West Highland terriers

[honeyroar]

How long have yours lived to?

I'm thinking of suggesting that my 74yr old parent takes on an elderly rescue dog, but wondering what's old in WH terms. The dog is 11. I've always had big dogs, so that would be very old for them, so I was wondering if smaller dogs live longer?

[Freddieready]

Hi, as a family we have had 3, they all had good lives, 15, 16 and 17!
11 is oldish for any dog but they could be great company for each other.
At that age it will probably be quite gentle, they tend to be really nice friendly dogs. Ask anything you want to know about them and I will try to answer.

[honeyroar]

Thanks Freddyready. How active would you say they were at that age? Mum is still v active, if anything she pushes herself too far, walking miles still. I think she needs to slow down a bit and think she's out doing too much because she's bored on her own. She helps exercise my dogs when I'm away but finds my boisterous labs too big and strong.

[Floralnomad]

I know an older lady who has a long term foster from the cinammon trust , he lived with an elderly gent who had to go into a NH , the lady I know has had him for about 3 years so far and the advantages are that cinammon would have him back if necessary and they pay his vets expenses / boarding etc .

[Freddieready]

Re activity, all 3 of ours were quite active even as they got older. It all depends on what you call miles but a lovely stroll around parks, canal banks and fields was never a problem for ours. It also depends on the dogs health and if it is cool, in summer I would suggest less walking if its hot and we always had a portable dog bowl for water. Maybe you could arrange for your mum to meet the dog, she will know instantly if she takes a shine to it. Personally I think a dog is a great companion for someone older.

[SistersOfPercy]

I lost mine 3 years ago very suddenly, he was 14. We lovingly referred to him as the 'duff dog' as even though he was a pedigree his ears never came up and it left him looking like a pup until the day he died.
Health wise he was always incredibly fit and well and never saw a vet for anything other than his annual booster. In his later years he was a little slower and sleepier but still loved a play. We lost him very quickly when he suddenly began to vomit foam one morning. The vet tried to save him but discovered widespread cancer so we went to say our goodbyes that evening.

My mum is 80 and has a 2 year old Shih Tzu. She walks miles a day with him and he is her sole reason for getting out and about. She copes well with a lively little dog and to be honest he keeps her young. If the Westie isn't the right fit for her don't discount a younger dog if you can make provision for his care if needed. I promised Mum that if she needed to go into hospital or if anything happened to her that I'd take her dog.

[Icequeen01]

My parents had a lovely Westie when I was young. She had been used for breeding and then at the age of 3 the breeder decided she was surplus to requirements! ( this was the 60's!). We had Penny from the age of 3 until she was 19 and a half. She was my mum's shadow and the hole she left in our family when she went was just huge.