Westie Info needed

hi Everyone

I posted over in "Introductions" but wasn't sure where everyone looked. So I am reposting here. I am hoping to add a West Highland Terrier puppy to our family in the near future and would love to make contact with anyone who has one or has information about this breed.

TIA:)

HI!

I suggest you go to dog shows and talk to breeders. They can give you all the information you need - both good and bad.

Westies can be very barky, and very often have skin problems.

hi Lucky

That would be great, if there were any dog shows in the near future in the Ottawa area. Our golden has allergies so we are dealing with that. I thought the internet would be a good way to get information sooner than later.

I have talked to one owner so far in the area that I met at the dog park but I am hoping to connect with a few others. Every breed has their positives and negatives, so I am hoping to chat with as many as possible.

Hopefully some other westie owners are on this forum.

There are other Westie owners on this forum.

My friend had two of them for 16 years. Both of hers had severe skin problems, so be careful. They are small, fluffy and cute, but terriers through and through - stubborn, strong willed, hard-headed, very energetic, and usually predatory to small animals. They can be a handful for an inexperienced person, or anyone who is very soft and easy going.

You can find great answers to your questions on the following site.:)

http://www.canadawestieclub.ca/westies/FAQ.html

The Ottawa Kennel Club used to have a great referral network of breeders who could give you more breed info.We have a cairn which are very similar to a westie but with fewer skin problems.They are great little dogs for the right family.Terriers were bred to work independantly using more instinct than training to hunt and kill ,so they tend to be stubborn and usually fearless,which can get them in trouble if you aren't careful were you let them off leash.Like lucky said very fluffy and cute but very tough.Molly catches more mice and things around the farm than all of our cats put together.

hi Lise

Thank you for the reply. I just met a Cairn at our vets the other day and she was a sweet thing. I will check out the Ottawa Kennel Club and email them as well.
What is your Cairn's name? Have you had her/him since it was a pup?
TIA

Her name is Molly,also known as Macgoo.goose,goo or goozle.We got her as a rescue at about two,almost three years ago.She came with a few issues,but she had also been through a few homes.We love her,she gets along great with our kids (ages 15 and six)she's really good with our other two dogs a collie and a beardie.She gets along well with other big dogs,but she can be really nasty with anything her size or smaller.She barks quite a bit and can be bad for taking off both common in the breed.She doesn't shed but we brush twice a week and trim usually every month so she doesn't get matted or pick up stuff.She really is a great little dog.

Molly is such a great name...She sounds like a doll and she is probably very happy to have found your family. My parents had a poodle with some issues but they worked with her and now she is great..
Our re-homed (wasn't really a rescue since we knew the owner) golden has a couple of things but nothing that we aren't working on...
thanks for your help...

J&M's Mom...don't let folks try to scare you off about Westies and bad skin...I have had two Westies and they have perfect skin, coat etc! Alot has to do with the breeder and how you take care of the coat. Barking can be a problem with any breed...you just have to train them when they can and can't bark...my girl can bark till I say "No bark" that's her cue to stop. We have a neighbour who has a Golden and it barks it's head off-even if the owner is screaming at it to stop...training is key! Westies are great dogs...small in size but big in personality! If you want to e-mail me privately...Corrie@xtranet.com

As you see by my avatar I had a lovely westie boy named Rusty.
He lived to 16 years.

He also had skin problems but it was remedied by a dietery change. I miss him to pieces he was a wonderful boy with a great personality and little mr independant! :D

Like most terriers, Westies are big dogs with big attitudes crammed into the toughest 20 pounds you'll ever find. Do your research and if this (or any other terrier breed) fits your lifestyle, I say go for it.