Are Westhighland Terriers the Right Dogs for You?
Jeff Cuckson
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
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
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