Pets Information

Are Westhighland Terriers the Right Dogs for You?


You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it is the right size for your yard, home, or lifestyle, but a little more in-depth knowledge is necessary to determine if westies have the personality for you.

Westie terriers are exuberant little dogs, but owners do report that they are usually content to lie at their side throughout the day. However, once they are let outside, westies will want to run and jump and play. Like any dog, they require outside playtime every day. Westies are not dogs that perform well when left alone all day.

Some people describe them as obstinate and naughty. This is a trait of many terrier breeds, but westies dogs usually have it to a lesser degree. They are very independent, but they are also intelligent and easy to train if they handled in a firm, consistent way. Westie terriers are considered easy to housetrain, because of their natural desire to remain clean.

Most are not described as cuddlers. They are not lap dogs. However, they are extremely companionable, and want to be with you no matter what you do. You can take westie dogs just about anywhere that dogs are allowed to go.

They will bark to announce that a stranger is approaching. They make good guard dogs. They can be trained not to bark, or to bark once and then stop. Although they announce strangers, they are also extremely friendly with everybody.

Your westie terriers will get along with your children if they respect the dogs' boundaries. One that has been poked and pulled to the point of irritation will nip or become aggressive. Some authorities on westies do not recommend the dogs for homes with children under six years of age.

West highland white terriers were bred to chase down small prey. If a cat runs away, it will chase it. Westie rescue organizations report that the terrier's inability to tolerate cats can be a problem. Other small pets, such as rodents and birds, are not safe to run loose in a home with a westie terrier. Your westie will usually accept other dogs, although males are less likely to accept another unaltered male of any breed.

All terriers are also bred to dig prey out of the ground. They enjoy digging and will do so if they are allowed to learn the behavior when they are puppies. Older dogs that have already learned the behavior can be trained out of it.

Westie terriers' physical needs are fairly simple. They do not shed much, but require regular brushing, and grooming every six to eight weeks. It is better to let the hard, stiff coat shed dirt and debris naturally, rather than frequent bathing.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com

Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest,
Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You
Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW!
http://www.madaboutwesties.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Pet Photo Friday is almost here - submit your photos now!
AnnArbor.com
Knowing that there are many fun-loving pets that live in and around our area, we're anxious to see what you've been up to. Why not submit a favorite photo of your pet? What fun activities did your pets get to enjoy this week - a hike, perhaps or a trip ...
Delta Society(R) Is Now Pet Partners(R)MarketWatch (press release)

all 2 news articles »


VetPracticeNews.com

Pet Obesity Rate Rises
VetPracticeNews.com
The percentage of pet cats and dogs classified as overweight remained relatively constant over the past year, but the rate of obesity increased, especially among cats, according to the fifth annual veterinary survey conducted by the Association for Pet ...
Alison Sweeney Backs 'Million Pound Pledge' for PetsZootoo.com
Consumers Pamper Pets With Healthier ProductsManufacturing.net
Pampered Pet Business Booms in USVoice of America
allvoices -MarketWatch (press release)
all 34 news articles »


Pet oxygen masks can save animals' lives in fires
San Jose Mercury News
23, 2007 file photo, Nancee Schaffner of the Rutland Area Disaster Animal Response Team demonstrates an oxygen mask for pets on Maple, a sheperd mix dog, at the fire station in Clarendon, Vt. While pet oxygen masks have been used for decades by ...

and more »


The Associated Press

Meet Your Match boosts puppy love (and kitty love) by matching people and pets ...
Washington Post
The color-coded program evaluates shelter pets and the people looking to adopt them in an effort to match personalities, energy levels and needs. Playing Cupid with Meet Your Match helped workers at the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to ...
Find puppy love (cats too) through Meet Your MatchWTOP

all 170 news articles »


Shelter pets find forever homes
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide
Over the past three decades, the shelter has adopted out more than 11000 pets and has been named one of the top nonprofits in the valley by the readers of the Sun Valley Guide. In addition, a "shelter mutt" was named one of the best breeds to have.
PETS OF THE WEEKClarksville Leaf Chronicle
Adoption screening makes sure pets find 'forever home'Houma Courier
Shelter Exchange and Adopt-a-Pet.com Partner to Help Homeless AnimalsEON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
Patch.com
all 23 news articles »


Fracking's Toll on Pets, Livestock Chills Farmers: Commentary
BusinessWeek
A new study by veterinarian Michelle Bamberger and Robert Oswald, a professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell University, chronicles case studies of dozens of farmers and pet owners in six states over the Marcellus Shale. Their findings, published in ...

and more »


Bothell dog therapist helps pets get fit
Seattle Post Intelligencer
Josie's owner, So Scazafavo, began a program of pet therapy at Wag Wellness in Bothell. Josie can't twirl around like a ballerina like she used to, but she has regained some of the use of her hind legs and is doing really well, Scazafavo said.

and more »


KFOX El Paso

Pets eat the weirdest things; pet proof your home
Daily Camera
By Kat Burns Humane Society of Boulder Valley You never know what your pet might swallow. So take precautions to prevent severe injury that might require surgery. Photo courtesy Boulder Valley Humane Society Pets do not have the most discerning palate ...
Bad pet owners might be causing fee hikes for everyone elseKFOX El Paso
Meridian Valley Humane Society joins forces with Pets for PatriotsKIVI-TV

all 3 news articles »


Swell Pets

Pet Pointers: Pet health insurance
YNN
Health insurance coverage for our families is a common topic of conversation these days that has also extended to our pets. Today we'll learn more about pet health insurance in this edition of Pet Pointers. Then come back here and refresh the page.
Brits 'more likely to insure pets than family members'Swell Pets

all 3 news articles »


Fundraiser goal: Pet food for food bank
HeraldNet
The nonprofit is hosting a pet food drive on Saturday at the Safeway store located at 1258 State Ave. to benefit the Marysville Community Food Bank. By Amy Daybert, Herald Writer MARYSVILLE -- A nonprofit plans to help those who visit the Marysville ...


Google News

home | site map | First Rate Hosting
© 2006 First Rate Hosting

Powered By First Rate Hosting