West Highland Terrier – Important Tips To Know When Choosing A Westie
Westies are fun-loving and energetic, and they have a sense of humor. There is no doubt that the West Highland White Terrier is a remarkable and versatile breed. To know more about them
1) Expect Westie Shows
2) Westie Club Meetings
3) Local kennel club meetings
4) Talk to local breeders and Westie owners
5) Be patient and never buy impulsively
Westies are beautiful animals that make good family pets and are good ground dogs. Westies can also work as hearing dogs, therapy dogs, and tracking dogs.
How much do Westie puppies cost?
The price of a companion quality Westie puppy varies significantly depending on where you live. The cost averages less than $100 per year, which isn’t much compared to the annual cost of maintaining a Westie.
Westies have small litters (the average is 3.5 puppies per litter). Stud fees, shipping, pre-breeding testing, veterinary expenses, occasional C-sections, vaccinations, feed and toys are expensive.
The money from the sale of the puppies does not cover all these expenses, much less the time invested in their good care and socialization. Young adults and rescue Westies cost considerably less and generally make wonderful pets.
Do Westies make good gifts?
Many people try to buy puppies as Christmas gifts for children or other family members. Most breeders do not recommend this. A better idea is to give Westie-related gifts, leashes, grooming tools, and then take your pup home when all the excitement has died down.
It’s usually not a good idea to surprise someone with a vivid gift, even if you’re sure the person wants a puppy and a Westie puppy in particular. That individual should have the joy of choosing his own puppy or young adult. A book with lots of pictures or a Westie toy makes a wonderful presentation and can also be gift-wrapped.
Weaning and feeding of puppies:
Good breeders will ensure that their puppies go to new homes with a small supply of the food they are used to, plus fairly detailed instructions on times and quantities to feed the puppy. Ask what brand of Westie food they use and why they use that particular one. If they make their own Westie food, ask them about the ingredients and why they’ve included each one.
Socialize your puppies before they go to new homes:
A good breeder will make sure that the puppies learn to interact with humans in different age groups, especially children. They will often invite the neighbors’ children to play with the puppies, but under supervision.
Puppies should also be socialized to cope with new situations, although for health reasons it is risky to take a puppy out in public until he has received his second series of vaccinations. Ways to prepare puppies for new situations is to put them in different places or give them new and strange toys.
Choose a man or a woman:
Temperamentally, there is very little difference between the sexes in Westies. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. There is a crossover and always the exception to the rule. Spayed and neutered animals do not have many of the negative characteristics of their sex.
Males can easily be trained to use a urine stall in the garden, thus keeping the garden healthy and odor free. Many fanciers find the males to be more affectionate. Females are slightly smaller, not as strong, and therefore easier to walk and carry.
Choosing a Puppy or Adult Westie:
The advantage of having a puppy; apart from his irresistible tenderness; is that you can raise him yourself from scratch, and participate in training and socializing him every step of the way.
The downside is that training a puppy takes a lot of time and patience. Busy families should keep in mind that puppies cannot be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. They need lots of outdoor trips, frequent meals, and lots of interaction with people.
Adult Westies, whether purchased directly from a breeder or adopted from a rescue group, can be ideal for people who want a Westie with fewer needs. Mature Westies tend to be quiet; some are already house trained and know some basic obedience.
The key to the decision is the lifestyle of the adoptive home. If there are a lot of people around and they can keep a puppy active and clean it up, then a puppy may be the best option.
However, if there are restrictions on cleanliness, exercise, or the amount of time the Westie must be alone, a senior puppy or adult Westie may be a better choice.
(Disclaimer: Any information contained on 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 intended to be a substitute for advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should Do not use the information contained herein to diagnose the health of any animal. You should always consult and verify with your own veterinarian or veterinarian.)