Dog Breeds 101: Chilean Terrier

Photo – Wikipedia(PD)

The medium-sized Chilean Fox Terrier is popular for its notable contrast of colors on its short coat which is all white (or mostly white) on the body and black or tan on the head. Most dogs of this breed is born without a tail but will develop a short one as they age. [1]

The Chilean Fox Terrier is obedient making it very easy to train. Males of this breed has an average height of 12 to 14 inches while females are between 11 to 13 inches. The ideal weight for both genders is in the range of 11 to 17 pounds. This athletic and physically capable dog always appears as such. Today, the Chilean Fox is common in its home country – Chile. It is well adapted to the varying climates of its homeland and is still being used to hunt mice. [2]

The breed was developed in Chile by crossing the British Fox Terrier with local Chilean dogs. They dogs were already in existence in 1870 but was only standardized in the late 1990s for official recognition. The terriers were popular in the countryside where the majority of Chile’s population once lived. However, this changed during the 20th and 21st centuries when Chile became one of the most urbanized countries in Latin America. People started to migrate towards the cities and most of them brought their Chilean Fox Terriers with them. Today, the majority of the breed’s population is found in Chilean cities. Breeders back then focused on the working ability of the dogs rather than appearance. The result was a breed that varied in appearance but were excellent ratters and were generally affectionate and loyal. These are active dogs and requires a substantial amount of exercise – a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes a day is recommended. Without releasing their stored energy, they may develop behavioral problems such as excessive barking and aggression. The breed has an average life span of 12 to 15 years. [3]