| West Highland Terrier Dogs - When setting out to find | | | | videos you have at hand. Consult with your local all |
| a Westie is right for your lifestyle and your family, you | | | | breed club, boarding kennel, or veterinarian. Go to a |
| have to consider a few things first. Bear in mind that | | | | Westie show and talk to Westie breeders and |
| owning a Westie is a very special experience and the | | | | owners, when they are not busy grooming or |
| fact is that you are adding a member to your family. | | | | showing.You can also test to see what Westie you |
| Therefore you are about to bring a major change to | | | | should choose to match your lifestyle. |
| your life. | | | | Also called the Westie, this terrier has its origins, as the |
| Moreover, a healthy Westie can live for 12-15 years or | | | | name already suggests, in the western Scottish |
| more, so it is important for you and your future Westie, | | | | highlands. |
| that you give all this some serious thought. You must | | | | In this sheer and rocky landscape, small robust terriers |
| be prepared to invest considerable time, money and | | | | were used for the hunt on foxes, wildcats, otters and |
| patience in training your Westie to be a good | | | | badgers. The exhausting hunt, usually in the pack, |
| companion. | | | | required much courage and endurance as the hard |
| Make sure your Westie gets enough attention and | | | | climate required. Beside the hunt, the Westies were |
| exercise. Spend the money it takes to provide proper | | | | also put into the guarding of house and yard of their |
| veterinary care including but certainly not limited to: | | | | owner. |
| Annual vaccines | | | | It is probable that the West Highland White Terrier and |
| Heartworm testing | | | | all the terriers of Scotland came from the same stock. |
| Monthly year-round preventive | | | | The Scotties, Cairns, Dandie Dinmonts, and West |
| Spaying/neutering. | | | | Highland Whites are branches from the same tree and |
| Keep the breeder informed and updated on the | | | | its roots. |
| Westies accomplishments and problems. Have the | | | | The most important branch of the predecessors of |
| patience to accept responsibility for the Westie despite | | | | the Westie was in the 18th Century from the Poltalloch |
| inevitable life changes such as new babies, kids going | | | | terriers of the Colonel Malcolm from Argyllshir. |
| off to school, divorce, relocation, or returning to work. | | | | As the legend goes, a reddish Westie of his, emerging |
| All you need to do is just take your time and find a | | | | from cover, was mistakenly shot for a fox. Malcolm is |
| Westie that matches your lifestyle. Most of all, don't | | | | said to have decided on the spot to breed only white |
| get a Westie on impulse or because it is trendy. | | | | Westies that could be readily identified in the field. |
| Trends just come and go, but your Westie will stay | | | | The breed was listed officially as the West Highland |
| with you for a longer time. | | | | White Terrier in 1907 at the Crufts Westie show in |
| You'll probably see lots of adorable puppies. But try to | | | | England. The name was chosen for the rugged |
| think of your future Westie as an adult. Every puppy is | | | | character of the Westies and the area of their |
| a cute ball of fluff, but you need to know what it will | | | | development. |
| grow up to be. | | | | Westies were originally bred for controlling the |
| You can begin by studying the breed's history, as it is | | | | population of rats, fox, otter and other vermin. |
| common knowledge that all breeds were developed | | | | Nowadays, this charming terrier is mostly bred as a |
| to perform a specific function. If you know that | | | | companion or family Westie. The Westie belongs to |
| purpose and the history of the breed, then you will | | | | the Terrier group and has full recognition of the most |
| have a good idea of its needs, its temperament and | | | | important Kennel Clubs worldwide. |
| personality and you will be best prepared for a | | | | (Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site |
| long-lasting, successful relationship. | | | | relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions |
| Bear also in mind that having a Westie creates | | | | of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for |
| responsibilities. Also make sure you will have quality | | | | informational purposes only and is not meant to be a |
| time to spend with your Westie. There are many | | | | substitute for the advice provided by your own |
| resources to help you in your search. Start at surfing | | | | veterinarian. You should not use the information |
| the Internet, searching for more information on | | | | contained herein for diagnosing the health of any |
| Westies, as well as on clubs and kennels. | | | | animal. You should always consult and check with your |
| Here are some other suggestions. Take a look at | | | | own vet or veterinarian. |
| some of the many books, magazines, web sites and | | | | |