Westie Grooming Tips for Whitening a Beard

The West Highland white terrier, widely known as a westie, is among those dog breeds with strikingly white coats. This is a prized trait that some owners seek to maintain through regular grooming. Sometimes, though, breeds like westies get stains on their beards from tears or even the water they're drinking. Eliminating some of the causes of these stains and taking action to remove them when spotted will go a long way toward preserving your westie's unblemished coat.

  1. Mineral-Free Water

    • Your westie's beard can take a turn for the nonwhite if the mineral content of its water is too high. If discoloration is starting to turn your westie's entire beard a red or brown tint, it may be due to this phenomenon. Try a spring water lower in the minerals commonly added to city water supplies. If your westie's beard staining appears to be connected to tearing from the eyes, however, you should seek another solution.

    Other Causes

    • Your dog could be suffering a yeast infection, an ear infection or even clogged tear ducts -- all of which can result in excess tearing and discoloration of the beard. Allergies, cutting new teeth and even a flea infestation may be contributing to your westie's extra tears. When an infection or blood from flea bites combine with the tears, these can flow into the beard and cause a discoloration that's difficult to remove.

    Best Approach

    • See a veterinarian to determine if your westie might benefit from treatment, such as with antibiotics, topical ointment or an eye wash. To remove the staining through regular grooming, some turn to trimming the beard closely and letting it grow back a natural white. This could take a year or more, though. Others prefer to use a coat whitener on their westie's beard to restore its former glory.

    Whitener Options

    • Various coat whiteners are available online or at pet supply stores. These combine proven ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and corn starch to make your westie's beard -- and other areas, if necessary -- white again. Several home blends are available to attempt with basic household items. You can carefully comb some bleach down the beard, taking extreme care to avoid the mouth; you may prefer less-harsh chemicals, like a paste of hydrogen peroxide and corn starch or just a rinse or two of white vinegar.