Westie for sale

Westie for sale: breed  

To say that the West Highland White Terrier or Westie, as it is affectionately called, is a "big dog in a small dog's body" does it no justice. It's not pushy or temperamental and doesn't have to challenge or demand. He is not stubborn so much as interested in what's in it for him. Convince him that what you want is in his best interest, and he'll jump right on board with your plan.

Originally developed for hunting and rats, the Westie learned to think for himself, a trait he still enjoys indulging in today (although there will undoubtedly be times when you might not enjoy it as much). The instinct to work is now usually channeled into agility and obedience competitions, rather than getting rid of rodents. They also work as therapy dogs and many have even joined search and rescue teams.

However, for the most part, the West Highland White Terrier is a companion and enriches his family's life with his silly antics and love of life. It is a social dog that gets along well with everyone, including strangers and is not a one-person dog. It is affectionate with children of all ages and is comfortable around older children. It gets along with other dogs in public environments and thrives positively in homes with multiple dogs. He can adapt to cats, despite chasing them from time to time, will usually settle in nicely with friendly kitties. It cannot, however, adapt with small free-running animals such as rabbits or gerbils.

The Westie is happy in any type of situation and will do well in the country or the city. He should live with his family, but not outside. He is an excellent apartment resident if properly exercised and trained not to bark. He is happy to stay home while you are at work and with proper stimulation and safety precautions is fine on his own during the work day. In addition, he is also a quiet traveler.

West Highland White Terriers can be easily trained. He is an intelligent learner, and training will amuse him as long as he remains positive and consistent. You're wasting your time using harsh corrections.

The Westie will bark alerts when he sees or hears anything suspicious and will notify visitors, postmen and dogs walking in front of the house. In other words, he can be quite noisy. But with proper training from an early age, he can be taught to bark once when he sees or hears something.

A popular breed, the Westie can be affectionate and loyal, but still has enough independence and self-confidence that it doesn't need to be pampered. He makes a wonderful companion for an inexperienced owner. With his easy nature, intelligent eyes and fun-loving personality, the Westie can melt even the coldest of hearts.

Generally a calm dog when indoors, the Westie will often turn into something different. He loves to play games, fling stuffed toys, or simply roam the yard sniffing and investigating. And while he may enjoy digging, it seems to be an acquired passion. (With proper training and redirecting him whenever you catch him in the act, this habit can be stopped.) Although he doesn't require as much exercise as some breeds, expect to walk him once or twice a day to keep him happy and healthy.

However, the Westie is not meant to live outside. He does best in the house, although he's not really a dog to always sit on your lap. He can watch the household while you're at work; although some may suffer from separation anxiety, it's not a common trait in this breed. Just give him toys and safe but fun activities to keep him from getting bored.

Westie for sale: brief history

The West Highland White terrier shares a history with that of the Dandie Dinmont terrier, Skye terrier, Scottish terrier and Cairn terrier, all of which are considered branches of the same breed. The West Highland White terrier originated in Scotland and was used for fox, badger and otter hunting and killing rats.

There isn't much evidence to establish the exact history of the West Highland White terrier, but many believe the breed can be traced back to the 17th century when James I of Argyllshire presented a small dog to the King of France.

According to the breed, the Westie's white color resulted from a tragic 19th-century accident that occurred while Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch was chasing a fox. The Colonel accidentally shot and killed one of his wheat-colored dogs. Devastated and determined to prevent such accidents in the future, he decided to breed only white dogs that could not be mistaken for foxes.

The West Highland White Terrier has been known by several names, including Poltalloch Terrier and Roseneath Terrier, but was officially recognized by the Kennel Club of England as the West Highland White Terrier in 1906.

Westie for sale: size

The West Highland White Terrier is a sturdy, deep-chested puppy with a slightly rectangular shape. Males are about 28 cm tall and usually weigh between 7 and 10 kg; females are about 25 cm tall and weigh 6-8 kg.

Westie for sale: personality

The West Highland White Terrier is a bold, confident, fun-loving, intelligent dog that can find joy in life's simplest pleasures such as squeaky toys, a belly rub and food. His happy disposition and love of life make him a favorite with many, despite his mischievousness. He is friendly and gets along with everyone and likes to be part of your family. Rarely starts a fight, but he is after all a terrier, so he won't walk away from one. Same-sex aggression around other dogs is not uncommon, although females tend to be more alpha than males.

Westie for sale: health

Westies are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. Not all dogs will have any of these diseases, but it is important to be aware of them if you are considering this breed.

If you are buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you the health records of the puppy's parents. Health certificates prove that a dog has been tested and recovered from a specific condition.

• Cranio-mandibular osteopathy: This condition affects the bones of the skull while a puppy is growing, causing them to expand irregularly. Symptoms usually appear between four and eight months of age. The cause is unknown, but it is thought to be hereditary. Often the puppy's jaw and glands will be swollen and it will be unable to open its mouth. He will drool excessively, have a fluctuating fever that recurs every two weeks and in some cases his muscles may atrophy. There is no cure, but anti-inflammatories and painkillers help the dog cope with this painful condition. Proper feeding is a must; in severe cases, a feeding tube may be necessary. Irregular bone growth slows and usually stops once the puppy turns a year old. The lesions may regress, but a few dogs have permanent jaw problems and therefore have trouble eating. Occasional cases are serious enough to require jaw surgery.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: If your Westie has Legg-Perthes, the blood supply to the head of the femur (the large bone of the hind legs) is decreased, and the head of the femur that connects to the pelvis begins to disintegrate. The first symptoms, limb and leg muscle atrophy, usually appear when puppies are four to six months old. Surgery can correct the condition, usually resulting in a pain-free puppy.
• Cataracts: This common eye condition causes opacity on the lens of the eye, resulting in poor vision. The dog's eye will have a cloudy appearance. Cataracts usually occur in old age and can sometimes be surgically removed to improve vision. West Highland White Terriers are usually affected by juvenile cataracts.
• Pulmonary fibrosis: Also known as lung disease, this disease scarring of the supporting tissue in the air sac and connective tissue of the lungs. This causes the lungs to lose their elasticity, which prevents oxygen from passing normally into the bloodstream. Symptoms differ from dog to dog. Pulmonary fibrosis can also lead to heart failure and other diseases. There is no cure and the prognosis is always uncertain, so prevention is critical. Preventing any respiratory infections, limiting exercise and maintaining a healthy weight (or losing weight in overweight dogs) is essential. The disease is sometimes treated by keeping the temperature low in the house and using bronchial dilators. Treatment is more successful if the disease is diagnosed earlier.
• Patellar luxation: This is a common problem in small dogs that occurs when the patella, which has three parts – the femur (thigh bone), kneecap and tibia, is not aligned properly. This causes a limp or abnormal gait. It is a condition that is present at birth, although the actual dislocation does not always appear until much later. The friction caused by patellar luxation can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease. There are four degrees of patellar luxation, ranging from grade I, an occasional dislocation that causes temporary dislocation of the joint, to grade IV, in which the tibia is severely out of place and the patella cannot be manually realigned. Severe degrees of patellar luxation may require surgery.

Westie for sale: care

Housebreaking is beneficial and is a way to make sure your Westie doesn't make accidents in the house or get into things they shouldn't. A kennel is also a place where he can retreat for a nap. Never put your pet in a kennel all day. It's not a kennel, and he shouldn't be in it for more than a few hours other than when he sleeps at night. Some like to swim, but should be supervised at all times.

Westie for sale: feeding

Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food per day, divided into two meals. Keep your westie from gaining weight by measuring his food and feeding twice a day. Some dogs have delicate digestive systems and can be finicky. Feeding problems can occur if they have problems with their teeth or gums. If your pooch shows discomfort when eating or after eating, take him to the vet to have him checked. Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on size, age, build, metabolism and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like humans, and they don't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that an extremely active dog will need more food compared to a less active one. The quality of the dog food you buy also makes a difference - the better the food, the more nutrients and satiety it will provide, without you having to constantly check the bowl.

Westie for sale: fur color and maintenance

The Westie has a double coat that protects it from the elements. Of course, the white one should always be white. Any other color is considered a mistake.

Its coat is easy to care for and requires regular brushing and trimming. Trimming is usually needed on the legs and around the ears and eyes. The hair on his head is often plucked to produce that definitive round shape you see in show dogs.

The coat stays fairly clean and he only needs to be bathed when necessary. To keep that shiny white coat, the Westie requires cleaning and may need to be wiped, sometimes frequently.

Check his ears once a week for dirt, redness or a bad odor that may indicate an infection. Also wipe them weekly with a damp cotton cloth with a gentle, PH-balanced ear wash to prevent problems.

Westie for sale: relationship with children and other animals

The West Highland White Terrier is a loving dog that is good with older children. But he must have adult supervision around children, especially younger ones. Some breed books have emphasized how well the Westie gets along with children, so breed clubs recommend that all children in a Westie's home be older than seven years of age. If the child and dog are properly supervised, the Westie can do well with children of all ages.

A West Highland White Terrier gets along well with other dogs. He can adapt to cats, but this is easier if he has been bred with them, rather than adapting to a later introduction. If you want any small pets, including rabbits or birds, this is not the right breed.