Grooming Tips for Westies

While not all dog breeds are easy to groom, a West Highland White Terrier --- "Westie" to its friends -- is very likely to be cooperative during the grooming. A Westie needs to be brushed, have his nails cut and benefit of regular ear and dental cleaning. Grooming your Westie on a regular basis maintains his health and looks and may also help detecting certain illnesses and parasites from an early stage.

  1. Bathing

    • Use lukewarm water when bathing your dog and buy hypoallergenic shampoo. Put a non-slip mat under your pet and wash his face first. Protect your dog's ears with cotton balls, so that water won't get inside. Be patient when performing the bath and wash each area with great care, examining the skin for any unusual lumps, rashes or other symptoms. Towel dry the dog. According to Canadian West Highland White Terrier Club, you should bathe your dog only when the coat gets dirty. However, if your dog is allergic, bathing may eliminate allergens, so you may increase the bathing frequency.

      Another option for cleaning the coat of your dog is to use dry shampoo.

    Brushing the Westie

    • Brushing your dog removes dead hairs and debris that may accumulate in the coat. Brushing also offers a gentle massage, which stimulates circulation and reduces shedding. Use a thinning shear for the face, head and tail, a slicker brush for the legs and a comb with metal teeth. Brush and comb your Westie at least three times per week, after a longer walk or when the dog is tired and more likely to cooperate.

    Ear Cleaning

    • Perform the ear cleaning to eliminate the ear wax or potential parasites such as mites. Regular cleaning reduces the chances of ear infections. Use a saline solution for the ear cleaning and employ a syringe or an eye dropper to insert the solution in the dog's ears. Massage the base of the ears for 5 minutes to ensure the solution enters the ear canal. The dog will shake his head, eliminating the excess of ear wax and debris. Wipe off the debris and the liquid that may come out of the dog's ears using a soft cloth. Cotton swabs may cause damage to the dog's ear drum.

    Nail Clipping

    • Perform the nail clipping only if you are experienced in pet nail cutting; otherwise turn to a professional groomer for this procedure. The nails of your dog contain nerve endings and you may trigger bleeding if you cut into the quick. If performing the task at home, use guillotine type nail scissors. Trim the hair between the paws as well.

    Dental Care

    • Dental care is essential to all dogs and you should start the tooth brushing as early as possible. Use a canine toothbrush and a meat-flavored toothpaste. Ideally, brush your dog's teeth every day or at least every second day, to prevent the transformation of plaque into tartar. Give your dog special treats that scrape the plaque off teeth; even kibble may help reduce plaque deposits.