Westies

the sooner you start training them to go outside the better

I want a westie and wondering how much exercise they need
in minutes

Westies are terriers so they do have a good amount of energy. Puppies of course having more so if you do get a baby westie then I would suggest one or two walks a day, several play times through out the day and a good run in the yard (or park if you don’t have a backyard).

Adult westies are a bit different. Even though they are still energetic they can be couch potatoes also. I would suggest maybe a walk a day (especially if you don’t have a backyard, or if your yard is small), a playtime during the day and just let them run round & chase squirrels in the backyard. That’s what we do with my six year old westie and have done wince my family & I have owned him since he was a year. We also have a huge backyard & have another dog that he is always playing with. Westies love to be outside, and my boy (Josh) HAS to be out with us whenever we even think about stepping outside.

They are great dogs! But please do your research on the breed so you know what to expect. Good luck!

i am just researching

Of course. Dogs are social animals and much prefer to be with 'their pack'. Nobody can be there 24/7, but all this leaving dogs alone during a working day that goes on now depresses me, never mind the dogs. Adults = 4 hours on their own max. and puppies 2, if on a regular basis.

Add – people who say their dogs sleep all day are not necessarily right. They sleep when they are content, when their owners are around. I have left a tape on when we have been out, and my hounds (who had company) moved around an amazing part of the time we were not there – when their pack members are gone, they are anxious, and don't always rest peacefully.

what is the price range of a westie?

Shelter: $150 or so (give or take)
Reputable Breeder: $750 – $1300 (in my area)
Back Yard Breeder: $500-$750 (give or take)

I have a 10 week old westie and everyday he has sleep gunk by his eyes and it looks messy.
Does anybody know the best way to keep it clean or to just clean it everyday?
I've been cleaning it with a rag but it is a lot of work because he moves a lot

At 10 weeks old your dog isn't going to like being fussed over, but you have to clean around his eyes anyway. He'll learn to trust you. I clean my westies eyes everyday with a tissue so that he doesn't get build up. He's five years old and he still doesn't like it, but he's used to it and doesn't move his head around. If you start to get stains, this is a strong indication of allergies. Ask your vet about this at your next visit and he/she will prescribe medicated eye drops.

If you notice a coppery brown color around the mouth, butt and/or paws this is an indication that your dog chews, or licks these areas. Westies are prone to allergies, licking and chewing is their way of alleviating the irritation.The saliva is what's causing the brown color. The vet can prescribe something for this too. Probably more than you wanted to know, but these are related issues and I thought I'd give you a heads up

Westies can have very independent attitudes. But they're great family dogs and really smart. They will learn things like where to go to the bathroom and how to act in the house pretty quickly, but .. training for things like formal competition obedience, they can be stubborn!!

So I guess, you'd need to be more specifc with your question. Just what is it you want to train a Westie to do? If you're wanting a fun little family dog that be playful and not destroy your house, yea, they can be trained for that pretty easily. If you're looking for a competition agility dog … that will take a LOT more work.

And deadgame has had little dog training experience if he thinks that training isn't breed specific. Some breeds ARE more people oriented and willing to please. That is a genetic trait.

I have a five month old westie who I brush daily but when do I take him for his first 'trim' session?
Plus, how do I get rid of those brown tear stains?

WHWT are HAND-STRIPPED -not clippered .
CLIPPERING *RUINS* that sort of coat.
COMB,not BRUSH!! COMB!
Shoulda been started months ago.