how are the behaviors of west highland terriers & Skye terriers and are they loud like a chihuahua & do they train easy?
Terriers tend to be a little more independent and this makes them more difficult to train. They take a lot of patience and consistency. Also, they aren't as high pitched as a Chi, but yes, they do bark. They tend to bark more out of boredom, but if you keep them exercised, they are less likely to bark (like any breed). I would do a lot of research and make sure that they fit your life style and you are willing to put in a little more work. I know a few Westies and they can be naughty 
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Terriers tend to be a little more independent and this makes them more difficult to train. They take a lot of patience and consistency. Also, they aren't as high pitched as a Chi, but yes, they do bark. They tend to bark more out of boredom, but if you keep them exercised, they are less likely to bark (like any breed). I would do a lot of research and make sure that they fit your life style and you are willing to put in a little more work. I know a few Westies and they can be naughty
References :
I have a Westie at home who is turning 8 in May. We thought she didn't bark.. at 7 months old, we never heard her bark. Asked the vet and he said "ohhh… she knows how to bark, don't worry". Sure enough, she saw the squirrels in our yard soon after and started ALL DAY LONG barking at those rodents. She's not too yappy in the house, but certain things annoy her. She barks at the TV when animals are on the screen, barks at the TV when she hears a doorbell (not our actual doorbell tho, weird huh?), barks every so often for no apparent reason. They are extremely intelligent dogs and very independent. If you're looking for a lap dog, the Westie breed might not be the ideal choice. From personal experience, she was soooo easy to train although from other owners at the dog park I have heard they are stubborn. They are stubborn, but our girl made one accident in the house when she was a puppy and that was it! Not one time after that. I have friends with Westies who are 3 years old and still have accidents every so often. We have a dog door and have never crate trained our dogs.
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West Highland Terrier owner of 7 1/2 years.
West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White is cheerful, bold, assertive, courageous, inquisitive and has a great deal of personality. The Westie needs to get involved in everything that is happening in the home. The Westie is easier to handle and friendlier than many other terriers but still needs his daily walks and play sessions. Westies will try and dominate dogs of the same sex but otherwise get along better with other dogs and cats than most terriers. However the Westie still has its hunting prey drive and will pursue any small animals and rodents. Therefore this breed shouldn’t be let off leash except in a fenced enclosed area. The Westie does fine with older children but few will tolerate mauling by young children and they are very possessive of their toys and food. Westies are clever but somewhat stubborn like most terriers and can become demanding if spoiled. They also can become diggers and barkers unless controlled. Westies respond well to positive discipline and training that uses praise and food rewards. Westies are sociable toward strangers but will bark to announce their arrival. West Highland Whites make good watchdogs and do fine with first-time owners.
Westies
Pros
Is small, yet sturdy and tough — not a delicate lapdog
Has a natural appearance
Needs only moderate exercise
Makes a keen watchdog
Doesn't shed too much
Is easier to handle, friendlier with strangers, more amenable to training, and more tolerant of other pets than most terriers are
Cons
The dynamic terrier temperament (see full description below)
Providing enough exercise and activities to keep them busy
Aggression toward other animals — chasing instincts
Stubbornness
Digging holes
Barking
Regular brushing and clipping of the wiry coat
A considerable number of health problems
Skye Terrier
Pro
Is a "big dog with short legs" i.e. built low to the ground, but with a robust body, heavy bone, and a strong temperament
Is an unusual-looking terrier — powerful yet stylish and elegant — with a long flowing coat
Can be vigorous and athletic, but is also calmer, more serious, and more introspective than most terriers
Needs only moderate exercise
Makes a determined watchdog
Cons
One of the most self-willed and independent of the terriers
Suspiciousness/sharpness toward strangers in some lines, or when not socialized enough
Aggression toward other animals — chasing instincts
High coat maintenance (brushing or trimming)
Waiting lists (very hard to find) and a high price tag
References :
http://www.petstorecruelty.org/
http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/animal_adoption/adoption_myths.php
http://www.raot.org/information/10_reasons_to_adopt_an_older_dog.htm
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/how_to_find_a_good_dog_breeder/
http://dogs.about.com/cs/generalcare/a/breeder_flags.htm
Westie Terriers have bright, deep-set eyes which tend to be dark, with a "piercing" look. Their ears are generally small, pointed, and erect.[3]
They typically weigh from 15 to 20 lbs for male dogs and 13 to 16 lbs for female dogs and their average height is 9 to 11 inches (28 cm) at the withers.[3] The Kennel Club has recommended that their tails, typically "carrot-shaped", should never be docked.[4] The tail should be between 5-6 inches.[3]
They also have deep chests, muscular limbs, a huge skull, a short and a closely fitted jaw with "scissors" bite (lower canines locked in front of upper canines, upper incisors locked over lower incisors).[5] Their teeth generally appear quite large for the size of the dog.[3][5] Westies have a very strong bone structure for their size.[5]
They have a soft, dense undercoat and a rough outer coat, about 2 inches long, that requires regular grooming.[3] Some Westies have "wheaten tippings" on their backs, though for individuals put forward for conformation showing this can be regarded as undesirable.[5]
This breed is a non-shedding dog.
Their paws are slightly webbed and thickly padded.[3]
A "smiling" Westie.
[edit] Care
Westies are prone to allergies and dry skin issues, and bathing too frequently may aggravate these problems. Washing once a month or on a longer interval will generally not cause issues. However, frequent brushings are needed to keep the coat clean and oils evenly distributed throughout the coat. Washing with a detergent-free, baby-oriented, or another soft skin shampoo will help keep a Westie's skin hydrated. Weekly washing of the inside of the ears with cotton balls will prevent oil and wax build-up and ear infections.If water gets inside its ears you must extract it before infection. Groom at least every two months. Between grooming appointments, bathe and brush as needed.
[edit] Health
Like most other dogs, these terriers generally require 13 hours of sleep out of every 24. Westies will usually conform to the sleep patterns of their human companions, and take several naps during the day as well, to accrue their needed sleep.
West Highland White Terrier puppies may be affected by a disease known as craniomandibular osteopathy, known colloquially as "Lion Jaw". The disease is an autosomal recessive condition such that for a puppy to be affected by the disease, both the parents must be carriers of the faulty gene. With this disease, the only current way to identify carrier breeding stock is if an affected puppy is produced. Therefore, breeders may be unaware that breeding stock are carriers until an affected puppy is born.
Craniomandibular osteopathy is a non-neoplastic proliferative disease of the ventral mandibular ramus, occipital base of the skull and tympanic bullae, characterised by excessive bone deposition in these areas. In most incidences, the defect is bilateral, although this is not always the case. The disease varies in severity, the region(s) affected and the individual pain threshold of the affected puppy. Definitive diagnosis is achieved by radiographic examination.
Craniomandibular osteopathy is extremely painful to the puppy. Affected puppies will most likely display signs of pain or discomfort, such as yelping, when their head is touched and when chewing or eating. The puppy may be lethargic and be reluctant to eat as a result.
The condition usually manifests when the puppy is around 3-6 months of age, and regresses spontaneously around 12 months of age. Treatment of the disease is concerned with managing the symptoms and providing appropriate analgesia to improve quality of life and enable the puppy to eat until the disease resolves spontaneously. Corticosteroids are the usual therapeutic agents used to manage the disease. The exact treatment protocol depends on the severity, localisation and pain sensitivity of the affected puppy. In extreme cases, euthanasia may be required.
[edit] History
They originated in the Highlands of western Scotland, hence the name.
Westie wearing the Clan Campbell tartan of the Duke of Argyll (with a kilted companion)Westies are descended from Cairn Terriers, who occasionally whelped white puppies naturally, and Scottish Terriers, who also occasionally produced white offspring. White offspring from other terriers such as the Bedlington Terrier and Dandie Dinmont Terrier were occasionally introduced to the bloodline for desired characteristics, but this practice generally stopped in the 1850s.
Some sources also credit Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm and his kin of Poltalloch in the Argyll region of western Scotland as an originator of this breed in the 1800s. Other sources credit the 8th Duke of Argyll (Chieftain of Clan Campbell) as an originator of the breed. However, there may have been some cooperation between the two gentlemen. It may have taken as long as a hundred years of selective breeding to produce all the desired qualities. Their white coat m
References :
West Highland *WHITE* Terriers……are WHITE require LOTZ of grooming=HAND STRIPPED=are terriers ,are TRIPLE & more the size of chi's therefore LOUDER when untrained.,…a dime-a -dozen
Skyes are bigger yet…….TONS of coat to groom….nasty as cats piss VERY hard to find…very pricey
Training *ALWAYS* depends on the humans ability
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