Grooming
It’s up to you to decide what kind of hairstyle your Westie will have. While they tend to shed less than other breeds, their overall grooming needs can tip toward the higher end of the scale. That quintessential Westie look, for example—the one you see at dog shows with fluffy fur around the legs and shorter on the back and tail with fluffy facial hair—will take more time and energy to maintain. Grooming a Westie to have this traditional look involves hand stripping once a month, which removes the dead topcoat to make room for new growth, and retains the Westie’s hard, coarse coat. Alternatively, you can take your Westie for a spa day every four to six weeks for grooming, which will result in a softer, curlier coat. Pet parents also have the option of forgoing the show-dog look and keeping their Westie’s coat trimmed short.
Regardless of which look you ultimately decide to go with, regular brushing with a pin brush is still required at least two or three times a week, though daily brushing is ideal. With their hard, thick coats, a Westie needs a bath every four to six weeks (or whenever they get really dirty!), and their nails should be trimmed every two weeks. And don’t forget their teeth! Daily toothbrushing is recommended for Westies to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease. Start them when they’re puppies so they get used to the feeling, and remember to schedule an annual visit with your vet for a professional cleaning.
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Training
Training is an excellent way to bond with your Westie and provide them with both mental and physical stimulation and help reign in some of their more impulsive tendencies. It does, however, require patience and persistence.
Westie intelligence makes them easy to train, but their independent nature and strong prey drive can sometimes derail training sessions. For this reason, it’s important to train your Westie in a quiet location free from distractions, like a fenced backyard. If you’re out at a park with kids, squirrels and other interesting things running by, that strong prey drive will kick in and your Westie will quickly forget all about training.
Even when distractions are minimized, you may still struggle to hold your Westie’s attention during training sessions. With their spunky confidence, Westies think they should be in charge. When this happens, gently refocus their attention to the task at hand. You may need to be firm, but you should never resort to harsh training methods; positive reinforcement with yummy treats and praise always works best.
For the best results, begin training your West Highland White Terrier puppy as soon as you bring them home; 8 weeks old isn’t too early to start! And training sessions should become part of your daily routine. If you need help with training, look for a certified dog trainer in your area who’s worked with terrier group types in the past and can teach you some Westie dog 101.
Even though this pup is naturally friendly, you still need to start socializing your Westie with new people and other dogs while they’re puppies to bring out all those wonderful qualities. Take your pup on leashed walks and allow them to meet new friends, both two- and four-legged. And enroll your dog in puppy preschool, so they learn to play nicely with other puppies and meet new people all in one location.
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Diet
West Highland White Terriers aren’t picky eaters, and they do well on high-quality commercial dog food. Just make sure the food you choose is nutritionally complete and balanced and appropriate for their life stage (puppy, adult, senior). Look on the label for a statement indicating the food meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards.
You should also select a food that’s appropriate for your dog’s age, weight and activity level. Older dogs need less fat and protein than growing puppies (and fewer calories, too!). If you feed puppy food to an adult dog, they’ll end up obese, which can cause a host of other health problems. And don’t forget about dog treats! Those count toward the Westie’s daily caloric intake.
If you’re not sure what or how much to feed your West Highland White Terrier, consult your veterinarian. They are in the best position to help you choose the right food and feeding plan for your pup’s individual needs.
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Exercise
The West Highland White Terrier has a high energy level, but their exercise needs are easily met. They’re typically content with daily 30-minute walks, as long as they’re given plenty of opportunity to sniff and investigate. (Some may call them nosy, but Westies prefer to call it “interested in life.”) But make sure they’re on leash if not in an enclosed space; if a critter wanders by, those hunting instincts will kick in, and they’ll take off after it. And with their surprisingly fast speed, it could take a while before you finally catch up.
Westies also love to romp around and play. That strong desire to chase can often be channeled into a hearty game of fetch (though your arm will likely tire out before your dog does). Dog sports and dog shows are another great outlet for the Westie’s abundant energy; they tend to excel at events like agility and rally (which tests their obedience skills), too.
If you don’t give them the exercise they need, they’ll find their own entertainment. They may chase small animals, dig in your yard or just bark their heads off. Dog sports that play to their nature, like barn hunts and earthdog competitions are ideal. (Earthdog is where dogs hunt for small critters underground—but don’t worry; the critters are kept safe from the dogs.) You may also want to fill a kiddie pool with sand to give your dog an “approved” place to dig to their hearts content.
With their amazing intellect, don’t forget to engage their brains to keep them stimulated. Teach them new tricks like play dead, shake and roll over and play games like hide-and-seek to get them working their minds. You can also leave a few puzzle toys around the house for them to solve and get a yummy treat as their reward.
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Environment
West Highland White Terriers can thrive in a variety of settings, but only when provided with outlets for their abundant energy and strong intellect. Pet parents must commit to daily training and exercise, or your Westie will end up ruling the roost.
While they are highly energetic, the exercise needs for this dog can be kept in check with robust daily walks and yard or park exercise. While they’d certainly enjoy romping around in a large backyard (who doesn’t?), it’s not required; Westies can be perfectly content in either an apartment or single-family home. The only challenge with apartment living is the Westie’s tendency to bark, something your neighbors might not enjoy.
When properly trained and socialized, Westies make great family dogs, especially with older kids. The Westie breed has a strong desire to chase prey, so they might end up chasing your kids and cats unless they’re taught good canine behavior at an early age. Children in the household also might need a bit of training; people assume all small dogs like to be picked up and coddled, but not the Westie. If a child (or any other person) insists on handling them against the Westie’s will, your dog may react.
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