One of the parent breeds to the Fourche Terrier, Westies, was originally bred during the 1800s in Scotland. They were excellent companion dogs, and assisted their owners in hunting foxes and various vermin. They currently stand on number 41 in the list of North America's most popular dogs.
On the other hand, Yorkshire Terriers were bred in England during the 1800s. Yorkies, too, were used as companion dogs and provided excellent assistance in hunting vermin.
Their beauty is no joke, which is why they are so popular. Due to the eye-catching aesthetics, they have now transitioned from hunting companions to show dogs. The dogs were first introduced in the United States during the late 1800s. In no time, the breed became America's favourite. Currently it stands 9th on the list of most popular dogs in North America.
Without playtime and constant exercise, Fourche Terriers can become disorderly. Unlike humans, who constantly search for reasons to slouch, these Fourche Terriers can develop severe anxiety issues if they don't get enough playtime. On average, a fourche terrier requires at least 60 minutes of playtime every day.
Luckily, you can give them enough exercise both indoors and outdoors. They can easily adjust themselves to any situation. Nowadays, an extensive array of indoor intelligent toys are available. The dogs can play and chase around these toys inside the house.
Your kids will love having a hyperactive playmate by their side. These dogs easily befriend other animals. To bring the best out of these hyperactive pooches, owners can incorporate some daily agility training that will help in expelling the extra energy.
Being a smaller breed, the fourche terrier is prone to health conditions. Seborrhea, cataracts, atopic dermatitis, deafness, etc. are few of the many commonly occurring conditions. Though these are not life threatening in any way, there are still a number of health conditions that can unfold that way.
Here are a few severe health conditions to watch out for:-
Tracheal collapse is an irreversible and progressive issue. It ends up damaging the lower airways, which poses difficulty in breathing.
Since their neck is incredibly sensitive and prone to injuries, owners must provide extensive care.
Patellar Luxation is a critical condition with symptoms that start to occur between the age of four to six months. You'll notice that your dog's knees will start protruding sideways. This shift of bones from the original position is what makes this disease life threatening.
This disease mainly affects the bones in the head. It results in an enlarged jawbone also known as 'lion jaw'. Due to this disease, the growth of essential bones present inside the skull becomes stagnant.
This is a health condition that develops during the time of birth. The portosystemic shunt regulates proteins, toxins, nutrients, etc. directly to the systemic circulation. As a result, the toxins circulate inside the dog's body, causing the liver to collapse.
A nail clipper, slicker brush, and a pin brush are all you need in your grooming kit. Consulting a professional groomer is also a viable alternative. They possess all sorts of products that will help in unveiling your dog's true beauty and shine.
These dogs also require regular brushing. Owners are required to brush their coats with slicker brushes at least four times a week.
Consult your veterinarian before purchasing shampoos or any sort of product. These dogs are prone to skin infection. A wrong shampoo can cause severe rashes or itchiness on the skin of the dog.
Make sure to get their ears checked frequently to avoid potential infection. Since they are prone to tooth decay, maintain proper dental hygiene.
Overall, a fourche terrier would give everything you wished for and more. These dogs are incredible with families and make up to be great companions.
