The Fox Terrier is a small, wiry, energetic working terrier bred in England to bolt foxes from their dens, and that history shows in everything the breed does. The Smooth Fox Terrier, the Wire Fox Terrier and the smaller Australian-bred Miniature Fox Terrier (the mini foxie) are all bold, clever and endlessly busy, packed with drive and curiosity in a compact frame that usually weighs only around four to eight kilos. They are affectionate and lively with their people and make alert little watchdogs.
Fox Terriers reach Sydney and NSW rescue when their energy and terrier instincts are underestimated. A bored Fox Terrier will bark, dig, chase and become a determined escape artist, so many end up surrendered by homes that expected a quiet lap dog. Purebred Fox Terriers appear alongside plenty of Fox Terrier crosses, and given the strong terrier prey drive, the foster carer or shelter assessment of the individual dog with people, children, cats and other small animals matters more than the breed label.
A Fox Terrier suits an active owner or family who enjoy an interactive, on-the-go little dog, can provide secure fencing and can channel the energy into walks, play and training. In the right home it is a spirited, funny and deeply loyal companion. Browse the Fox Terriers and Fox Terrier crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
Showing 5 dogs
Joey
About 13 years old • Chihuahua X Miniature Fox Terrier
Monika's Doggie Rescue
Milo
About 2 years old • Jack Russell Terrier X Miniature Fox Terrier
Monika's Doggie Rescue
Perry
About 12 years old • Miniature Fox Terrier X
Monika's Doggie Rescue
Twinkle
About 10 years old • Chihuahua X Miniature Fox Terrier
Monika's Doggie Rescue
Walter
About 12 years old • Fox Terrier X Kelpie
Monika's Doggie Rescue
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We will email you when a Fox Terrier or Fox Terrier cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome a Fox Terrier?
If you can no longer keep your Fox Terrier, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Fox Terrier Adoption FAQ
Where can I adopt a Fox Terrier near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Fox Terriers available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Fox Terriers above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Fox Terrier rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Fox Terriers and Fox Terrier crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Fox Terriers available near you.
Are these Fox Terriers for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Fox Terrier here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "fox terrier for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Fox Terrier in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Fox Terrier costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Fox Terrier is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What health problems do Fox Terriers have?
Fox Terriers are generally hardy, long-lived little dogs with fewer inherited problems than many popular breeds. Some can be affected by congenital deafness, so a rescue may note a dog that is deaf or partially deaf, and the breed can also be prone to patellar luxation (a slipping kneecap) and to certain eye and lens conditions. A rescue Fox Terrier arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, and any known issue, including deafness, is noted on the listing. Ask your vet about routine preventative care.
Are Fox Terriers good family dogs?
They can be great family dogs for an active household, and they are sturdy, playful and affectionate with children they are raised alongside. They are best suited to families with older children rather than toddlers, partly because of their busy energy and terrier nature. As with any small dog, supervise interactions with young children and teach them to give the dog space. Each rescue notes how the individual dog has gone with children, cats and other animals in foster or shelter care.
How much exercise does a Fox Terrier need?
More than most people expect from such a small dog. Fox Terriers are working terriers with real stamina, so plan on around an hour a day of walks and active play, plus digging, sniffing and training to satisfy the busy mind. Secure fencing is essential because they dig and are determined escapers, and their prey drive means reliable recall off-lead is hard to guarantee. In a Sydney summer, exercise in the cool of the early morning or evening, carry water, and keep year-round paralysis tick prevention up if you walk in bushland or coastal areas.
Do Fox Terriers get along with cats and small pets?
It depends heavily on the individual dog. The Fox Terrier was developed to hunt, so many have a strong prey drive around cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals, though some live happily with a cat they have been raised with or carefully introduced to. This is exactly the kind of thing a rescue assesses in foster care, so check the cat and small-animal note on each listing rather than relying on breed generalisations, and always do a slow, supervised introduction.