| So you have decided you are going to buy a West | | | | about puppies and the training of puppies. As a rule |
| Highland white terrier, otherwise known as a Westie. | | | | they are not well acquainted with the stud dogs, and |
| Westies are great little light-hearted dogs. They are | | | | can offer little information on his background. They are |
| quick to learn, and as a rule they are very self | | | | unaware of the history of the breed, and any special |
| sufficient, and have wonderful, unique personalities. | | | | needs of a given breed. To sum it up, they are |
| Most Westie owners will tell you that their dog | | | | ill-equipped to breed dogs, and lack the knowledge one |
| possesses a "big personality." They are lovable, but will | | | | needs to be a good breeder. |
| never be mistaken for a lap dog. | | | | Your best choice when buying a dog is to find a |
| If you are looking for a cuddly lap dog, a Westie may | | | | serious hobby breeder. They have done their |
| not be the right breed for you. They are notoriously | | | | homework on the breed they are selling. As a rule, |
| independent, and won't tolerate being held for very | | | | they are dog fanciers and do not look at breeding as a |
| long periods. They like to be in close proximity to their | | | | profit-only venture. They are breeding for show dogs. |
| owner/families, but they need their space. As a rule, | | | | They strive to breed the best of their chosen breed. |
| when a Westie chooses a sleeping area they will find | | | | They will take responsibility for any and all pups |
| a private space. Away from the family, this sleeping | | | | produced, and stand behind their dogs. You can be |
| area will most likely be somewhat protected on three | | | | assured the dogs are healthy, and have been given all |
| sides; they also like to "cover their backs" when they | | | | the veterinary care they need as puppies along with |
| sleep. Naturally there are exceptions to the rule. If the | | | | proper training. A good breeder of Westies will belong |
| dog is taught to be a bit of a lap dog, they will most | | | | to the "West Highland White Terrier Club of America", |
| likely be a lap dog. But the Westie is not a natural lap | | | | and/or other well known Westie Clubs. They will most |
| dog. They like to call the shots, so to speak. | | | | likely be involved in showing their dogs. A good |
| The Westie likes to be taken along with the family | | | | breeder will ask you questions, and be very |
| whenever possible. They are friendly, and love people | | | | discriminating on the homes their puppies go to. They |
| in general, especially children. They are very loyal to | | | | will guarantee their puppies, with an agreement to take |
| their families and prefer being with their owners | | | | the puppy back if for some reason you find you are |
| families whenever possible. | | | | not compatible with your new puppy. They will give |
| When purchasing a dog most people prefer to buy a | | | | you time to have the puppy looked at by a |
| young puppy, and train the dog themselves. This can | | | | veterinarian of your choice, just to ensure there are no |
| be rewarding. If buying a puppy, make sure you are | | | | health problems looming, and that the puppy is in a |
| home regularly enough to train the puppy properly. | | | | good healthy condition. |
| Westies are easy to train, but someone has to be in | | | | A good breeder will have numerous references. They |
| the home to do the training. Remember, it can be a | | | | will be able to provide you with such references, in the |
| frustrating and time consuming task to train a puppy. | | | | way of other persons that have purchased dogs from |
| The other option is to purchase a dog that is a bit | | | | them, along with their own veterinarians references. |
| older, and has already been trained by the breeder. | | | | The breeder should be able to answer questions on |
| This is a good option, and many breeders can | | | | the breed, and show a good knowledge of the breeds |
| accommodate with a dog that is a little older and | | | | history. The breeder should also provide written |
| trained. | | | | instructions in regard to the puppies needs. Diet, |
| Male or female? In regard to temperament, there is | | | | exercise, and health care needs as a puppy and adult |
| little or no difference between the two in the Westie | | | | dog. The kennels should be clean, providing the dogs |
| breed. It is said that Westie males are more | | | | with a healthy environment. The dogs should be |
| affectionate than female Westies. The female is | | | | comfortable with the breeder, and show a good |
| smaller and lighter, so easier to control on a walk or | | | | rapport with them. The dogs in the kennels should be |
| carry when necessary. | | | | of good temperament, and healthy in appearance. The |
| This pure white, sturdy small-framed dog is always full | | | | good breeder will never sell a puppy that is too young |
| of energy and always on the alert and looking for fun. | | | | to leave its mother. |
| They love to get out and walk, and run in a wooded | | | | And finally, the breeder should provide you with a |
| area, looking for game. | | | | record of the dates and types of vaccinations and |
| Westies' ears stand up naturally at each side of their | | | | worming that has been done on your puppy, along with |
| fluffy, happy face. At the opposite end, a perky short | | | | any and all records on visits to the vet the puppy may |
| tail, which - by nature's design - comes to a gradual | | | | have required while in the breeder's care. It is also |
| point. As adults, it is desirable for the male Westie to | | | | desirable to ask questions on the health of the parent |
| be 11 inches in height; the female 10 inches in height. A | | | | dogs. The breeder must provide you with A 3- to |
| Westies coat should be pure white. They have a | | | | 5-generation pedigree, and a "blue slip" to apply for |
| double coat; the under coat being soft and fluffy, the | | | | registration of the Westie into the AKA. |
| top coat a bit coarse and wiry. This dual coat is natural | | | | Once you have found a trustworthy breeder here are |
| to the Westie. The breed was developed and bread | | | | a few tips on choosing the right puppy: Age is |
| for a hard and dangerous job - that of hunting out and | | | | important; a puppy is usually ready to be taken to its |
| killing vermin. So the dual coat provides the Westie a | | | | new home at the age of eight to twelve weeks. You |
| good natural form of protection, not only from the | | | | may find that all Westie pups look alike; they pretty |
| elements, but the claws and teeth of its prey. The dry | | | | much do all look alike. Look for a puppy with a sturdy |
| texture of the Westies coat also works to cut down | | | | build. The dog should feel firm, with good muscle tone. |
| on doggy odor. Due to this dryer coat they require less | | | | Their legs should be straight. The pup should be active |
| baths. They can be kept clean with frequent brushing | | | | when picked up, squirmy, after a short time relaxing |
| and dry cleaning (this is done by adding a bit of corn | | | | and willing to be petted and cuddled a bit. Their coats |
| starch to the dogs coat, brushing it out after a few | | | | should be thick and clean. There should be no |
| minutes.) | | | | discharge from eyes, nose or ears, and no odor at the |
| Choosing a reputable breeder is very important. It is | | | | ears. The eyes should be bright, with an alert look. The |
| impossible to know when picking out your particular | | | | gums should be moist and pink. The dog should be |
| puppy just how that dog will turn out emotionally and | | | | active with the other pups. It's a good idea to ask the |
| physically. This is the best reason to find a good | | | | breeder about the puppies personality. They can help |
| reputable breeder. A good breeder strives to breed | | | | you pick a dog that will be suited to your needs and |
| healthy dogs that will exhibit traits that are natural to | | | | your personality. |
| the dog they chose to breed. There are three choices | | | | It is always smart to observe the dam for her traits. |
| when it comes to breeders; pet shop breeders, back | | | | Does she appear overly shy, aggressive, stand-offish. |
| yard breeders, and serious hobby breeders. | | | | Is she patient and watchful of the puppies, and not |
| The pet shop breeder is the worst possible choice you | | | | overly aggressive of the liter? Do the parent dogs look |
| can make when buying a dog. The puppies are poorly | | | | in good health? Are their coats healthy and do they |
| bred, and are thought of as merchandise to be sold for | | | | appear active with good stamina? It is well known |
| at a high profit. This form of breeding as a rule puts | | | | puppies can and do inherit traits from the parent dogs. |
| out sickly, unstable dogs, and I highly recommend you | | | | If you do your homework, you are more likely to pick |
| stay clear of pet shop breeders. | | | | just the right dog. The Westie is a wonderful breed. |
| The backyard breeder can also be a poor choice. This | | | | They are bright, happy spirited dogs, and will bring with |
| type of breeder may be a Westie owner that thought | | | | them their own special outgoing personality. They will |
| it would be "fun" to have puppies. They know little | | | | fast become your best friend. |