Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are your expectations? What do you know about the breed? You take time out to know these answers. Knowing your motives and being sufficiently educated about the breed, is key to getting the dog that?s right for you. It will also guide you in picking the right breeder, from the many West Highland White breeders around.

Your breeder should:

1. Be a member to the following: the West Highland White Terrier Club of America, a regional Westie club, or an all-breed club. Membership to all these organizations is ideal, but it?s not a strict requirement. It does indicate that they are committed to knowing all there is for the breed, and responsibilities attached.

2. Be concerned about what kind of buyer you are, and to whom they sell their dogs. This is a good indication that the breeder isn?t after a quick profit but genuinely concerned in doing what is right for both the dog and you.

3. Will allow you access to the puppy, so you can have this examined by a veterinarian. The veterinarian is a reliable third party who can give you the real situation with regards to health of the puppy. It also gives both you and the breeder, the assurance about the condition of the puppy upon sale.

4. Willingly give you references about their clientele list, names of other breeders and the veterinarians who provide care for these dogs.

5. Be knowledgeable about the breed, because buying a Westie is not the end of it. You?ll still need expert advice when it comes to such problems as health, feeding or even socialization issues. A dedicated breeder who?ll remind you to return the dog to them, should you decide to not to keep it, later on.

6. Be able to show you a kennel that is clean, puppies that are friendly and playful.

7. Provide you a complete record of the dates and types of vaccinations and worming done, feeding instructions for your puppy.

8. Provide you a written contract and/or conditions of sale for the puppy.

9. Give you a ?blue slip?; this is the application to register the puppy in your own name with the American Kennel Club (AKC). If its? not available during the time of sale, request that the breeder state on a dated, signed receipt of payment that the application will be sent to you as soon as possible.

Your relationship with the breeder of your West Highland Terrier is not a one time sale, it continues until the death of your pet; it makes great sense to have rapport between you and your breeder.

(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
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The West Highland White Terrier or Westie, has it’s origin, as the name suggests, in the western Scottish Highlands. They were originally bred for controlling the population of rats, fox, otter and other vermin

The West highland White Terrier (also known as the Westie) is a elegant looking dog with beautiful eyes (this is my favourite feature).

Class: Terrier

Colour: White (Did I say white? – Definitely not today)

Height: Dogs – 10-12 inches

Bitches – 9-11 inches

Weight: Dogs – 15-22 lbs

Bitches – 13-16 lbs

Life Span: 15 years

Litter Size: 2-5

From an owners perspective, I find the Westie, active, assertive, fun loving and does he like to play. Our westie called Pepper has a continual fight with the hoover.

He also likes to chase our cat (who is 9 years). She can’t be bothered with him and has put him in his place a few times. However he never seems to learn.

His other love is going for a walk. He goes crazy when he sees the dog lead being taken out of the drawer.

Nowadays, they are more of a companion or family dog, even though they have strong terrier instincts. Above all they are a very smart, loyal and lovable dog.

So, westie owners everywhere, come on and submit your pics and stories to:

http://www.crazyaboutwesties.com

From the 100 Top Westie sites contained in the Mad About Westies package, we know that the love for your dogs extends all countries and cultures. From New Zealand (NZ) to Russia to USA to Europe to South America.

(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.)

Good health and happiness to you always

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com
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Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures are cuddly and white furry balls, at least 12-15 inches tall, possessing a pair of coal black eyes and snubbed nose. They look fragile and needful of your protection and care. This is deceiving, for they were initially bred to hunt vermin and are intelligent hunters.

Historically the Westies or West Highland White Terriers were bred in the high mountains of west Scotland and claims ancestry to the Scotch Terrier.

While many dog owners who own Westie puppies know they dont come cheap, the joy, loyalty and love these dogs have give are worth it.

Is it easy to acquire any of the Westies puppies? No, youll need to be mindful that Westies puppies breeders are selective with whom theyll place their puppies. Only dog lovers with an extensive understanding of this breeds need for extensive grooming and exercise are considered.

Here are useful facts about Westies puppies, for dog lovers.

When and how should you teach your Westies puppy to socialize? The ideal time, would be when the puppy is between eight and 16 weeks of age, theyre rapidly maturing during this period. Make sure the pup is exposed to every stimulus hell have during his lifetime, while he/she is very young. Or else youll get a fearful dog.

Choose food specially formulated for puppies. Dont feed them people food.

At first offer food to these young puppies three times a day. After 5-6 months, feed the puppy twice a day. To avoid the puppy getting obese, let the puppy eat for only fifteen minutes, then remove the food dish. Check your Westies puppys paws and nails on a weekly basis.

Trim the hairs between the paws and nails.

Make sure the house is warm, before you bathe your pup, as puppies can lose body temperature quickly. Avoid getting shampoo in their eyes and keep water out of the ears. Wash the pups face last. Towel dry your pup as soon as his bath is done. You can use a hair dryer, but regulate the heat, or you might burn your pup.

Puppies normally lose the disease protection theyve received from their mothers, when they are around six and sixteen weeks of age. To avoid their getting sick, keep your pup away from sick dogs. Check with the vet when to schedule the puppys shots.

Lastly, heres one way to keep your Westie puppys fur white. Use a white grooming chalk and sprinkle it into the coat once a week or as needed.

Take care of your Westie puppy, and youll be rewarded with an intelligent dog thats loving and delightful.

(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
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Your Westies Life! Click Here Now!
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Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him for a household pet, the first key to West Highland Terrier grooming is to start while he is a puppy.

Take your Westie to his first groomer appointment after he has had all of his shots, at approximately 14 weeks. Acclimate your dog to the grooming process, and he will grow to accept it as part of his natural routine. If you intend to groom your dog at home, give him his first clipping at around the same age.

West Highland Terrier grooming, whether performed at home or by a groomer, should be performed with the dog’s safety and comfort as the first considerations. Be aware of the practices used by your groomer, and be sure to remain with your dog until you are convinced that he is safe.

Contact your local Westie Club to find a reputable groomer. If you intend to show your dog, you will want to be sure that your groomer knows what a Westie cut looks like. It is not unusual for owners to find that their Westie has come home from a grooming looking like a Schnauzer or a Scottish Terrier. If you are uncertain, bring photographs to your first groomer visit.

Although you might think that, after safety, your first consideration is price, how to groom your Westie is your next decision. A show dog must be hand stripped to give the dog its Westie look – round head, carrot-shaped tail, and blended skirt.

Hand stripping involves actually pulling hairs. When they grow back, they tend to be straighter and coarser. Many claim that a hand stripped Westie coat sheds dirt, allowing the dog to go longer between baths. Hand stripping is not necessary for a Westie that is kept as a pet, and a regular clipping from your groomer, or at home, is all that your dog needs. A clipped Westie coat will be softer and curlier, and more prone to staining.

Because of their white coats, staining is another problem peculiar to West Highland Terrier grooming. If the hair is white at the base, licking might be the problem, and is often triggered by cuts and abrasions, or objects lodged in the hair around the paw.

Hair that is stained down to the base may indicate a fungal or yeast infection, and your Westie should see a veterinarian. Staining around the muzzle is most often caused by the food the dog eats. Check for red food dies, or beets in the formula. If you want your Westie to attain show dog perfection, a cotton ball dipped in hydrogen peroxide, and wiped on the beard daily, will lighten and prevent the stains.

(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.)

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com
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Your Westies Life! Click Here Now!
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