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Many thanks to
Di of morguefile for this lovely photo of a westie looking
typically inquisitive and ready for action. |
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How's this for a superb
picture of westie pictured in North Berwick, in Scotland.
Many thanks to
"greenfinger" of morguefile for this photo. |
The West Highland White
Terrier is described as being strongly built
and deep in the chest and back ribs.
They should have a level back and powerful quarters on
muscular legs. They should
exhibit in a marked
degree, a great combination of strength and activity.
The westie is usually around 11ins (28cm) tall and
weighs 15 to 22lb(7 to 10kg). The breed is double coated with the
outer coat being fairly long and harsh and the undercoat short
and soft. People often have their westies stripped in the
summer so that the whole coat is short and easy to care for.
Whenever you groom and strip this type of dog yourself it's best to get a lesson from a dog groomer.
Westies do like to please
their owners but if you are bringing up a puppy it will need to
know exactly what the boundaries are or you could end up with a
spoilt little terror instead of a happy little terrier.
Respondents to the survey
didn't claim that the westie was easy to train
but they did think that with a little work they are perfectly
capable of doing agility. If you already have a westie
that's bursting with energy and curiosity then agility might be
just the thing to keep him or her occupied.
Like all the other breeds people who fall for
westies tend to fall for them in a big way. A lot of
people have commented that they aren't yappy little terriers and
that they are loyal and affectionate pets. As with other
breeds, if you have never had this type of dog before then talk
to the breeders and find about their needs and characteristics.
A good breeder should be able to help you to decide if this is
the right sort of dog for you.
Aimee
I have had a west highland terrier for 16 years and I have just had to have her put
to sleep. I must say she made my life every happy and I loved the way she was with
everything.
Lizzie:
Westie's are incredible dogs!!! My Westie does obedience, agility and is capable of
doing show!! But the weird thing is, is that she prefers to do agility with a ball
rather than a treat and flies around the course, especially my one at home!
Sarah Bell (westie
cross cairn terrier):
Westie cross cairns are very laid back dogs. Our one, George, will sleep all day if you
let him. He is a very good house dog and keen when strangers enter the house.
Meggster:
Hi , My grandma has a west highland white and they are the most gorgeous dogs and are
very active they are not to small or very large, so I do advise you if you want a
dog to look into West Highland White, they're great!
Amy:
I train my nan's dog and she will jump when the other dog jumps. But
she is quite
scared of jumps and tunnels (the only 2 things I've tried her with)!
Paula:
I got my westie for my 14th birthday, and trained her myself, she has been very
stubborn but a good challenge. Although she doesn't do agility at the moment, she
has been known to follow me over jumps when I'm jumping my horse. Agility is
definitely the thing for her and we are looking for agility classes in our area.
Lizzie:
Some dogs are not very good but they can become amazing breeds for more activities!
Westie Owner:
I am 12 and I have a westie. I trained him myself and have won
obedience awards
with him. I am doing agility with him and he is very capable. He can do
every item
in the course but he is slightly stubborn but he is very fast.
I think westies can
be great agility dogs, they just need time to learn and a very patient
owner!
Annie:
Westies are good dogs as my daughter,
who is 11,
has trained a westie
so he can
jump, go over the dog walk, go through weaves and go through any sort of
tunnel.
Westie Handler:
Although he is not entered in competitions
yet (not old enough!) is doing really
well in training and loves it.
Westie Handler:
Re: 'Would you recommend this type of dog for
agility?' I answered yes because Westies are definitely
physically capable of agility, and are a lot of fun to run. They
certainly benefit from the training, as there are so many Westies
out there but so few people actually do any training with them.
However, while they are capable of agility, I don't believe they
have as much potential as other breeds as they can be a bit
stocky and aren't built on springs the way for example Jack
Russells appear to be!
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