West Highland White Terrier

And/or could you buy a dog purse they could fit into?

westies range in weight from 13 to 22 pounds … i have a 14 pound dog and she does have a carrier i use to take her on transit … but she is heavy to carry … i could not imagine carrying a 22 pound dog in a dog purse … the carrier i have is for up to 25 pounds but my 14 pound dog just fits … i think it is doable but would not be enjoyable …

I have done much research but have found conflicting responses. I will be having a baby brother around the house, and my mom has allergies, we travel a lot too.

Westies need frequent haircuts at the grooming shop (every 6 weeks) to keep looking like Westies. They get dirty very often (they are terriers who love to dig in dirt) and never stay white for long. They are prone to allergies that cause them to lick their feet, leaving permanent brownish saliva stains. They need a lot of exercise and they bark a lot. Westies are happiest when hunting rats or mice. Like all terriers, they can be nippy. You can’t train out instinct.

Ask yourself: Can I afford to pay $45 (guesstimate price) eight or nine times a year? Do I mind that my dog will look dirty and discolored most of the time? Will anyone in my family object to the dog digging up the yard, or possibly bringing dead rats/mice into the house? Will I be able to afford to pay for the (expensive) allergy treatments my dog may very likely need? Are we a tolerant, easy-going family who won’t mind the bark-bark-barking? Are our neighbors and the people we visit okay with the barking, too? Will someone watch my baby brother EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY so he won’t get nipped or bitten? Will my mother’s allergies be made worse by exposure to dog dander? How much does it cost to take a dog that size with us and what special equipment will we need to buy (airlines approved crate? pickup truck cross ties? doggy seatbelt?). If you travel by bus or train, how will the dog travel? Which months do the airlines in my area refuse to take pets due to the hot or cold weather? Do the places we will be staying at while traveling allow dogs indoors? What does it cost to take a dog to a hotel/motel and what are the size restrictions? If I can’t take my dog along when traveling, who will take care of it for me and what will it cost? Can I afford that? If my dog gets hurt while being boarded or traveling with us, what do I do? Will I really be able take my dog for a run every day? Who will exercise my dog when I am sick or away? Who will brush and comb the dog between grooming visits to keep him or her tangle-free? Will a dog fit into my life at all right now?

I have been wanting a dog for ages, after my last dog died. As my mum wants a small-medium sized dog, i have decided on either a westie or a cairny but it MUST be female and i am wondering which is known for it’s better temperament and which is more active than the other.

Hi,
Westies are tough bold little dogs, and definitely not lap dogs. They love to dig, as they were bred to hunt varmint. This is a double layered white only dog that is good in cold weather. It has a super strong tail, so if u pull it, it doesn’t hurt. These dogs do well in most environments. They have some health issues and are not very easy to train because of their adamant behavior. It ha a little more coat care than 4 most breeds. This dog needs supervision with young kids.
Environment: doesn’t like extreme heat.
Health:susceptible to sunburn on ears.
Grooming: Requires extensive grooming
Exercise & Training: A challenge to train
Family: Monitor small children.

Cairnies
I think u know that Cairnies r famous because Toto was one. Anyway, this dog was bred to hunt rodents. It has a wiry coat that is water and weather-proof. It has a variety of colors except white, which is known as a Westie. The dog has bigger front paws (an advantage of digging) with thick pads and long nails. Their small alert ears hear everything. This dog can pretty much live anywhere. They need grooming. These r trainable, but stubborn, so start at early age. This is a great dog who loves to play and needs an active family.

Environment: can live in any setting
health: Live long, healthy lives
Grooming: brush daily and handstrip 2 times per year.
Training: May take time
Family: Great with Families.

U decide. I think Cairnies r better because they r healthier, a little more active, and great with families.

hi I might be moving and might get 2 other dogs a pomeranian and white terrier. Wouls they all get along.

I guess. My friend has a Westie & he loves all dogs no matter how big or small. So, yeah, probably!

If they live in an appartment?
like how long should there walks be if the speed of the walk is 4-5 KMPH

A Westie does not require a huge amount of exercise but opportunities for boredom should be avoided as it is usually the cause for the dog to create trouble. Being earth dogs, they do like to dig. A regular walk or playtime in the park would be quite beneficial to the dog.

Also I’m interested in where I can find this brands of food. It is the first time I’m owning a dog and I really want to have him with the best food. Information about what shampoo I may use to bath the westie will be appreciated too. Thanks!

Orijen, Acana, Wellness, Taste of the Wild are all good foods. You can buy these at (farm) feed stores and some pet stores like Global Pet Foods or Petland.

Just use regular dog or puppy shampoo (puppy is tear free), you can buy shampoos for dogs with white coats, that may be a good option for you. Just make sure it’s made for dogs, not humans.