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)