The Smooth Fox Terrier's development as a breed is largely undocumented, but the dog has been known as a distinct breed in England since at least the 18th century; the first documented evidence of the Smooth Fox Terrier came in 1790, when a Colonel Thornton painted a portrait of his dog, Pitch.

[citation needed] The Smooth Fox Terrier entered the show ring during the mid-19th century, making it one of the earliest entrants in such events.

Conventional wisdom long held that the Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier are variations of the same breed; in recent years, however, an increasing number of experts have stated the opinion that the two breeds are not related at all.

All modern Smooth Fox Terriers trace back to wires many times, from Eng.

Through Dusky D'Orsay, all modern Smooths trace back to several famous Wires, including Ch.

As the breed was originally bred to go after small animals, they also have a high prey instinct, they are very friendly dogs and do not mind strangers if introduced and exposed to people from a young age.