pets

West Highland White Terrier

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Description: Commonly known as the Westie, this adorable little dog has a lovely straight white coat, small erect ears and a black button nose, with dark eyes to match. Despite their sweet appearance, this is a country dog, a terrier, breed to hunt fox and badger.

Characteristics: The West Highland White Terrier is a cheerful extrovert, always ready for fun and games. A wonderful blend of an affectionate cuddly lap dog and hardy robust companion that can keep up to all but the most active of owners. They can go from happily being snuggled in your lap to doing a long rugged hike in the blink of an eye.
They do well in the city or country, house or apartment as long as given adequate exercise and fits well into a family environment as they are usually very playful and loving with children. Some can live quite well with other dogs and cats, others can’t, most are scrappy with strange dogs and none should be trusted around small pets like rodents and rabbits. Early and ongoing socialization with other dogs can help curb aggression problems.
The Westie is a fine choice for those getting their first dog, they can be a bit stubborn and independent but is intelligent and trains easily. This dog is loyal and dedicated to a family and makes a good barking watchdog.

Origins: The West Highland White Terrier originated from Argyle Scotland. They got official recognition in 1905 when the first West Highland breed club was formed. Related to the Cairn and the Skye Terriers.

Special needs: West Highland White Terriers are prone to dry skin and allergies. Bathing more than once every month or so is not recommended. Regular brushing is also very important as not only does it keep them neat and tidy but it helps to spread natural oils throughout the coat. They also need weekly ear cleanings so they don’t get ear infections. Should be professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks.

Highlights:
- The West Highland is a no shedding breed so may be a good choice for allergy suffers.
- Usual life span is 12-17 years.
- The Westie is an excellent hunter of vermin.
- An enthusiastic digger and care should be taken when leaving unattended in the yard, they can quickly dig under fences and be gone before you know it.

For more pet tips visit http://www.ourbestfriend.com

Our Best Friend is a collection of helpful articles and reviews to help you choose the right pet for you.
We match people and pets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Timms
http://EzineArticles.com/?West-Highland-White-Terrier&id=4616587

Itchy Dog – Natural Treatment Concepts for the West Highland White Terrier

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Many owners of West Highland White Terriers with atopic dermatitis or other allergic skin disease are desperate to find help. These dogs can be very expensive to treat constantly with traditional veterinary therapy. Side effects to long term use of corticosteroids are common. A lot of dog owners are turning to other ways to help their itchy dog. There is a minefield of unqualified advice on snake oil solutions and products that do not work.

Atopic Dermatitis is a genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features. It is associated most commonly with IgE antibodies to environmental allergens. Old school thought was that the environmental allergens were inhaled. Recent breakthroughs in understanding the cause of allergic skin disease in West Highland White Terriers include the transdermal entry of environmental allergens. It is now recognised that allergens are ingested, inhaled and that the allergens also cross the skin barrier which is sphingosine deficient in the ceramide layer.

This important concept has opened windows for natural treatment to be of huge benefit. Many of the shampoos that are prescribed for this itchy skin condition are in fact detrimental. Natural shampoo is important because it prevents damage to the ceramide of the outer skin barrier. There are some natural treatments that will help repair the faulty skin barrier as well.

Natural treatment also involves avoiding skin flare factors. It is possible to minimise exposure to dust mites and pollen. It is possible to remove pollen from the skin using natural treatment. This helps alleviate the itch scratch cycle. Natural treatment that minimises water loss from the skin is the present approach for holistic therapy It is important to use the correct therapies or pyoderma of the skin will result.

For a FREE “Home Diagnosis Manual to the itchy dog” and information on natural treatment that really stops your dog itching and scratching go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

For more information on treating the itchy scratching dog the natural way and to find out how to stop the itch go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com/treating_itchy_dogs.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_T_Hill
http://EzineArticles.com/?Itchy-Dog—Natural-Treatment-Concepts-for-the-West-Highland-White-Terrier&id=5289357

Teach Your Dogs Good Manners Using Dog Bark Collars

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Teach Your Dogs Good Manners Using Dog Bark Collars

Your dog is no longer a puppy and he no longer has that cute little yip that was so cute. Now he is full-grown and barks at every little sound or movement, especially at night. If you and others in your family are bothered by the constant barking, imagine how your neighbors feel. Angry neighbors can do many things, even to report this situation to local authorities. In many countries you may be forced to bark train your dog or else legal authorities can take your dog away. Telling your dog “No!” has not worked and neither has anything else you have tried. For all those people who find themselves in such a situation, nowadays the Dog Bark Collars are on the market.

Contrary to the opinion of many, collars of this type do not hurt dogs. They don’t know these collars are powered by two small, penlight type batteries that cannot deliver too strong shocks. The shocks can be just strong enough to draw your dog’s attention when you command him or her to stop barking. As part of his job, a dog should warn you about stranger presences, so barking is appropriate at times and you should allow your dog to bark then. You can either put the collar around the neck of your dog only during times that he should not be barking, or just turn it on at those times. Soon he will learn that when the collar is on, he is not to bark.

These dog bark collars are equipped with electronic devices and they can detect and measure the intensity and duration of your dog’s bark, and can be set to deliver warning buzzes or shocks if specific levels are over passed. This discourages the dog from barking after being shocked just two or three times. If you remember the static electric shock you felt when rubbing some synthetic textile and then touching any metal object, they were similar to the electric shocks these collars can deliver. If you consider that using an electronic dog bark collar to train your dog not to bark when it is not allowed is inhumane then what would you say when you will be forced to get rid of your pet?

You will be both, dog and owner, more contented after your pet will learn to stop barking when it is not permitted. Just be sure the collar is put on when barking is not to be allowed and taken off when your dog is allowed to bark. You may this way enjoy your relax times. So will your neighbors.

Choose the collar to fit to your dog. You can find Dog Bark Collars for any breed and size of your dog. Bigger breeds seem to bark less than the smaller ones. Once you have the right size, fit it on your dog so the electronic device fit snug against the dog but is not too tight. Fit properly, the collar will be comfortable.

If you are concerned about the safety of the dog bark collars, just try one. You will see that they are not harmful at all. They are clearly safer than an angry neighbor. Get one today and the whole neighborhood will thank you tomorrow.

Dog Bark Collars are used to teachn dogs proper barking times. All the neighborhoob may this way enjoy relax times. There are Dog Bark Collars to fit to any dog.

West Highland White Terrier – Success Tips for Training

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

The West Highland Terrier is a friendly dog, and is considered easier to handle and train than other terriers, such as the Scottish Terrier. Still, it possesses the bold, dynamic terrier temperament, and has to be trained in a manner appropriate for the breed.

Your West Highland Terrier training begins from the moment you bring your terrier home. Westies are stubborn and clever, and considered a bit naughty. They will become demanding and ill tempered if they do not get their way, so you must teach them from the start that you are in charge. From the beginning, treat your terrier in a firm, consistent way.

Terrier puppies, like all very young dogs, should be trained in short sessions of five minutes or less. Make the training session play for both you and your terrier. Generously reward your dog with praise. They are also known to react well to food training.

Your Westie will become confused if you lash out at its misbehavior, particularly if you continue to be angry after the behavior has stopped. Your little terrier wants to please you, and by consistently rewarding the behavior you wish to promote, you will encourage it to become part of the dog’s personality.

Like the Scottish Terrier, and other terrier breeds, Westies are barkers. Barking is a dog’s natural way to communicate a variety of feelings from happiness, to anxiety, to boredom. The terrier breeds, though, are quicker to bark than other dogs.

The most natural reaction by dog owners is to yell at your terrier to stop barking. This is exactly the WRONG thing to do. Your dog hears the loud voice as a sort of human bark, and it only reinforces the behavior. The key is to remain calm, verbally and physically, and diffuse the terrier’s excited emotional state. Say ‘no bark’ in a calm but firm tone. Never forget to reward the dog when the barking stops.

West Highland Terriers are clever, active dogs, and they will sometimes bark out of boredom. Be sure to provide your dog with walks and appropriate play to stimulate their minds and bodies. You can divert their attention with a chew toy that can be stuffed with a food treat.

Other concerns common to West Highland Terrier training, as well as Scotties and other terrier breeds, are digging, chasing, and aggressive behavior. These little dogs were never bred to be pets, but rather to hunt down and kill vermin.

Never encourage your terrier’s natural behavior by engaging in aggressive play. It is difficult for your Westie to distinguish that gnawing and nipping are all right during play, but not at other times.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson

Discover the FREE 5 Day Westie Secrets Mini-Course to learn about your West Highland Terrier. This course won’t be available for ever. Go NOW to: Mad About Westies

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Cuckson
http://EzineArticles.com/?West-Highland-White-Terrier—-Success-Tips-For-Training&id=36318

How Long Do West Highland White Terriers or Westies Live?

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

How long do Westies live? I was out for a walk with my son Jonathan and Pepper our Westie Dog by the sea shore where we live. I met a neighbour called John who I hadn’t seen for ages. I was very surprised to see him on his own because he has a black Labrador and the 2 of them are inseparable.

Naturally I enquired about Barney and his face dropped. I knew something was terribly wrong. His reply was that he had to put Barney down because he had developed cancer and it had come on so quickly. He didn’t want his friend to suffer.

I said to John that I was so sorry. He knew that I meant it as all dog lovers do. After all it is the passing of one of your family. Non dog owners can’t understand and I feel that they are the losers of such love and loyalty.

The news hurt Jonathan because he always would play with Barney and make such a fuss of him.

It got me to thinking how long our Pepper would live to. The Westie in general should live to around 15 years if probably looked after and also if no serious health issue arise.

He is now 6 years and I still can’t believe he is that old. Maybe it’s a sign of me getting old, because my kids seemed to have grown up in the blink of an eye.

I give Pepper a big hug when I got home and he got a couple of extra treats also. Don’t want to take him for granted and will monitor his health checks with the proper grooming for the west highland terrier He always looks like a little puppy again, every time he returns from the groomers. Have to also start building up the westie photos again.

So for all dog lovers, please remember to give your pet a hug today

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

Jeff Cuckson
——————————————————————–
Discover the FREE 5 Day Westie Secrets Mini-Course to learn about your West Highland Terrier. This course won’t be available for ever. Go NOW to: Mad About Westies
———————————————————————

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Cuckson
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Long-Do-West-Highland-White-Terriers-Or-Westies-Live?&id=628348

PETsMART “Snow Pets”

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

When consumers were confusing the advertising for PetSmart – the world’s largest pet retailer – with smaller competitive pet stores, the Jones team was called in to help. Under Jones strategic and creative direction, the PetsMart “red ball” – an underutilized part of PetsMart’s logo – was called into action as a low price icon in promotional ads, and as a clear brand identifier in image ads (like the Silver Telly award winning Snowpets TV ad featured here). The red ball was used in broadcast and print advertising as well as point-of-sale materials. It has continued to be an anchor within PetsMarts brand identity years later.

Duration : 0:0:36

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Really Funny Westie Puppies

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

my sister’s pups molly and leila playing!
check out my other vids please!

Duration : 0:1:2

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Top Dog Breeds as Puppies

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Hi, Thanks for watching my Video!

This is Just about the top 20 dog breeds in Britain (as of 2006 Kennel club registrations). I decided to get pictures of the dogs as puppies mainly for the extra cute factor ;)

Here is the list:

1. Retriever (Labrador) 45,700
2. Spaniel (Cocker) 20,459
3. Spaniel (English Springer) 15,133
4. German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian) 12,857
5. Staffordshire Bull Terrier 12,729
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 11,411
7. Retriever (Golden) 9,373
8. West Highland White Terrier 9,300
9. Boxer 9,066
10. Border Terrier 8,916
11. Rottweiler 6,575
12. Shih Tzu 4,436
13. Miniature Schnauzer 4,396
14. Lhasa Apso 4,154
15. Yorkshire Terrier 4,042
16. Bulldog 3,522
17. Dobermann 3,388
18. Bull Terrier 3,361
19. Weimaraner 2,744
20. Pug 2,681

The labrador got twice as much as the runner up, English Cocker Spaniel! Wow.
*Of course these are only based on dogs actually registered*

Duration : 0:3:47

(more…)

Top Dog Breeds as Puppies

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Hi, Thanks for watching my Video!

This is Just about the top 20 dog breeds in Britain (as of 2006 Kennel club registrations). I decided to get pictures of the dogs as puppies mainly for the extra cute factor ;)

Here is the list:

1. Retriever (Labrador) 45,700
2. Spaniel (Cocker) 20,459
3. Spaniel (English Springer) 15,133
4. German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian) 12,857
5. Staffordshire Bull Terrier 12,729
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 11,411
7. Retriever (Golden) 9,373
8. West Highland White Terrier 9,300
9. Boxer 9,066
10. Border Terrier 8,916
11. Rottweiler 6,575
12. Shih Tzu 4,436
13. Miniature Schnauzer 4,396
14. Lhasa Apso 4,154
15. Yorkshire Terrier 4,042
16. Bulldog 3,522
17. Dobermann 3,388
18. Bull Terrier 3,361
19. Weimaraner 2,744
20. Pug 2,681

The labrador got twice as much as the runner up, English Cocker Spaniel! Wow.
*Of course these are only based on dogs actually registered*

Duration : 0:3:47

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Westie Puppy for Sale

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Adorable video of westie pup by Storybook westies lynchburg ohio 937-364-6156

Duration : 0:0:39

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