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Smooth Poxer (Smooth Fox Terrier & Pug Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

half pug half fox terrier staring into space_Ryan Garrett_shutterstock

Height: 10–12 inches
Weight: 15–18 pounds
Lifespan: 12–14 years
Colors: Black, cream, gray, fawn
Suitable for: Families with kids, first-time owners, apartments
Temperament: Sweet, patient, lively

The Smooth Poxer is a rare hybrid dog, a cross between the Smooth Fox Terrier and a Pug. The combination often results in a dog with a stocky body and curled tail, similar to the Pug. Their coloration is varied, and their coat texture depends on which parent they favor.

The Smooth Poxer might inherit the Pug’s brachycephalic snout, making it more difficult for them to exercise and eat properly. They are incredibly loving dogs, with a happy-go-lucky attitude and plenty of antics. They are excellent dogs for a first-time owner but challenging to find.

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Smooth Poxer Puppies

half pug half fox terrier puppy
Image credit: Ryan Garrett, Shutterstock
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Since there are not many breeders of the Smooth Poxer, their price can vary substantially. There is not much competition or a standard fee that has been widely set for these Smooth Fox Terrier and Pug mix pups. You can generally figure out an estimate for a hybrid’s price by comparing the parent breeds’ price and lowering it by around one third.

When you look for a breeder of the Smooth Poxer, do not settle on just anyone. It can be tempting because there are not very many breeders around for them. However, you still want to support a breeder who treats their dogs appropriately. To figure out if a breeder is trustworthy and kind to their pups, ask to get a tour around their breeding facility. They should be willing to show you any areas they keep their dogs in and breed them.

When you get ready to pick out and adopt a puppy, verify the parents by checking their papers and veterinary records. If the parents have any health issues, the puppy could be more susceptible to them. Being aware of them helps you to watch out for them and alert your vet to their potential.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Smooth Poxer

1. The Smooth Poxer has Chinese roots from the Pug.

One of the Smooth Poxer’s parents, the Pug, originated in China. They are considered an ancient dog breed, with their lineage dating to around 400 B.C. Their lovable, playful personality is no accident, but the result of being bred to be a companion dog to China’s wealthy citizens.

Among those wealthy enough to own a dog as a pet were the Imperial family. The Pug was a favorite of the ancient Chinese emperors and their families for many years. The theory is that they had descended from the Tibetan Mastiff and were originally much larger. The pup lived a lavish life and was incredibly spoiled.

The breed’s lineage was well-maintained and spread throughout Asia and into Europe. Here, they quickly took up the same gauntlet of being favored mainly by royalty and nobility. The Pug is thought to have been preferred by Marie Antoinette and Queen Victoria, who had a large hand in breeding them to be the small size we have today.


2. Smooth Fox Terriers are best known for their circus antics, giving the Smooth Poxer a comical side.

Smooth Fox Terriers have an easily identifiable appearance. These dogs have long faces and small bodies similar to the Jack Russell Terrier. They are dogs with many uses and history. Part of this is due to their high level of intelligence.

Smooth Fox Terriers were also companions to noblemen and royalty. They were used as a hunting dog for foxes and other burrowing animals. They became a prized possession for avid hunters because they did so well at “going to the ground.” This involved diving into a hole and flushing out the animal inside for the hunter to collect.

Hunting wasn’t the only ability of these pups. They were commonly used as circus dogs. They love to be the center of attention. You can still find drawings from the Victorian era with them jumping through hoops and standing on balls. This experience and genetic revision meant that they were a shoo-in for the show ring in the 19th century and made a splash with their show potential.


3. Smooth Poxers have rugged hunting instincts.

The combination of the spoiled Pug and the lively Smooth Fox Terrier makes the Smooth Poxer a dog with a wide comical streak and a hunting instinct. If they inherit the brachycephalic snout from the Pug, they might not be able to exercise excessively. However, their desire for the hunt can be an excellent motivator to get them running around outside.

The parent breeds of Smooth Poxer
The parent breeds of Smooth Poxer: Left – Pug (Erin Minuskin, Unsplash) | Right – Smooth Fox Terrier (No-longer-here, Pixabay)

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Smooth Poxer 🧠

The Smooth Poxer can have a slightly varied temperament. However, both of their parents have similar traits that tend to be strong in a Smooth Poxer. Both of them are lively and happy dogs. They are sensitive to the emotions of their humans and typically form powerful bonds with their families.

The Smooth Fox Terrier and Pug mix dogs can be extremely friendly. They quickly try to make friends with everyone and everything. Early socialization is a good way to guarantee their appropriate behavior around other animals and humans. Usually, though, it is best to teach them boundaries.

These pups are intelligent, and their sensitivity typically makes them easier to train because they want to please you. Smooth Poxers have a high capacity to adapt and adjust to almost any family situation and living conditions, including apartments.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

These dogs are wonderful family companions. They love to be around people more often than not. If they are left alone for too long and too frequently, they might suffer from separation anxiety.

The Smooth Poxer does exceptionally well with kids. They have a great deal of patience with them, and their attitude and energy for life tend to be similar. If they grow up with children, they serve well as their protectors.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Smooth Poxer can get along well with almost anything. Be careful and slow with introductions if you adopt them as an older dog. Otherwise, socialize them as early as possible. Doing so increases the likelihood of their appropriate behavior around other animals.

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Smooth Poxer

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Smooth Poxer is considered a small to medium-sized dog. They only need a moderate amount of activity each day, so their metabolism typically isn’t extremely high. They tend to only need between 1–2 cups of dog food a day.

Due to the genetics of the Pug, they can struggle with obesity. Make sure that the food you feed them doesn’t have many fillers. Even if all your dog seems to want to do is cuddle, they need to exercise each day.

Exercise 🐕

Smooth Poxers are lively little dogs at times, while they are relatively calm and sweet when indoors with their family. They only need a moderate amount of activity each day. If they inherit the Pug’s brachycephalic snout, you need to monitor their health during strenuous activities carefully. It can impact their ability to breathe correctly, even if their attitude seems keen.

Going to the dog park is an excellent way to motivate your pup to get moving. If you prefer to take them for walks, try to hit at least 6 miles each week. They should receive about 45 minutes of activity throughout each day.

Training 🦮

Smooth Poxers have a high desire to please the people they love. This generally makes them an easier dog to train. Use plenty of positive reinforcement so they know exactly what to do to make you happy.

Training with treats can help motivate dogs that are driven by food. However, these little pups can gain weight quickly. Try to avoid food with excessive sugar and calories. Ensure that the treats do not exceed 10% of their daily diet or even less.

Grooming ✂️

Although their personalities are not considerably different, the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Pug have extremely different appearances. The blend created in the Smooth Poxer can manifest in all kinds of ways, including the way that they need to be groomed.

If they favor the Pug parent, they can have wrinkly faces and skin with floppy ears. You need to clean around the wrinkles and between the folds of skin to keep their skin healthy. Use a gentle, damp cloth and wipe them off carefully. It is best to do this daily. Do not forget to dry any excess water to prevent their skin from drying out.

Their coat is typically straight, short fur that lies close to their body. To minimize shedding, brush them at least once a week. During the spring and fall, they shed more. You might prefer to brush them daily to keep the amount of shedding minimal. Beyond that, brush their teeth daily to prevent tartar build and poor breath. If they inherit the Pug’s snout, they are at an increased risk of dental issues. Trim their nails at least once a month as well.

Health and Conditions ❤️

If the Smooth Poxer inherits more of the traits from the Smooth Fox Terrier parent, then they will have fewer health problems. Take them to their veterinary appointments consistently to catch any issues earlier.

Minor Conditions
  • Corneal ulcer
  • Allergies
  • Dry eye
Serious Conditions
  • Demodectic mange
  • Brachycephalic syndrome
  • Eye problems
  • Pug dog encephalitis
  • Epilepsy

Divider 5Male vs. Female

There are no recognizable differences between males and females in this breed.

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Final Thoughts

Smooth Poxers make excellent dogs for families, especially if there are kids around. They have a great deal of patience and bunches of love to give to anyone who needs it. They are not high-maintenance dogs because they only need a moderate amount of grooming and exercise.

These dogs can be a challenge to find. However, if you take the time to look for a high-quality breeder, then they are worth it.

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Featured Image Credit: Ryan Garrett, Shutterstock

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