Fox Terrier Prices Australia

The Fox Terrier is a small but mighty dog, full of energy and with a mischievous streak that makes them endlessly entertaining. It’s no wonder they’re such popular family pets, and no matter whether you prefer the smooth-coated or wired-coated variety, these little dynamos are guaranteed to bring a lot of personality into your life. But before you commit to offering Fox Terrier a forever home, it’s important to think about the full costs of owning one. That’s what we’re here to help you with, and from the initial purchase price to their ongoing care needs, we’ve covered the average price of everything you need to budget for with Fox Terrier ownership.

How Much Does a Fox Terrier Cost in Australia?

First up, is the cost of buying a Fox Terrier puppy, and this will vary depending on whether you choose to go through a registered breeder or adopt through a rescue shelter. You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $3,500 for a well-bred Fox Terrier from a registered breeder while adopting will cost you an average of $300 – $600 in fees.

You might even find Fox Terriers puppies for sale cheaper than this but consider these red flags. In most cases, these are puppies being sold by unregistered breeders, who may prioritise profit over the health and wellbeing of their dogs, which can lead to long-term health and behavioural issues. So, to ensure you’re bringing home a happy, healthy pup, only ever buy from a registered breeder or adopt through a rescue shelter.

Average Price of a Fox Terrier When Buying Through a Registered Fox Terrier Breeder in Australia

Buying a Fox Terrier from a registered breeder will set you back between $2,000 and $3,500. The final price will be based on a few different factors, which we’ll touch on below, but as an example, a Fox Terrier puppy from a champion lineage with full health checks will sit at the higher end of the price range compared to a pet-quality dog.

Average Price of a Fox Terrier When Buying Through an Adoption Shelter in Australia

Your other option is adoption, which comes with a much lower price tag of $300 – $600. This price also covers some of the dog’s essential veterinary care, such as vaccinations and desexing, potentially saving you a bit more money in your first year of ownership. However, adopting a Fox Terrier isn’t as plain sailing as buying one, and availability can be unpredictable, which means you’ll need both patience and persistence in the quest to find one. It’s worth the effort, though, as not only will you be saving on your initial purchase price, but you’ll be giving a dog in need a second chance.

Factors Influencing the Cost of a Fox Terrier

Whether you feel buying through a registered breeder or adopting is the right choice for you, there are several things that will determine how much a Fox Terrier puppy is priced. These include:

Breeder Reputation

Registered breeders who invest in genetic testing and the best quality care for their puppies in their early weeks of life will charge more, as this comes at a cost to the breeder. Likewise, if they have put a lot of research into finding parent dogs without any genetic disorders and who will produce strong, healthy puppies, the price will be higher, often at the higher end of the $2,000 – $3,500 price scale. Now, while this means a higher initial upfront cost, it also means you’re getting a healthy and well-adjusted puppy, which is worth every cent.

Lineage

If the puppy has a lineage of champion, show-winning dogs, the price will be higher, as well-bred Fox Terriers that meet the breed standards outlined by Dogs Australia will often have better genetics, meaning a reduced risk of hereditary health conditions. Similarly, you’ve got an increased chance of these puppies doing well themselves in competitions, which is something that can be invaluable if you’re interested in entering dog shows. On the other hand, Fox Terriers that don’t descend from champion bloodlines are usually priced lower.

Coat Type

Fox Terriers come in two distinct coat types – Smooth and Wire. Both are equally lovable, but Wire Fox Terriers tend to cost more because they require more specialised breeding to produce their textured coats. Conversely, because Smooth Fox Terriers are more common and easier to breed, you can expect to pay less.

Costs of Essentials for Your Fox Terrier

That’s the first part of your budget covered. But before your Fox Terrier comes home, you’ll need to set them up with some essentials so they can settle in comfortably. Here’s what you should budget for:

• Dog crate: $120 – $200 for a crate that can be used for both training and as a comfortable space for your Fox Terrier to call their own.

• Dog bed: $80 – $150 for a comfortable bed with an added memory foam layer that offers joint support while they sleep.

• Dog collar/lead: $35 – $70 for a strong, adjustable collar and a matching lead that can handle sudden pulling while giving you the best possible control.

• Feeding bowl: $20 – $40 for a non-slip, slow-feeder bowl that will prevent bloating and indigestion, ideally made from stainless steel or ceramic for better hygiene.

• Dog toothbrush: $20 – $40 for a toothbrush and toothpaste set that will stop plaque building and keep your Fox Terrier’s teeth healthy.

• Dog car harness: $50 – $90 for a road-legal and crash-tested harness to keep your dog secure while they’re in the car with you.

• Puppy treats: $20 – $40 per month for all-natural treats you can use for training and positive reinforcement and some tough chews for encouraging downtime.

• Puppy training pads: $20 – $50 for disposable or reusable pads that help prevent accidents and teach your puppy where to go to the toilet.

• Dog shampoo & conditioner: $30 – $50 for a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo that keeps the coat clean without stripping away natural oils.

• Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $40 – $80 for a full grooming kit for at-home brushing, de-shedding, and nail clipping.

Fox Terrier Maintenace Costs

The next thing to think about is how much you’re going to have to spend each year keeping your Fox Terrier happy and healthy. Here’s how to budget for this.

How Much Does it Cost to Feed a Fox Terrier?

Fox Terriers might be small, but they are very active, and a healthy adult weighing between 7kg and 9kg needs about 150g – 200g of food every day. This means that, across the course of a month, you could spend between $30 and $300 on dog food when following these diets:

• Cost per day on a dry kibble diet: $2 – $4 for a small-breed kibble with a high-protein content that supports muscle growth and maintains good dental health.

• Cost per day on a wet food diet: $3 – $7 for a good-quality wet food with a meaty texture, added vegetables, and no artificial ingredients or chemical preservatives.

• Cost per day on a raw diet: $5 – $10 for a carefully designed mix of raw meats, organs, bones, and vegetables.

You do need to remember that these costs are just estimates, and the amount you’ll spend will depend on your dog’s age, size, sex, and overall health, as well as the diet type and brand you choose. We always recommend speaking to your vet for the best advice on diet an portion size.

How Much Will Veterinary Care Typically Cost for a Fox Terrier?

The next ongoing expense you’ll need to cover is veterinary care. That’s right – you don’t only take your dog to the vet when they get sick! You need to pay for preventative care to keep them as healthy as possible, and this comes at the following average costs:

Cost of Routine Preventative Care:

• Annual vet checkups: $90 – $150 for a full health assessment, including detecting early signs of illness and making sure your Fox Terrier is at their ideal weight.

• Vaccinations: $120 – $200 per year for both core and optional vaccines, which help protect against things like distemper, kennel cough, and parvovirus.

• Worming and parasite treatment: $15 – $50 per month to stop your Fox Terrier from picking up fleas, ticks, and worms.

• Dental cleaning: $300 – $600 every few years for a professional cleaning under anaesthetic.

• Pet insurance: $40 – $90 per month (depending on coverage level and any pre-existing conditions) to help cover unexpected medical bills.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Fox Terrier’s Grooming?

Fox Terriers have different grooming needs depending on whether they have a smooth or wire coat. But while Smooth Terriers don’t need as much grooming as Wire Fox Terriers, both need professional grooming to keep their coats healthy. Here’s what you might pay for different services:

• Hydrobath prices: $40 – $70 for a deep-cleaning bath that removes oils, dirt, and allergens from the coat while protecting the skin.

• Full groom prices: $80 – $150 for a bath, blow-dry, and hand-strip (only for Wire Fox Terriers), followed by ear cleaning and nail clipping.

• Face, feet, and tail groom prices: $30 – $50 for in-between maintenance that keeps these problem areas clean and tidy.

Fox Terrier Training Costs

Finally, you’ll need to think about training costs. Fox Terriers are smart and energetic, and without proper training, this can manifest as bad behaviour, so making sure they’re well-behaved should be a top priority. Here’s what you might spend on various types of training:

• Basic obedience training: $180 – $300 for a multi-week class that covers essential commands, recall, and polite lead walking.

• Puppy training class prices: $150 – $250 for a multi-week class that is focused on early socialisation, good manners, and confidence building.

• Specialised training prices: $100 – $200 per session for one-on-one training that will iron out any issues with specific bad behaviours, like prey drive management and excessive barking.

Understanding the Full Costs of Owning a Fox Terrier

Owning a Fox Terrier means providing them with proper care and engagement, and as you can see from what we’ve explored above, all of this comes at a cost. And when you keep in mind that Fox Terriers have an average lifespan of 13 – 15 years, you’ll be footing the bill for quite a long time! However, if you feel confident that you’ve got what it takes, you’ll be welcoming an irreplaceable new family member into your home.