The West Highland White Terrier, Westie or Westy is a friendly puppy, but brave and brave at the same time.Developed as a hunting dog, it is now one of the best pets.This breed of dog comes from Scotland, specifically from Argyll., and characterized by its bright white hairs, appeared in the early twentieth century, after the descent of the mojones terriers of white hair and cream, at first the breed was used to hunt foxes, but quickly became the excellent pet dog that we now know.
It is a very affectionate and sociable dog, so it is ideal for families with children, who can give them a lot of company and care.In addition, this breed must perform moderate physical activity, so it is perfectly compatible with those who live in a small apartment or at home.If you want to adopt a Westie, this card of the Animal Expert breed will help you solve any questions.
- This breed is native to the highlands of the west of Scotland.
- In fact.
- The literal translation of its name is “Western Highland White Terrier”.
- Initially.
- The breed was indistinguishable from another Scottish short-legged terrier.
- Such as the mojón.
- The Dandie Dinmont and the Scottish Terrier.
- However.
- Over time.
- Each variety was created separately.
- Until it became true breeds of dogs.
These burrows were originally raised as fox and badger hunting dogs and had furs of different colors.Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm reportedly decided to breed only white dogs after the death of one of his red dogs because he was mistaken for a fox when he left the lair.If the legend is true, that would be the reason the westie is a white dog.
In 1907, this breed was first presented in the prestigious Crufts dog show, since then, the Western Highlands White Terrier has been widely accepted in dog racing and in thousands of homes around the world.
The West Highland White Terrier dog is small in size, ideal for those who live in apartments because it measures about 28 centimeters at the withers and does not usually exceed 10 kg. In general, females are somewhat smaller than males. It is a small and compact dog. , but with a solid structure. The back is flat (right) and the lower back is broad and strong, while the chest is deep. The legs are short, muscular and strong.
The head of the White Terrier of the Western Highlands is somewhat bulky and is covered with abundant hairs, the nose is black and a little elongated.The teeth are large relative to the size of the dog and are quite powerful, after all it was a useful resource for hunting foxes in their lair.The eyes are medium and dark and have an intelligent and alert expression.Westie’s face is soft and friendly., always seems alert for his pointed ears, the tail is a typical element and very characteristic of the appearance of the western plateau, is covered with abundant hair and is as straight as possible, is shaped like a small carrot, measures between 12.5 and 15 centimeters long and should not be cut under any circumstances.
The most noteworthy feature of West Highland is its beautiful white hair (the only accepted color) resistant, which is divided into an inner layer of soft, dense hair that contrasts with an outer layer of hard, rough hair.The outer layer usually reaches 5 to 6 centimeters, combined with white fur, so it is essential to go to the hairdresser with some regularity.The plush cut is one of the most used for this breed.
Brave, intelligent, very confident and dynamic, the westie is perhaps the most affectionate and sociable terrier, yet remember that this is a dog designed to hunt dangerous animals, like foxes, although it depends on each animal, the West Whighland White Terrier generally refers perfectly to other dogs thanks to its balanced and friendly temperament, it is important that, like any other dog , socialize properly from walks to parks and nearby environments to meet other animals and people.
You should know that this wonderful dog is also the ideal companion for children, with which you will enjoy an active rhythm of play, if your intention is to adopt a dog so that your children can enjoy time with it, it is important to consider its small size and the type of game chosen since it can end up with a broken paw , they need to be educated so that the play between the animal and children is adequate, in addition, they tend to bark and dig, which can complicate the lives of people who like extreme silence and a well-kept garden, however, they are excellent pets for dynamic people who love outdoor activities.
In general it is said that it is a dog with a strong personality, very determined and brave, despite its small size, Westy is an active and affectionate dog who likes to feel part of the family, It is a very accommodating and affectionate dog for those who take care of him daily, to those who will always offer his most positive version of life.Soft and restless, Westie loves to walk in the countryside or on the mountain, even if he’s an elderly dog.It’s critical that you play with him regularly to maintain his agility and intelligence as he deserves.
West Highland skin is a little dry and if you bathe too often it can make you prone to sores.We will try to avoid this problem by washing it with a regularity of about 3 weeks with an exclusive shampoo recommended for the breed.After bathing, dry your ears with a towel, a part of your body that needs regular cleaning.
Hair brushing should also be regular so that your skin is healthy and shiny, in addition, brushing is pleasant for most dogs, so we say that the practice of their care will promote a link between you and the animal, although the maintenance of the hair is not.so complicated, the westie tends to get dirty easily because it’s completely white. It’s normal to get your nose or legs dirty after eating or playing, a tip is to use baby wipes to clean the area. Also be careful with tear ducts that tend to accumulate remelas and sometimes create brown spots.
This is not a dog that needs high doses of exercise, so taking two or three daily walks at an active pace will be enough to make the West Highland White Terrier happy and healthy.Due to its small size, this dog can exercise indoors, but also likes to play outdoors.In addition, it is important to give this dog all the company it needs.As he is a very sociable animal, he needs to spend a lot of time with his family and it is not good to leave him alone.for long periods.
Westies tend to be people-friendly and can get along with other dogs when properly socialized.Because of their strong hunting instincts, they cannot tolerate small animals because they tend to hunt.In any case, it’s important to start socializing, dogs early, to avoid future shyness or aggression problems. The strong personality of these little dogs has led many people to think that it is difficult to train them, but this is not true. West Highland White Terriers are very intelligent dogs that learn fast when training for the positive, with methods such as clicker training, treats and prizes.They do not respond well to traditional training techniques, based on punishment and negative reinforcement, only gives regular training.He is always attentive while waiting for his territory, ready to defend him, so we claim that he is an excellent watchdog.
Westie puppies are particularly vulnerable to cranomandibular osteopathy, a condition that involves abnormal jaw growth, is genetic and should be adequately treated with the help of a veterinarian, usually appears around 3 to 6 months of age and disappears at age 12, then the application of corticosteroids, natural remedies, among others , this is only serious in certain situations.
Krabbe disease or Legg-Calve-Perthes disease are other diseases that may be affected by the white burrow of the western mountains.Westie is also prone, though less often, to cataracts, patellar dislocation and copper poisoning.