Playful Westie

I had the privilege to dog-sit an amazing Westie named Addey over the holidays this year.  Addey is a 12 year old female who has all kinds of spunk and vigor! She was a real treat to walk, play with, and snuggle up next to!  As you can see below, she's very cute and loved hanging with us!

A couple of things that we learned while taking care of Addey:

1) We had to take most of our walks in wet weather  which meant that Addey got dirty! When you care for a Westie in a wet climate, be sure to have plenty of old towels to wipe off your little friend.  

2) Addey has a small stomach, so she could only handle a small portion of food at a time. We decided to feed her 4 times a day, which she loved. 

Westie Recognition

West Highland Terriers are recognized by the following: CKC1, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC2, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CET, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR, ACA in the Terrier Group.

ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
AKC = American Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
CET = Club Español de Terriers (Spanish Terrier Club)
CKC1 = Canadian Kennel Club
CKC2 = Continental Kennel Club
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
NKC = National Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel Club

Westie Love

Westies are full of life, spunk, and devotion. They also possesses a stubborn streak — although they don’t generally look for a fight, they won’t be caught dead walking away from one, either. Westies are easy to train, but only when they feel like it. With proper, guidance, it’s possible to teach the Westie not to bark or dig excessively, which the breed is prone to do when bored.

Westie Life

Source: Paulette Johnson

The West Highland White Terrier is a hardy little terrier that is easy to train. It is friendly toward strangers and gets along well with children. These dogs are extremely self-assured toward other dogs, but will not pick fights if their owners know how to display proper leadership and they may chase a cat for fun. Friendly, robust, and spirited, Westies love companionship. Despite their size, they make a very good watchdog. Westies likes to dig and bark. If a Westie is allowed to become the pack leader, it may snap when irritated and be combative with other dogs. A lack of training on the owner’s part can cause many behavior problems, such as biting and guarding food. A Westie that has an owner who knows how to display firm, confident, consistent, leadership will not experience these behavioral problems.

Westie Fun and Excercise

Source: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images26/WestHighlandWhiteTerriersDogsPurebredsSusie12Rosie9Years.jpg

These little guys need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play does not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that don't get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area, such as a fenced-in yard.

Westie Height and Weight

Source: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images15/WestieMadisonIMGP3272.JPG

Height and Weight of a typical Westie:

Height: Males 10 - 12 inches (25 - 30 cm) Females 9 - 11 inches (23 - 28 cm)

Weight: Males 15 - 22 pounds (7 - 10 kg)  Females 13 - 16 pounds (6 - 7 kg)

Westie History

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images26/WestHighlandWhiteTerrierWestiePurebredDogCody5YearsOld1.jpg

The West Highland White Terrier originates from Scotland. It was once called the Poltalloch Terrier, then later was called the Roseneath Terrier, named after the Duke of Argyll’s estate. The breed came about in the mid-19th century when a Scottish breeder of the Cairn Terrier. White pups were selected and bred to obtain the West Highland White Terrier. The West Highland was first shown in the USA in 1906 and first recognized by the AKC in 1908. In 1909 the breed’s name was changed from the Roseneath Terrier to the West Highland White Terrier. The Westie was originally bred for controlling the population of rats, fox, badger, otter and other vermin and his distinctive snowy fur so he could be spotted while hunting brown- and red-coated creatures.

Westie Dog

This cocky breed loves people, but he’s not a lap dog. He’s a bit restless and likes to be on the move, so be prepared to live with an independent thinker who can be noisy and destructive if his natural terrier instincts aren’t channeled effectively through training and exercise. Overall health permitting, keep him busy with dog sports — agility, flyball, obedience, and rally — and test his natural terrier ability in earthdog trials.

Curious Westie

I have decided to write blog that will contain Cute West Highland Terrier photos, stories and information!  In addition, I will try to add some tidbits on care and important news about Westies. So, if you would like to submit your photos or stories to me, please do so using the contact form to the left!  We'd be glad to post them on the site and make your Westie famous!  

Mary Bloom

Westies have a double coat with a soft, furry undercoat and a stiffer outer coat. The tough texture of the outer coat doesn’t retain dirt, keeping the dog clean and protecting the undercoat. It’s necessary to comb or brush all the way through to the undercoat to prevent mats. In general, the undercoat doesn’t grow in until the Westie is at least a year old; in some cases, it can even take up to five years. It’s easy to keep the Westie white: When he’s a puppy, brush his coat once a week, using a pin brush or comb. Adults require daily brushing.

Three Amigos - Westies

I have decided to write blog that will contain Cute West Highland Terrier photos, stories and information!  In addition, I will try to add some tidbits on care and important news about Westies. So, if you would like to submit your photos or stories to me, please do so using the contact form to the left!  We'd be glad to post them on the site and make your Westie famous!  

Eva Maria Kramer, Animal Photography

Few breeds are as stylish as the West Highland White Terrier, evidenced by the iconic image of a well-coifed Westie sporting a smart, tartan-patterned rain slicker. They're comfortable in the city, the suburbs, and the country. At their best, Westies are energetic, people-oriented dogs, beloved and admired for their bright white coats and shiny, shoe-button eyes.

Running Westie

 I have decided to write blog that will contain Cute West Highland Terrier photos, stories and information!  In addition, I will try to add some tidbits on care and important news about Westies. So, if you would like to submit your photos or stories to me, please do so using the contact form to the left!  We'd be glad to post them on the site and make your Westie famous!  

Westies love some play time in the yard or park and a good walk or two. If you want, you can put this little dog on leash and go jogging for several blocks. But just don't overdo it, they're small so they can't keep up for extended periods of time.

Westie Puppy Love

I have decided to write blog that will contain Cute West Highland Terrier photos, stories and information!  In addition, I will try to add some tidbits on care and important news about Westies. So, if you would like to submit your photos or stories to me, please do so using the contact form to the left!  We'd be glad to post them on the site and make your Westie famous!  

Source: www.kimswesties.ca

Westies have smaller litters of usually 3 to five (average is 3.5 puppies per litter) and the breed tends to live between 12 to 16 years. 

Handsome Westie

I have decided to write blog that will contain Cute West Highland Terrier photos, stories and information!  In addition, I will try to add some tidbits on care and important news about Westies. So, if you would like to submit your photos or stories to me, please do so using the contact form to the left!  We'd be glad to post them on the site and make you're Westie famous!  

Source: desktopbackgrounds11.blogspot.com

Westies are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions, including Craniomandibular Osteopathy, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Cataracts, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Patellar Luxation. Not all Westies will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering them.

Westie Puppy

I have decided to blog that will contain Cute West Highland Terrier photos, stories and information!  In addition t, I will also try to add some tidbits on care and important news about Westies. So, if you would like to submit your photos or stories to me, please do so using the contact form to the left!  We'd be glad to post them on the site and make you're Westie famous!  

I like to play. I will run around, and chase imaginary monsters, and chase your feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and chase fuzzballs, other pets, and small kids. It is play; it's what I do. Do not be mad at me or expect me to be sedate, mellow and sleep all day.

Cute Westie

I have decided to blog that will contain Cute West Highland Terrier photos, stories and information!  In addition t, I will also try to add some tidbits on care and important news about Westies. So, if you would like to submit your photos or stories to me, please do so using the contact form to the left!  We'd be glad to post them on the site and make you're Westie famous!  

Early in life, Westies are usually friendly, playful, noisy, protective, bossy, and adventurous.  As they get older they become more affectionate, chilled, instinctive, gentle, caring, accepting, stoic, and trusting.  But throughout their lives, Westies are beautiful, loving companions.

Cute Westies

HELLO WORLD!

I have decided to start a blog that will contain Cute West Highland Terrier photos, stories and information!  In addition to cute Westie photos, stories and information, I will also try to add some tidbits on care and important news about Westies. I'm just a huge fan of Westies and love to see new pictures and hear stories about those little rascals. So, if you would like to submit your photos or stories to me, please do so (I will provide a way to send them to me shortly)!  We'd be glad to post them on the site and make you're Westie famous!  

Did you know?! Westies have soft, dense, thick undercoat and a rough outer coat.