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Very excited - getting a Westie
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04-11-2007 11:57pm#1
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We have a female westie - see my other thread on how to get her to stop chewing things at 1 yr old!
They're pretty intelligent dogs, quick to pick up training but incredibly headstrong and independent also - if they don't want to do something, they will resist, whereas other dogs may be quicker to obey.
One thing to watch out for - I was told before we got this dog (and it turned out to be true) that westies tend towards "talkativeness" - lots of vocalisation, ie loud yawns, barks, yips, growls etc. Also told that their growl tends to be totally disproportinate to their size - it's true. For such a little dog, when she growls, it sounds like a much bigger dog, so perhaps warn anyone who will be coming in contact with her that her growl sounds much worse that it is
Tendency towards being territorial, as mentioned above, so if there's kids around, make sure they know not to aggravate the dog - even something as simple as approaching towards them when they're eating may set them off growling/snarling.
There's a lot of upkeep with a westie grooming wise - you'll have to be prepared for lots of baths/grooming/combing to keep their coat in good order, and especially watch out for tangles in their "armpits" - you need to tease these out and not let them mat as they can become tight and painful for the dog if left ungroomed. A longhaired dog will need more washing and grooming especially as a pup - you'll need to keep their rear end clipped shorter to avoid poo or pee sticking to them, and their faces will need washing after food if it's wet. Hair needs constant trimming to keep it out of eyes too.
They are a dog that prefers company, something to consider if you have to leave them alone for long periods.
They are lovely little dogs, but if this is your first dog, and you're not confident with the care etc, would a rescue dog (mongrel of some sort) be a better choice? Mongrels tend towards calmer temperaments than purebred dogs do, and shorthaired dogs are easier with the upkeep and grooming.0 -
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We have two westies, both about 4. We did hear a lot of stories about them being grumpy and ill mannered dogs, but if that's the general view then our two are definitely out of the norm. They love attention and get into fits of excitement when a stranger comes into our house. They never bite, or growl, though they love barking at birds and the like. Maybe our ones gentle personalities are a result of their conditioning....they sleep inside, under the blankets of our beds, and have never spent a night of their lives elsewhere.
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I would recommend a Female westie. I am a dog groomer and i have had no problems behavior wise when it comes to the females The males on the other hand can be a handful. Then again it all depends on how you bring up a westie don't spoil him/her too much.
On the grooming side: Yes they are prone to skin problems and their coat will need to be kept tangle free. Too often i hear he/she won't let me brush him/her. You should introduce your westie to the brush at an early age, it will avoid a lot of hassle for when they are older. 0 -
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They are prone to getting excited if visitors call - for the first good few months expect little dribbles of pee when they get excited too
As for grooming - houndsoflove is right - our westie got her first bath the day we got her (she was a bit grubby smelling from the straw she was nestled in with her mum) and got her first experience of brushing the same day.
Now she will actually go to the bathroom herself when you tell her and hop into the bath ready and waiting for her bath, and will then trot to where the hairdryer is in the spare bedroom waiting for a quick blast of cool air to take the heavy dampness out of her. She is not too fond of getting combed or brushed if her hair is particularly matted, but will grudgingly put up with it, and will stand stock still while we trim her facial hair round her eyes.
Glowing's idea of a rescue greyhound is good - lovely pets, good with kids, great temperament, and you'd be saving a dog too who might not otherwise have a home while you're at it.
Not all westies are little terrors (havok's being a case in point, and ours is pretty good natured too) but most are rambunctious as pups, and generally remain territorial. Ours just hasn't calmed down yet as she's having too much fun rolling round play-fighting with our other dog and our poor put-upon cat. Oh, and if you want to save some time on the grooming - get a cat! our cat will sit for half an hour at a time grooming the westie when they snuggle on the couch, handy or what 0 -
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If you think there is even a remote possibility that you will have kids in the next decade then you have to be thinking about that before you get a dog. When we got our dogs we knew we would be hoping to have a family when the dogs were 2 or 3 so from day one that has been to the fore of our minds while training them. Otherwise you end up with a situation where you either have to get rid of the dog when a baby comes or the dog hurts the child.
Yeah I know what you are saying. We are probably at least two years off having a baby but I take your point. What with the general opinion being that Westies are "The Devil's Dog" I am thinking it might be best to just take a trip on down to the shelter and get the one with the biggest, sorriest looking eyes!! I would not mind the training aspect and know there would be serious work involved with care, etc but I'll check out the suggested sites too so thanks a mill for all your help 0 -
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