1,990, mostly depending on coat type and grooming. Altogether, expect roughly $1,250 to $3,770 a year.

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