Westie Tips

West Highland white terriers are a popular dog breed due to their lovable looks and spirited personalities. Affectionately known as "Westies," these dogs often have a big presence despite their diminutive size. There are many things you should know about caring for your Westie in order to create a lasting and fulfilling bond.

  1. Obedience

    • Westies are easy to train, with a friendly and confident personality. They can become aggressive when allowed to become the pack leader of the household. Behavior issues such as biting, guarding food and Small Dog Syndrome can occur if the owner doesn't maintain consistent control of the situation. It's part of Westie nature to chase smaller animals, but they can learn not to do this. In cases where your dog is continually trying to attack smaller pets, it's a good idea to keep them separated.

    Kids

    • While Westies generally get along well with children, take precaution with children younger than six. A Westie's terrier instinct to go after small prey makes it necessary to supervise all interactions between the dog and a young child. Small children can also unintentionally hurt the dog while playing and cause the dog to retaliate.

    Grooming

    • Brush your Westie's coat regularly with a stiff brush to remove excess hair. This process, called "stripping," is necessary due to Westies having a double coat. Wash your Westie every four to six weeks to cut down on the risk of infections. Westies are prone to ear infections, but you can help prevent these with gentle cleaning of visible buildup using baby oil, followed by drying the ear canals with a cotton swab.

    Feeding

    • Westies have sensitive stomachs and diets that require special attention. Snacks before bed and upon waking can help with these issues. Avoid certain foods including chocolate, corn, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and soy. Choose food products that don't include by-products and artificial colors. Replace commercial meals that are high in protein with hypo-allergic packaged dog food or home-cooked "dog-friendly" meals. Consumption of wheat products should also be limited.

    Exercise

    • Westies are very active and require daily walks to remain happy and burn off excess energy. Proper exercise will also help keep them well-behaved. Though they do enjoy playtime indoors, it's also a good idea to give them time outside in an open but fenced area so they can run off leash.