West Highland White Terrier – A Dog Breed Good for Kids under 12 Years

West Highland White Terrier – A Dog Breed Good for Kids under 12 Years

The saying ‘Train them while they’re young’ not only applies to kids but to West Highland White Terrier or Westie  puppies as well.

But, first you have to take an important step, that is to pick out the right puppy for you and your family. It's important to understand the breed you're interested in. We have some resources here that will help you decide if the West Highland White Terrier Dog is the right breed for you and, regardless of the breed you choose, give you some tips to help you get your puppy from a reputable breeder.

Having decided to purchase a West Highland White Terrier puppy, you should try to find the best representative available to you. Many sources recommend purebred West Highland White Terrier puppies, but finding the best source takes time and study.

Acquiring a puppy is a commitment that cannot be taken lightly. Hopefully by choosing the right puppy, you will be taking on a responsibility that will result in a healthy, well-adjusted dog that will give you joy and happiness for many years to come.

Puppies in pet stores are mostly from puppy mills or the occasional backyard breeder who's main objective is producing puppies for profit. Please be careful here as health problems may be common as the "for-profit" breeder does not select the best possible bloodlines that will be compatible for good health, longevity and good temperament.

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What Should You Look for in a West Highland White Terrier Puppy?

 What should you look for in a West Highland White Terrier puppy? This is a bit of a tricky question.

First, you should agree if you want a male or female puppy. West Highland White Terrier males and females are alike in many respects but there are distinct differences between the sexes that you should be aware of. You have to ensure that you are aware of what you expect from your new addition so you can advise the breeder. Let him/her know if you want a companion, show dog, or a competitive performance dog. No matter what the function you desire in your puppy, all puppies in the litter will have the same bloodlines.

Most well-bred litters from ethical breeders are bred to emphasize the health, character, and trainability of every puppy in the litter. In the pursuit for your puppy, you want to examine the puppies together at first. An West Highland White Terrier puppy should have, first and foremost, a good temperament. They should be inquisitive, outgoing, and unafraid in his advances towards everything and everybody. They will also demand and display affection without inhibition.

Many times puppies will choose one of the litter to pick on. This does not mean this puppy is defective in any way. Take this puppy aside and he will usually contend himself when he is away from his littermates.

The West Highland White Terrier 

 The West Highland White Terrier, commonly known as the Westie or Westy, is a Scottish breed of dog with a distinctive white coat. The modern breed is descended from a number of breeding programs of white terriers in Scotland prior to the 20th century.

 Appearance 

Commonly, Westies have bright, deep-set, almond-shaped eyes that are dark in colour. Its ears are pointed and erect. Members of the breed typically weigh between 15 and 20 pounds (6.8 and 9.1 kg), and the average height is between 10–11 inches (25–28 cm) at the withers.

The body should be shorter than the height of the dog at the shoulder;. It also has a deep chest, muscular limbs, a black nose, a short and a closely fitted jaw with "scissors" bite (lower canines locked in front of upper canines, upper incisors locked over lower incisors).

The Westie's paws are slightly turned out in order to give it better grip than flat footed breeds when it climbs on rocky surfaces. In young puppies, the nose and footpads have pink markings, which slowly turn black as it ages. It has a soft, dense, thick undercoat and a rough outer coat, which can grow to about 2 inches (5.1 cm) long. The fur fills out the face to give a rounded appearance. As it develops into adults, its coarse outer coat is normally removed by either "hand-stripping", especially for dog-showing, or otherwise clipping.

Temperament 

The temperament of the West Highland White Terrier can vary greatly, with some being friendly towards children whilst others prefer solitude. It will not tolerate rough handling such as a child pulling on its ears, and can be both food and toy possessive. 

Members of the breed are normally independent, assured and self-confident and can make good watchdogs. It is a loyal breed that bonds with its owners, but is often always on the move requiring a fair deal of exercise. Westies are highly social and are the most friendly and jolly of all the Scottish breeds of terrier.

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Introducing a New Puppy or Dog to your Household

Introducing a new Westie or West Highland White Terrier puppy or dog to your household is like bringing a new kid to your home. Both parties will have to go through some important and big change.

Anyway, whether you choose to get a puppy from a responsible breeder or adopt a West Highland White Terrier dog from a rescue group, the first two weeks for you and your new dog are a significant period of adjustment. If your dog had a previous owner, this time could be particularly stressful for him or her.

Here are some tips for a smoother transition for new dog owners.

• Bring together kids and other pets separately. It may be too overwhelming if you present your new dog to your home, children and other pets all at once.

• Look at the diet. To avoid stomach upset, keep him on the same food his previous caretaker was using and slowly transition him to the food you want to use. If you can’t get the same food, mix rice into his new food for the first few days.

• Keep a close eye on him or her. Do not be surprised if there are accidents. Housebroken dogs can still have mishaps in a new home due to stress and confusion. Help them learn where to go by taking them outside often and watching them when they are inside to avoid accidents or other unwanted behaviors.

• Permanently identify your dog with a microchip. If your dog came with a microchip, you must apprise the owner information with the microchip registry. It will take time for the new dog to distinguish his new surroundings as his home and you as his new best friend. If he gets loose during this vital time, capture may be very difficult.

• Enroll in a West Highland White Terrier training classes and have fun! After about two weeks, your new dog’s personality will really start to sparkle and it’s a good time to start experiencing new activities that you and your dog can take pleasure together. Training classes are helpful and useful not only for teaching dogs basic manners and problem solving, but they will teach you how to communicate with your dog and help you bond.

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