The Fourche Terrier is a small sized designer breed that is a cross between the West Highland White Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. Being a cheerful and versatile breed with high energy they make good watch and guard dogs.
West Highland White Terrier X Yorkshire Terrier = Fourche Terrier
Appearance
The West Yorkie mix is a tiny dog breed owing to its parent’s lineage. An adult Fourche Terrier is usually 8-9 inches tall and they weigh about 13 pounds. They have dark brown almond-shaped eyes, a black nose and rounded head with large pointed ears hanging down. Their thick coat is of medium to long length. They coat color may vary from grey, fawn, tan, black, brindle, white or a combination of these colors.
Fourche Terrier Pictures
Quick Information
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Fourche Terrier |
| Other Names | Yorkie West, West Highland Yorkie, Westie Yorkie Mix |
| Color | Brown, Black, Fawn., Grey, Brindle, White, Creme, Spotted, Merle. |
| Coat | Medium length. Dense, Wavy, Thick, Harsh and Rough |
| Breed Type | Crossbreed |
| Breed Group | Toy, Terrier |
| Size | Small Sized |
| Hieght | 8-10 inches |
| Weight | 12-14 lbs |
| Life Span/Life Expentancy | 12-15 years |
| Temperament | Cheerful, Friendly, Affectionate, Cute, Independent |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
| Barking Level | Occasional |
| Energy Level | High |
| Good with Children | Yes |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Competitive Registration/Qualification Information | DDKC, DRA, DBR, ACHC, IDCR |
Temperament and Characteristics
They are happy, cheerful and friendly dogs who are quite energetic and alert. They are great family dogs and get well along with people. They make a playful companion to children, but adult supervision is recommended when around young babies or toddlers.
Fourche Terrier dogs are intelligent and inquisitive by nature. They may get suspicious and wary of strangers thus making excellent watchdogs. This trait is inherited from its parent’s both of which are good at watching and guarding.
They tend to be controlling, temperamental or stubborn, so its best to train them from a young age to make them even-tempered and obeying.
Care ~ Exercise
The furry Fourche Terriers are energetic and lively and need a good amount of exercise or playtime to be both mentally and physically stimulated. A daily walk or running session of 60-90 minutes will keep them occupied and away from boredom. They are interested in playing with toys, swimming, chasing balls, playing frisbee, etc to keep them entertained.
Grooming
The Yorkie West may be a high maintenance dog. Their thick coat requires regular brushing while the hair around the ears, eyes, and feet need occasional trimming. To keep tidy their coat shiny, and free from dirt, bathe them when necessary.
These dogs are prone to skin conditions so you should only use a mild shampoo or soap as suggested by your vet. Check and clean their ears once a week to keep them infection free and avoid wax build-up. Other grooming tips are the general ones, including trimming their nails and brushing their teeth regularly to avoid dental infections.
Health Problems
The owners, therefore, should take them from responsible breeders.
Some common health issues may include;
- Cataracts
- Patellar Luxation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Hypoglycemia
- Lung Diseases
Training
The Fourche Terrier can at times act stubborn and commanding, so its best to train your dog from its puppyhood. It is important to teach them to be even-tempered and well-behaved with small kids. Positive reinforcement and socialization from early days make them well-rounded dogs who readily obey commands.
Obedience Training: This breed is quick to pick commands and hence training them to obey commands like “come”, “sit”, “stay” is not a difficult task.
Feeding/Diet
Owing to its high energy and activities, this dog’s diet is more than other dogs in their size category. A full-grown Fourche Terrier needs 1-2 cups of quality dry food every day, divided into two small meals. You should keep a check on your dog’s weight to ensure they don’t overeat and gain weight. Gaining weight can be detrimental to the dog’s health. A well-balanced diet and clean drinking water will be apt for this cute pooch to keep healthy.
Fourche Terrier Puppy Images
Video: Yorkie/Westie Cross Puppies
This tiny little, cute, energetic and sassy dog can be your best companion and steal the show with his antics.