Any Westie owners on here...?
Discussion
Good evening chaps and chapesses,
I have really got to the stage now of wanting (needing?) to get another dog and have a strong urge to get a West Higland Terrier.
Any owners on here that would care to give their opinions on the breeds character, temperament etc?
Are they potentially obedient and trainable?
The dog would be with me at work all day and I live in a flat that over looks miles and miles of river/footpaths so exercise certainly wouldn't be a problem, likewise at work my office is located on a private farm so plenty of chance to strretch his (little) legs....!
Gratuitous picture...
I have really got to the stage now of wanting (needing?) to get another dog and have a strong urge to get a West Higland Terrier.
Any owners on here that would care to give their opinions on the breeds character, temperament etc?
Are they potentially obedient and trainable?
The dog would be with me at work all day and I live in a flat that over looks miles and miles of river/footpaths so exercise certainly wouldn't be a problem, likewise at work my office is located on a private farm so plenty of chance to strretch his (little) legs....!
Gratuitous picture...
I was looking for a playmate dog for my only child and was recommended to get a Westie. Taking that advice 12 years ago I have not looked back. They are adaptable, friendly, trainable, loving yet spirited (they are Terriers!), strong willed and will make their presence felt. From there I have gone on to be a breeder (sorry last litter sold just before Christmas). Westies have 2 potential problems to watch for, skin or teeth problems so check the history of any Westie you get. If you are looking for a puppy, obviously the Kennel Club is the place to start as breeders do have to follow rules. You should at least see the Mum and if possible Dad (I only have b
hes as I do not breed as a living, so no male hormones here). The best tip I can give you is if you do get a puppy use the first 16 weeks of it's life to introduce it to any environment you expect to encounter in the future. I did this with mine, taking her to the seaside, fun pier (in my pocket as she hadn't been fully vacinated) , country parks and everywhere there were children. I have not looked back. I think I have the only Westie determined to catch fireworks, planes etc - she is fearless. There is the Westie rescue centre and I know a lady who has 3 from there and has not encountered any problems with them. Finally as a small dog most friends/ family are happy for the dog to accompany you and they are very companionable. Look around and you will see a lot of folk have 2, probably because they do love to play and can do that with each other instead of demanding the owners time.
Diane
hes as I do not breed as a living, so no male hormones here). The best tip I can give you is if you do get a puppy use the first 16 weeks of it's life to introduce it to any environment you expect to encounter in the future. I did this with mine, taking her to the seaside, fun pier (in my pocket as she hadn't been fully vacinated) , country parks and everywhere there were children. I have not looked back. I think I have the only Westie determined to catch fireworks, planes etc - she is fearless. There is the Westie rescue centre and I know a lady who has 3 from there and has not encountered any problems with them. Finally as a small dog most friends/ family are happy for the dog to accompany you and they are very companionable. Look around and you will see a lot of folk have 2, probably because they do love to play and can do that with each other instead of demanding the owners time. Diane
My ex-wife and I had one, Robbie. I'm now in a new relationship and, because of my good experience with Robbie, we have two, Archie and Maisie. Archie came along first and a year later we decided it would be good to have a companion for him so we found a bh of just 7 weeks old from a Westie rescue organisation.
They are great fun, have a lovely character combined with a little bit of terrier attitude.
Archie is a telly addict and also glances at my computer screen as he passes by to see if there's anything worth jumping up on my knee for in order to get a better view.
Maisie doesn't get screens at all and looks at Archie in a bemused manner when he gets excited at his favourite programmes, and she chooses to grab a back leg to regain his attention.
I can't recommend them highly enough.
Shame you can't use the word bh though in a thread about dogs......
h of just 7 weeks old from a Westie rescue organisation.They are great fun, have a lovely character combined with a little bit of terrier attitude.
Archie is a telly addict and also glances at my computer screen as he passes by to see if there's anything worth jumping up on my knee for in order to get a better view.
Maisie doesn't get screens at all and looks at Archie in a bemused manner when he gets excited at his favourite programmes, and she chooses to grab a back leg to regain his attention.
I can't recommend them highly enough.
Shame you can't use the word b
h though in a thread about dogs......Edited by RegMolehusband on Monday 2nd January 10:45
Yeah, Westies are great dogs sure you wouldn't regret the decision. My mum has got a couple and they are fun little dogs with a lot of character. Well behaved, not yappy and good with everyone (including a boisterous 5 year old granddaughter).
^^^ That's Charlie, he's getting on now (15 years old) but still trim and goes on fairly long walks daily although sleeps a lot. In that pic I was unpacking the xmas presents from my car and by the time I'd returned with the 2nd load he'd already made himself comfy on my jumper. He also suffers from the selective hearing mentioned above, his party trick is standing at the back of the garden in the rain looking blankly at you as you scream his name, lol
^^^ That's Rosie, a friendly 9 year old who will lick anyone to death given half the chance.
I agree with the comments about getting two, always better for the dogs if you can manage that. Can't really think of any problems with our Westies, I suppose they aren't overly playful but that's probably because they live with a pensioner and I'm comparing them to my previous dog who was a slightly mad wire haired fox terrier.
^^^ That's Charlie, he's getting on now (15 years old) but still trim and goes on fairly long walks daily although sleeps a lot. In that pic I was unpacking the xmas presents from my car and by the time I'd returned with the 2nd load he'd already made himself comfy on my jumper. He also suffers from the selective hearing mentioned above, his party trick is standing at the back of the garden in the rain looking blankly at you as you scream his name, lol
^^^ That's Rosie, a friendly 9 year old who will lick anyone to death given half the chance.
I agree with the comments about getting two, always better for the dogs if you can manage that. Can't really think of any problems with our Westies, I suppose they aren't overly playful but that's probably because they live with a pensioner and I'm comparing them to my previous dog who was a slightly mad wire haired fox terrier.
Many thanks for the feedback people, sounds like a good option for me then!
I think that if I do go for it then I will have to only have the one dog though, two would be lovely but I feel that one would be much easier to cope with but maybe look into another addition later on.
As regards the introducing to as many environments as early as possible; I hope that works with travelling in the car as he will need to commute with me each day
Loving the pictures too
I think that if I do go for it then I will have to only have the one dog though, two would be lovely but I feel that one would be much easier to cope with but maybe look into another addition later on.
As regards the introducing to as many environments as early as possible; I hope that works with travelling in the car as he will need to commute with me each day
Loving the pictures too
Used to know a lot of snappy westies but in recent years that has become much less of an issue, generally seem to be very good natured and bright and should not be pampered/ spoilt.
Can't under estmate the skin issues (and a conditioon called Westie Jaw, though not seen a case for quite a while), Westies are a popular breed so see many of them as a result see a lot with skin problems some quite horrendous. Make sure as mentioned you get a good line (and that doesn't always mean show winning lines!) Be very careful not to fall into the puppy farm trap. Westies are one of the most commonly puppy farmed breeds. If a breeder is breeding more than one breed of dog avoid them. If they are based in Wales (most puppy farms are in Wales), if they do not let you see at least the Mum, if they offer to deliver the pup to you etc then do not get pup from them.
I seem to be pointing at the negatives I know but that is only because out of all breeds the Westie does seem to the most vulnerable to the above.
Good luck and hope you find your furry (white) friend soon
Can't under estmate the skin issues (and a conditioon called Westie Jaw, though not seen a case for quite a while), Westies are a popular breed so see many of them as a result see a lot with skin problems some quite horrendous. Make sure as mentioned you get a good line (and that doesn't always mean show winning lines!) Be very careful not to fall into the puppy farm trap. Westies are one of the most commonly puppy farmed breeds. If a breeder is breeding more than one breed of dog avoid them. If they are based in Wales (most puppy farms are in Wales), if they do not let you see at least the Mum, if they offer to deliver the pup to you etc then do not get pup from them.
I seem to be pointing at the negatives I know but that is only because out of all breeds the Westie does seem to the most vulnerable to the above.
Good luck and hope you find your furry (white) friend soon
Got a 3yr old boy fast asleep in my lap as I type! Do it, they are great little dogs, loads of character & thats from a spaniel fan (also have a working cocker).
They are great with kids, can be a bit funny with cats though & as already said, check very carefully as they can suffer with skin conditions etc, research the dog food well, this little fella has Burns fish & brown rice, anything else makes his skin flare up.
They are great with kids, can be a bit funny with cats though & as already said, check very carefully as they can suffer with skin conditions etc, research the dog food well, this little fella has Burns fish & brown rice, anything else makes his skin flare up.
bexVN said:
SmokinV8 said:
feed a wheat/gluton free diet for the skin
A lot of westies skin is due to contact allergy not diet, however a good quality diet certainly doesn't hurt, as mentioned above Burns is a good one.Our Irish Setter does actually have a 'gluten related villus atrophy' - the dog version of human coeliac disease. The problem came out when we stitched from JWB puppy to junior. The JWB veg is fine though - as would be Fish4. And his coat is great. Its only his villi that would be affected - and took him three years to catch up to his normal weight.
Since then MrsMercs has been diagnosed with coeliac disease. Her villi were not too bad - but the gluten free diet has cleared up her psoriasis after 18 months - showing some proof about skin condition (at least in humans) !
Earlier today came across an Irish Soft Coat Wheaten Terrier for the first time - thought it was a Westie at first as it was hidden behind a low wall. Very nice - possible alternative ?
We have a 7 Mnth old called Ozzy, This is my thread on him:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I would agree with most of the coments on this thread. Ozzy goes to work with me and is fantastic, like someone said, introduce as much as you can in the first few weeks with you and it will pay off. I took Ozzy out every day in the van just to get him used to it, starting off just round the block.
We have crate trained him and its worked great for us (he has a crate under my desk at work aswell as at home)
Re training, he is so quick to pick things up, usually only 3/4 times and he has it. We have him trained to come on a dog whistle, wait and lye at distance and walk close off lead which is great on walks off lead. But also like other westie's he will often have moments of selective hearing LOL
Go for it
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I would agree with most of the coments on this thread. Ozzy goes to work with me and is fantastic, like someone said, introduce as much as you can in the first few weeks with you and it will pay off. I took Ozzy out every day in the van just to get him used to it, starting off just round the block.
We have crate trained him and its worked great for us (he has a crate under my desk at work aswell as at home)
Re training, he is so quick to pick things up, usually only 3/4 times and he has it. We have him trained to come on a dog whistle, wait and lye at distance and walk close off lead which is great on walks off lead. But also like other westie's he will often have moments of selective hearing LOL
Go for it
This my Dads little westie. Very calm and quiet but very spoilt lol. Hes 6 and had already has an operation on his back legs because the bones were rubbing and sort of grinding down, so they were pinned and stapled and seem to be much better now. Also he has just started having skin problems !
Westie by n_const, on Flickr
Westie by n_const, on Flickr
Chris77 said:
We have a 7 Mnth old called Ozzy, This is my thread on him:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I would agree with most of the coments on this thread. Ozzy goes to work with me and is fantastic, like someone said, introduce as much as you can in the first few weeks with you and it will pay off. I took Ozzy out every day in the van just to get him used to it, starting off just round the block.
We have crate trained him and its worked great for us (he has a crate under my desk at work aswell as at home)
Re training, he is so quick to pick things up, usually only 3/4 times and he has it. We have him trained to come on a dog whistle, wait and lye at distance and walk close off lead which is great on walks off lead. But also like other westie's he will often have moments of selective hearing LOL
Go for it
Many thanks for that, great post and loved reading your thread too. Want one even more now!http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I would agree with most of the coments on this thread. Ozzy goes to work with me and is fantastic, like someone said, introduce as much as you can in the first few weeks with you and it will pay off. I took Ozzy out every day in the van just to get him used to it, starting off just round the block.
We have crate trained him and its worked great for us (he has a crate under my desk at work aswell as at home)
Re training, he is so quick to pick things up, usually only 3/4 times and he has it. We have him trained to come on a dog whistle, wait and lye at distance and walk close off lead which is great on walks off lead. But also like other westie's he will often have moments of selective hearing LOL
Go for it
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff