Westie

My Male Westie Is 8 Years Old and 26 Pounds, What Is the Best Wieght for Him?

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

What is the average weight for an older westie, I believe he is getting a bit lazy, we have cut the portions, but not seeing a substabtial change yet.

Usually westies weigh about 15-22 pounds but of course it depends on his height. He may be a healthy weight. You won’t see a substantial loss with just decreasing his intake. Just like humans, they need exercise as well. Take him for walks and cut out treats and/or table scraps. Before putting him on a diet (i.e. diet food) speak with the vet.

Is It Wrong to Be Proud of My Westie Puppy for Killing a Mouse?

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

I usually use live traps in the attic and basement and check them every other day but my westie just caught a mouse in my kitchen and I was proud of her and praised her. My sister thinks it is bad that I awarded my terrier for killing something.

What do you think?

Its a good thing… unless you have neighbors who put out poison for the rodents.

Train the dog to bring you the dead mice and trade them in for his favorite treat. I used to know some folks who had a twin black tomcats who had been trained to trade dead rats for hot dogs. Sometimes the pile of rats got pretty big, but it was better than risking the cats eating the rodents themselves and being poisoned.

You can’t train the dog not to do it; it is bred right into his bones. You may as well encourage it.

How Many Times a Day Should I Feed My 7 Month Old Westie?

Friday, January 15th, 2010

I just need to know how many times a day I can feed my 7 month old Westie?
And I would also like to know about the weight at this age…

Thanks!

2 or 3 times a day

about 9 pounds

How Many Puppies Do Westie First Mating Have?

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

I need to know how many puppies do westie have for their fist time.Don’t worry I don’t sell them.

If you’re not breeding full blooded Westie to full blooded Westie, you’re just doing wrong. I hate people intentionally breeding mixed dogs for "designer breeds". That’s why the blood lines of good dog breeds are so diluted and messed up. Usually, 3-7. They are not typically large litters, but this all depends on the dogs genetics.

How Much Will It Cost to Have a Westie?

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

I am wondering how much it will cost to have have a westie.

I just adopted a dog about 4 weeks ago and including the $135. adoption and neuter fee I’m sure I’ve paid over $500. Food, dishes, crate, vaccines, vet exam, flea and heartworm prevention, toys, treats, fence repair at my parents house where he will stay while I’m on vacation…
What ever breed you get it is expensive to get the things you need in the beginning of pet ownership.
Once you get the one time purchases you will still have the recurring expenses and you will need to be prepared to treat your dog in an emergency.

Expect your dog to have some behavior issue that is beyond your training ability that requires paying a trainer. Expect your dog to someday come in limping from playing in the yard, or to swallow a rock or have a bad reaction to a bee sting. Expect this to happen on a Sunday night when the regular vet is closed and right after you get laid off from your job or just before Christmas when you would rather spend the money on an expensive gift.

Expect to pay for these things for up to 18 years.

That is how much it costs to have a Westie.

West Highland Terrier Owners, What Are Your Experiences and Comments About the Westie Breed?

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

I’m looking to get my first dog and I’ve fallen in love with this breed by searching for terrier breeds but have to still interact with the westie. I was wondering for when I decide to play with a westie and then eventually search for the perfect puppy what should I be looking for, and what are some of your favorite westie stories?

I like them, and in fact they are one of a very limited number of small dogs I could see myself owning. Two close family members have had Westies, one from a pup and one I’ve only known as an adult dog.

They can be vocal and a bit crazy if not disciplined correctly, as at the end of the day they are terriers. Because of their white coats they need a lot of grooming (and trust me, they will go and find the largest puddle of mud straight after a bath…) and the breed has its health problems (there’s a breathing problem a lot of them develop in later life… I can’t remember the proper name but colloquially it is known as "Westie Cough").

That said, they are intelligent dogs, very friendly when socialised, generally live long lives and make good pets in a good home. Both dogs I’ve known were lovely, having been well socialised and well cared for throughout their lives. :)

I would never recommend a terrier as a first dog, I really wouldn’t. It is somewhat throwing yourself in at the deep end, unlike owning something like a Labrador that are quite calm and don’t have moments where they’ll just yap and yap at you! That said if you’ve had experience with dogs of your own before you may know a little more than the average first time dog owner. As for having experience with a Westie, try going to a breed show, contacting a breed club (who, if you are serious, would be happy to give you serious advice on how to choose a quality dog and what the breed are like in depth), or visiting a shelter, who may have Westies.

As for looking for a puppy, don’t fall into the BYB scam – you are much more likely to find a low quality and unhealthy dog on craigslist or a newspaper. Contact the American West Highland Terrier Club, they may be able to help you find a quality breeder in your area. Be prepared for an ownership application and a homecheck though, as al quality breeders want to know what kind of home their pups are going to.

Good luck with your search for your dog. Hopefully I have helped you. :)

How Would a Westie Be With Big Dogs?

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

I have two German Shepherds and my mom wants to know if a Westie would be good with them. Thanx a bunch

Westies are generally pretty fiesty, so a bigger dog that’s used to little dogs shouldn’t be a problem. A good idea would be to take your shepherds to a dog park and see how they intereact with smaller dogs, adn have a friend with a small dog bring the og to your house. It’s important to see how they react to a smaller dog being on their turf. If they seem okay, then ask the breeder which particular pup would be best with bigger dogs, and get everyone used to one another slowly. If you must keep them spereate, keep the new dog in one room and let the others have run of their house so they don’t feel like the new dog is upstaging them.

good luck!

Is a Raw Food Diet for Westie Adult Dog Safe and Healthy?

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

I started researching the BARF diet after my dog got sick and I have decided to stop or at least start weaning my dog Bob off of store bought dog food.

The comments I’m finding are mixed, while a large amount say it is a good idea there are a handful that say it’s not healthy.

Is it? Would Bob, my two year old (almost three) Westie be healthier on a raw food diet or would I be doing him more harm?

Feeding raw is the natural way for a dog to eat. Think about it – commercial dog food is a relatively new invention; people have had dogs as pets for hundreds of years before there was dog food.

As long as you’re researching it and feeding it correctly, its absolutely healthy. Even vets are on board with feeding raw now – my vet’s office sells raw food.

How Often Should I Walk My Westie?

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

My westie is twelve weeks old and I have been attempting to take him for atleast one half an hour walk a day but he has now been acting stubborn and refusing to move whilst crying when I try to walk him.
Am I walking him for too long/not long enough or is he just being stubborn?

Thank you :)

He’s only very young, 12 weeks, make sure all inoculations have been covered.

Also, up to 20-30 minutes, he’s only very young.

You need to first train heel. He needs to heel at home and then in the garden, then outside.

Get him used to the lead by showing him and putting it on during the day, when you sense discomfort you can remove it.

How to heel;

http://information.i-love-dogs.com/dog-articles/dog-training/3659.html

straight forward

What Is the Best Medium or Large Dog Breed to Get That Will Get Along With a Westie Highland White Terrier?

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

I already have a westie, what medium or large sized dog would get along with her. Whats the best one?

Very vague question… Do you want a high energy, high prey drive, high defense driven dog or a more mellow dog? Don’t go for breeds because of their looks, go for a dog whos personality best suites your lifestyle.