Dr. Sergey Uhanov
Last updated: 25th February 2026
Fourche Terrier
By
Dr. Sergey Uhanov
Last updated: 25th February 2026
A cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and West Highland White Terrier, the Fourche Terrier is a small dog with big personality. It has bright, almond-shaped eyes, pointed ears, short and closely fitted jaw, black nose, and a furry face giving it a rounded appearance. Being a versatile breed, it is well suited for participating in dog agility, guarding, and watching.
Fourche Terrier Pictures
Quick Information
| Other names | Yorkie West, West Highland Yorkie, Westie Yorkie Mix |
| Coat | Dense, thick, harsh, rough |
| Color | Black, dark brown/chocolate, golden/light brown, white/cream, gray, brindle/merle/spotted |
| Breed Type | Crossbreed |
| Group of Breed | Terrier, Toy |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Weight | 12-15 lb |
| Size/Height | Small; about 9 in |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| Temperament | Affectionate, cheerful, independent, loyal, alert |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
| Good with Children | Yes |
| Barking | Occasional |
| Country Originated in | USA |
| Competitive Registration/ Qualification Information | DDKC, DRA, DBR, ACHC, IDCR |
Video: Yorkie Westie Mix Puppies Playing
Other Similar Breeds
Temperament and Behavior
The Fourche Terrier is a companion, as it bonds well with its human family, enriching them with its silly antics. Although friendly towards children, it will not accept rough handling including pulling on its tails and ears. Therefore, it should have adult supervision when around younger children.
True to its terrier heritage, the Westie Yorkie mix is suspicious of strangers which along with its self-confidence make it an excellent watchdog. It may also retain the natural inquisitiveness of its parent breeds.
Care
Exercise
The Fourche Terriers, being a lively breed, need a fair bit of regular physical activities. They enjoy going for walks or playing in the yard with their owners. Since they are interested in toys, a game of chasing balls or Frisbees will keep them entertained.
Grooming
Their coat requires regular brushing while the hair around the ears, eyes, and feet need occasional trimming. You can pluck hairs from their head to create a round shape as seen in show dogs. To keep their coat shiny, bathe them when necessary. Also, check their ears every week for signs of infection.
Health Problems
Like all crossbreeds, the Fourche Terrier may get any of the disease that commonly occurs in its parent breeds. The owners, therefore, should be aware of patellar luxation, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, Legg-calve-Perthes disease, hypoglycemia, and lung diseases.
Training
Since these feisty little dogs are sometimes stubborn, their training should be kept fun and positive.
- Obedience training: Teach your Fourche Terrier the “Quiet” command if it has the tendency to bark unnecessarily when someone is at the door. Evoke your pet’s bark response by knocking on the wall or ringing the doorbell. After your Yorkie West barks several times, take a pause and instruct it to be “Quiet.” The command should be followed with some treats. Make sure that you repeat the procedure several times.
- Crate training: These dogs have a natural instinct to form dens by digging out holes, and so training them to use crates is crucial. Leave a comfy blanket and some treats in the crate, which will make it an appealing resting place for your pet. Use a command, such as “Sleep” or “Crate” to correspond with going to the enclosure.
Feeding
An adult Fourche Terrier needs 1/2-1 cup of quality dry food per day, divided into two small meals.
FAQ’s
I had a forche terrier I lost last year. Would like another one. I,m willing to come to see them or pick up. I live in Missouri.