Fourche Terrier (Westie & Yorkie Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts, Traits

The breeding of a Yorkshire Terrier and a West Highland White Terrier results in an adorable small hybrid dog called the Fourche Terrier. These dogs don’t get any taller than about 10 inches, and even the larger ones weigh in at only about 14 pounds.

The wire-like coat of the Fourche Terrier is unmistakable and generally easy to care for. These dogs are born with a variety of different coat colors, including cream, chocolate, grey, merle, and brindle. The Fourche Terrier enjoys the company of their human companions and loves to play with other animals and kids whenever they have the opportunity to do so.

These dogs can also appreciate a life of living indoors, being content while snuggling on the couch or playing with toys in front of the fireplace. They’d love to play in a fenced yard outside, but even apartment living is acceptable if regular walks through the community and sunbathing on the porch are a consistent part of their life. Keep reading to learn more about being the proud owner of a Fourche Terrier.

Fourche Terrier Puppies

You should know all there is to learn about Fourche Terrier dogs before deciding whether to adopt a puppy. The more you know about the breed, the better success you will have as a Fourche Terrier owner. This hybrid beauty isn’t typically found in the rescue centers like mutts are, but it’s worth looking because if you can find one at the Humane Society or a similar facility, you can save yourself quite a bit of money.

No matter where you decide to adopt a Fourche Terrier from, you should be sure to take your new pup to a trusted veterinarian for a checkup and to schedule vaccinations as soon as possible. Doing so will help ensure that your new pooch has the best chance at a happy, healthy life.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Fourche Terrier

1. They’re Hunting Dogs

In general, terriers are bred to hunt vermin and other small animals. The Fourche Terrier may be small, but they are a ferocious hunting dog that will stop at nothing to capture the rat or other vermin that is bothering them within their homestead.

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2. They Love to Snuggle

Even though the Fourche Terrier is a frisky little dog, they tend to appreciate their downtime just as much as their exercise and adventure time. Owners shouldn’t be surprised if their pooch lays around snuggling all day after a long day of adventure.

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3. They Come in a Large Variety of Colors

Fourche Terriers are born with a wide variety of coat colors, including chocolate, gold, cream, and grey. It can be tough to tell what color this breed will actually be until a puppy is a few weeks old, as their coats can darken or lighten after birth.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Fourche Terrier 🧠

The Fourche Terrier is a spunky little dog that doesn’t like rules, even they need those rules to maintain a positive relationship with their family members. Fun-loving and mischievous, this pooch can get in trouble when left unattended for long periods of time. These dogs love playtime with children, and if children aren’t around, they’ll turn to an animal friend for companionship.

This is an easy dog to train, but just because the Fourche Terrier knows their commands, that doesn’t mean they will always obey them. Commands should be practiced regularly to ensure a well-rounded personality and attitude overall. But these dogs can do more than just sit, stay, and heel. They can roll over, play dead, and do a variety of fun tricks that people of all ages would have fun teaching them.

Are Fourche Terriers Good for Families? 🏡

Fourche Terriers are small and outgoing, so they can play with children of all ages without accidentally hurting them as a large breed dog might. These dogs love the unpredictable nature of kids and will spend all day following them around to stay in the action.

Yet, they don’t have to live with kids to be happy. They can thrive in single-person households as long as they aren’t left alone to fend for themselves at home all day, every day. They also make great companions for the elderly and those who are physically challenged because they don’t need much exercise or a big house and yard to live in.

Do Fourche Terriers Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

As mentioned, Fourche Terriers tend to get along well with other animals. They’ll happily meet and greet strange dogs during public outings, and they will gleefully share their home with another pet or two or even three. These dogs can become best friends with cats too!

But just because the Fourche Terrier is naturally animal-friendly doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be socialized when they are young. If your pooch doesn’t have an opportunity to practice their social skills, they may become shy or even aggressive toward other animals as they get older.

Things to Know When Owning a Fourche Terrier

Owning a Fourche Terrier isn’t all fun and games. After all, there is the matter of feeding and grooming them. Training and exercise requirements also need to be considered. The following are all the basics to be aware of.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

These little dogs don’t eat more than about 1-1½ cups of food each day, and the food that they do eat should be made of as high-quality ingredients as possible. Choose food with real meat instead of chicken or beef meal. Avoid foods that contain artificial flavors, colors, and other ingredients.

Consider including healthy human foods into your pup’s diet in the form of snacks to supplement their nutrient intake between meals. Also, look for a food that features small kibble pieces so it’s easy for your pooch to eat.

Exercise 🐕

Even though Fourche Terriers wouldn’t mind lounging around the house all day with a few play sessions in between, they do need to get exercise each day to stay healthy and avoid getting overweight. A short walk around the block or even a game of hide-and-seek inside should do the trick and help keep your pup in good shape. Some Fourche Terriers are peppier than others, so exercise time should be adjusted based on personality and activity levels.

Training 🦮

Every dog needs to be trained, even little ones like the Fourche Terrier. These dogs can get into trouble by tearing things up throughout your house if they don’t have a chance to participate in obedience training. You can enroll your pooch in a community obedience class for socialization and the assurance that training is being done properly. Agility training can benefit Fourche Terriers that display an abundance of energy throughout the day.

Grooming ✂️

Fourche Terriers have thick, wiry coats that tend to shed. Therefore, brushing them thoroughly several times a week is important to keep shedding to a minimum and to maintain a shiny finish. Using a slicker brush will help remove dead, dry hair and minimize the buildup of mats. Ears and teeth should be cleaned a few times a month, and nails should be trimmed regularly to keep them from getting sharp and ruining your wooden floors at home.

Health Conditions ❤️

There are several major health conditions, as well as a few minor issues that the Fourche Terrier is prone to. Understanding these conditions while your pup is still young will help you identify if and when it’s time to see a veterinarian.

Male vs. Female

All Fourche Terriers have their own unique personalities and quirks. Some males may be tougher to potty train than females, but some girls might be harder to train in general than males. Some gals are more dependent on their owners, while some guys like to spend more time with human family members. The temperament of any Fourche Terrier comes down to the way they were bred and their personality more than their gender.

Final Thoughts

The Fourche Terrier is a sweet little dog that can thrive in a variety of different environments. They’re excitable yet laidback. They love active kids but are just as happy spending time with lazy adults. Also, they don’t cost as much to feed as larger dogs do. But Fourche Terriers still need a great deal of love and attention every day, so any potential owner should be sure that they have time to commit to a living being that can be needy at times.

What are your favorite Fourche Terrier traits? Are you partial to any coat or eye colors? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

• See Also: Wee-Chon (Westie & Bichon Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

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Featured Image: Pixabay