information on west highland white terriers (westies) ?

Posted by on . 6 comments.


how old do they have to be to be taken on a walk?
do they like to swim? in spas?
will they get lonely (male)?
will they run with you if you are jogging?
are they hard to train (sit, stop, come when called, potty trained)?
and any general things i should know. my puppy is 5 and a half weeks old, and i get him on the 20th of november :)



Comments

  1. Chetco says:
    November 8, 2009 at 12:13 am

    They should not be walked away from your home until they have had their third shots, about 12 weeks, depending on when the series was begun.
    A spa has way too much chlorine for a Westie’s skin. They have super sensitive skin.
    Yes, they are very lonely if left alone, but they don’t need a dog friend. They usually prefer to be the only dog in the family.
    They aren’t great for jogging, as their legs are so short..But, they like short but brisk walks.
    They are an easy breed to train, if you know what you are doing.
    Congratulations!! on getting a new puppy.
    Here are some good tips:
    http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/new-puppy.html
    http://www.canismajor.com/dog/tpuppy.html

    Westies are prone to allergies, so require a high quality food. Don’t feed anything with corn in it, and the food should have as little grain as possible.
    Bathe only using a gentle soap. such as Nutrogena or pure castile soap. ( the clear bars)

  2. Jordan says:
    November 8, 2009 at 12:13 am

    http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/westhighland.htm

    THE best info you can find :)

  3. Tammy P says:
    November 8, 2009 at 12:13 am

    I love the look of a west highland white terrier. They are so cute.

  4. petstore sell puppymill pets says:
    November 8, 2009 at 12:13 am

    Why does everyone get a dog, and then research the breed after they purchase the dog? Next time a good idea would be to read and research, then select which dogs aren’t compatable.Remember don’t buy a pup until 8week old. All dogs get lonely.

    My major concerns would be:
    The dynamic terrier temperament. Most terrier breeds are remarkably similar. The same words are used over and over — quick to bark, quick to chase, lively, bossy, feisty, scrappy, clever, independent, stubborn, persistent, impulsive, intense.

    Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. West Highland White Terriers are active go-getters. They MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and to use their busy minds to do interesting things.

    Terriers were never intended to be simply household pets. I strongly recommend that you get your Westie involved in obedience classes at the intermediate or advanced level, in agility (an obstacle course for dogs), or in an earth dog club (terriers dig and tunnel after small critters who are secured in a sturdy cage so they can’t be harmed).

    Animal aggression. West Highland White Terriers are less scrappy toward strange dogs than many other terrier breeds, but they are still a determined force to reckon with if they decide to initiate or accept a challenge to fight. Most terriers have strong instincts to chase and seize small fleeing creatures. This can make for conflict if you own a cat. It may be much worse than that if you own a pet rabbit or hamster!

    Terriers cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off — oblivious to your frantic shouts — after anything that runs.

    Fence security. Many terriers are clever escape artists who will go over or under fences in search of adventure. You may need higher fences than you might imagine for their small size. You may also need to sink wire into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Gates should have the highest quality locks.

    Barking. Terriers are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. If you work all day and have close neighbors, terriers are not the best choice for you. For the same reason, terriers should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. To make matters worse, some terriers have high-pitched barks that can set your teeth on edge.

    Mind of their own. Westies are not Golden Retrievers. Though they are more amenable to training than some other terriers, and indeed can excel in obedience competition, they must still be taught at an early age that they are not the rulers of the world. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything. Terriers can be stubborn and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

    Defensive reactions. If you need to physically chastise a terrier, and you go beyond what THEY believe is a fair correction, terriers (as a group) are more likely than other breeds to growl or snap. It may be because they were bred to become more fierce when their prey fought back, i.e. terriers are apt to "return pain" if they "receive pain." As an obedience instructor, I’m always extra careful when putting my hands on any terrier for a correction.

    I do NOT recommend terriers for small children. Many terriers will not tolerate any nonsense from little life forms whom they consider to be below themselves in importance. Many terriers are quick to react to teasing, and even to the normal clumsiness that comes with small children (accidental squeezing of their ears or pulling of whiskers or stepping on their paw). Many terriers are possessive of their food and toys and will defend these from all comers, including children.

    Grooming. To keep their rough coat free of mats, West Highland White Terriers require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months.

    Serious health problems. Westies are more prone to health problems than most other terriers

    Puppies should not go to puppy classes/the mall/friends’ houses until they have had
    all their vaccinations at 16 weeks/6 months of age.” (Fails all three tests)
    This one lands squarely at the top of the “dangerous myth” category. It’s generally
    perceived as credible by new puppy owners because it’s often offered by the pup’s
    veterinarian. While it appears scientifically sound on its face (unvaccinated puppy at
    risk for contracting deadly diseases!), puppies who aren’t properly socialized are at a
    much greater risk for developing behavior problems, including aggression, that are
    likely to shorten their lives. The vet is right on one hand – the best way to ensure
    that your pup isn’t exposed to dog germs is to avoid other dogs. However, while it’s
    certainly true that you want to prevent your pup’s exposure to unknown and/or possibly
    unhealthy dogs (and their waste), it is critically important that your pup get
    lots of exposure to the rest of the world, including healthy puppies in a controlled
    environment, before the critical socialization period ends at 12-16 weeks – or risk
    serious, sometimes deadly, behavior problems.
    In addition, during the period leading up to 4-6 months, your pup has protection
    from his mother’s immunities, and is receiving “puppy shots” to cover that period
    of time when his mother’s protection starts to decrease. Not only is it “okay” to take
    your pup places while exercising reasonable caution, you have an obligation to provide him with extensive socialization in order to maximize his chances of leading a long and happy life
    http://www.urbananimal.net/pdf/issue17/16_mythbusting.pdf

    Read the reviews, both the positive and negative and pay more attention to people who have actually fed the foods.Not based the reviews on the ingredients
    http://www.rateitall.com/t-353-dog-food-brands.aspx

  5. Johnka says:
    November 8, 2009 at 12:13 am

    Don’t take him out until he has had his full course of injections – see your vet. He could pick up a disease from uninoculated dogs. If you have an enclosed garden that is fine.

    They are not great swimmers. Spa owners would not welcome them.

    They quickly accept their owner as leader and don’t get lonely.

    They are not great runners but will happily trot for a short distance.

    They are easy to train and will be nearly house-trained when you get him, unless you are buying from a commercial kennels when you will need to get him to unlearn the habit of peeing in a corner. put him out first thing in the morning and immediately after feeding. Nespapers at the door are a good start.

    have a look at the British Kennel Club site for general advice and info about Westies.

    http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/

    Enjoy your pup, but remember you are in charge not him!

  6. Verite R says:
    November 8, 2009 at 12:13 am

    If your Westie will be eight weeks old, that is a good time to start to bond. Most terriers have the same tricks, habits, lovable traits and sheer impudence – you might like to get a copy of a book from Amazon called "All about the Border Terrier". This is written around Borders, but your Westie will display many of the same traits, and there are lots of stories that will warn you what to expect, and perhaps give you a laugh.

    Good luck

    Verite R

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