Dog
Pronunciation:
foor-shey ter-ee-er
Breed Description:
The Fourche Terrier breed of dog is a "designer" or mixed breed that was created by crossing the West of Highland White Terrier with the Yorkshire Terrier. Because of this, a breed type has not been established and the looks and temperament of the dog can greatly change from one puppy to the next. Generally, the Fourche Terrier will have qualities of both parents. They are a small sized breed of dog that has a slightly elongated body. They are usually compact and robust without a delicate look to them. The breed usually has small ears that fold forward and a small muzzle in a slightly flat skull. The top line is usually straight and level and the tail is usually long and carried low.
The coat of the Fourche Terrier can vary depending on the parent that the puppy takes after, but usually it has a double coat with a soft, short undercoat and a medium length topcoat. The topcoat is usually wiry in texture and gives the puppy an unkempt appearance. The Fourche Terrier can be found in any coat color that is common for the parent breeds but white is a common color as well as a black colored coat.
Temperament:
The Fourche Terrier breed of dog is a designer breed and because of this, their temperament can vary greatly. However, they are known for being a playful little dog that is intelligent and feisty. They often have a mischevious little sparkle in their eye and are always looking to get into something. The breed is very affectionate and thrives when they can be with their owner. They are better suited to homes with older children and are not recommended for homes with young children since they can be snappy. The Fourche Terrier does well with other dogs but they may have a high prey drive, which makes them unsuitable for homes with small, non-canine pets.
Height:
The average height for a Fourche Terrier is between 11 to 15 inches.
Weight:
The average weight for a Fourche Terrier is between 15 to 26 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Fourche Terrier breed of dog has no known health problems, however, it is important to read up on the Yorkshire Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier to be aware of the health problems your puppy may be at risk for.
Living Conditions:
The Fourche Terrier breed of dog is versatile when it comes to living conditions and they can live in both apartments and homes with yards. They should not live outdoors and do best when they are inside with their family as a companion dog.
Exercise:
The Fourche Terrier breed of dog is an active breed that requires between 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. Generally, two good walks will meet their needs but it is also important to give them an opportunity for off leash exercise as well.
Life Expectancy:
14 to 16 years
Grooming:
The Fourche Terrier breed of dog can be very easy to groom. Usually, the breed only needs to be brushed once or twice a week and they usually have a unkempt appearance. Ears should be cleaned weekly and nails should be trimmed once or twice a month. If the dog has the wiry coat of the West Highland White Terrier, then it is important to strip the dead hair from the coat every few months.
Origin:
The Fourche Terrier breed of dog is a designer `hybrid`breed that has become popular over the last decade or so. There is no actual origin for the breed and if you are interested in learning more about the Fourche Terrier, it is important to read up on the Yorkshire Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
