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Original poster

Help needed re DOGS, never had one before, DH has suddenly decided we are getting one, what about a West Highland Terrier?

96 replies

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 13:11

Help!

We have previously had a cat and DS2 in particular seem quite obsessed with her death. DH out of nowhere has decided the best thing would be to get a dog [thunk]. We have decided against another cat as we have moved to an area where the roads are busy (our cat was killed on the road outside our house).

Neither DH nor I have any dog experience. I would like something small, DS2 likes the hairy variety and prefers lighter coloured dogs , I think they just show up the dirt more. Something that won't chew up the house, a dog that could be left for a number of hours (there is generally someone at home all the time but for the odd occasion it would be nice to know that it wouldn't be barking all day and tearing the house to shreds). Also obviously a dog that would be good with children and be happy with moderate walks, ie no 10 mile treks.

Does such a thing exist? I am thinking West Highland Terriers look not too much bother, am I deluded?

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 13:48

Wisteria DH has phoned the rescue centre locally and they said if it is a small dog we are after they very rarely have any, it's all big dogs.

Everyone I have known with a labrador have had huge problems with chewing, ie straight through doors, eating entire dining room chairs etc, although they are lovely natured dogs I'm not sure I could cope with that level of damage.

superloopy, your puppy sounds gorgeous but the toilet training sounds scary.

OK, so far from the thread I can see lots of warnings not to get a terrier but then lots of support for Westies, I am confused.

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superloopy · 29/10/2007 13:50

Ok I have just read my rant and calmed down. In a good mood I would say WHTs are lovely little dogs, not yappy and so far very sociable. Ours doesn't shed much hair so not too much vacuuming required. My DH is allergic to dogs and we found that this breed are low allergy which is mainly why we chose her.
Puppies do take a lot of work so be prepared.
Plus our dog is reasonably inexpensive to feed and does small neat poos! Important if you are the one picking them up!!
If you are pregnant do not get a puppy!!!!!

krabbiepatty · 29/10/2007 13:51

Lhasas and Shih Tzus are very sweet but do require a lot of grooming whereas I think a Bichon, like a poodle, can just have a shortish clip.

hercules1 · 29/10/2007 13:51

I wouldnt recommend a cocker with a child. Ours is fine but we got him from the cocker spaniel club and paid a lot for him. HE is actually more work than the two giant dogs.

Springer spaniels need lots of exercise and are mad!

Original poster

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 13:53

Thanks Wisteria, think it's Springer and Cocker Spaniels the local breeder has.

How about beagles?

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LittleB · 29/10/2007 13:53

It does depend on the breed as to a girl or boy, boy tollers like mine are alot easier than girls, so speak to a breeder. Would agree that there are lovely cross breeds out there too. Springers are bouncy, cockers less so-lovely dogs but can be prone to health problems, my friends was deaf as well as many other problems. (its worth checking all pups for deafness especially ones with white on them just clap behind them or call and see if they respond). Border terriers are lovely too, but I'd avoid jack russells with children as I've known a few that nip. Miniture schnazers are good. Lots of other lovely breeds out there too.

Wisteria · 29/10/2007 13:54

I've had 3 lab crosses and none of them have chewed (other than the initial very early puppy stage, when all dogs do).

It is generally anxiety which causes chewing in older dogs and the way they have been brought up.

LittleB · 29/10/2007 13:55

Sorry don't know any beagles - but I think they need alot of excercise.

superloopy · 29/10/2007 13:56

I went to the library and borrowed a few books on WHTs and puppy training. They were quite helpful in explaining the characteristics of the breed and what to expect.
Everything I read said that they are a good breed for families with young children and are intelligent little dogs too.
I must go to bed as it's nearly 1am and my insomnia is wearing off!!

Wisteria · 29/10/2007 13:57

Beagles again are working dogs and if you don't have the time for regular exercise and stimulation then avoid all these breeds. On the other hand you may enjoy the extra walks!! I now do an hour every morning and it sets me up for the day (not to mention the weight is slowly coming off!)

My dp had an Irish Terrier when he was younger and they loved her, bit bigger than the average terrier, no shedding - I can't speak for the breed personally but he says she was fantastic with children.

Original poster

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 13:58

superloopy, you are selling this well. The poo thing was alway what made DH say no to a dog in the past, he felt he couldn't do the poo picking up, small neat ones will no doubt appeal! Like the low allergy thing too. I am not pregnant nor planning to be so that must be a bonus.

OP posts:

krabbiepatty · 29/10/2007 14:00

Moderate walks seems to be a key, here. Some quite small dogs (terriers and the like) wnat a lot of exercise whereas some breeds are much lazier - eg Shih Tzus. What about a Dachsund - the hairy ones are cute and their legs are so short they can't wlak that far...

krabbiepatty · 29/10/2007 14:01

Sorry, grammar and spelling gone south today...

Original poster

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 14:04

DH is keen on the walks but I'm not counting on that lasting so don't think it's a great idea to choose a dog that requires lots of walking, that probably rules out beagles, I've always thought they were lovely dogs.

My DSs are 5 and 8 so a little bit older and hopefully ready to take some useful part in the care.

I love miniture schnazers, I'll do some research into those too.

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GooseyLoosey · 29/10/2007 14:05

Grandmother had a series of Westies and they were always bad tempered, stubborn so and sos, mind it might have been a case of dog taking after its owner. They do look cute though.

Original poster

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 14:08

DH wouldn't have a Bichon Frise.

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Wisteria · 29/10/2007 14:09

Beagles are lovely, intelligent and easy to train but they are better in a house with more than one dog (as many of the working breeds are).

However you choose and whatever you choose, it's worth remembering that if you want a happy healthy dog that is well adjusted (less likely to chew and pee in the house) then it needs the same treatment every day, therefore if he/ she gets walked in the morning, this should happen every morning etc.
If he isn't allowed upstairs, never allow him up etc. A dog is happier in a routine as they know where they are.

(God I sound like Clare Verity !!)

EmsMum · 29/10/2007 14:14

Westies do show the dirt terribly! And (the ones I've met) smell.

If you want a clean small unsmelly dog which doesn't need too much regular walking yet can happily climb mountains my personal recommendation is a short-haired standard dachshund. They CAN walk that far, they just don't need to do it every darned day! I'm a bit biased

If you want small neat poos, any small dog and feed it on vet-approved dry dogfood not cans. Pellets in, pellets out.

If you are thinking an older dog might be better than a pup, its worth looking on the internet for breeders of the sort you're interested in. Sometimes they have dogs they've kept for show which don't quite make the grade - thats how we got our current lovely boy at 10 months old - housetrained and past the really chewy stage of losing milk teeth, but still young and playful. And also you can judge character better by then.

Original poster

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 14:14

LOL GosseyLoosey!

On an average day we would be able to give a dog 20 mins exercise in the morning, 20 mins in the afternoon and around 45 mins in the evening, plus the run of the garden if it wants/needs any more (this is during the week, weekend walks would probably be longer). Is this reasonable or should we be looking at more than this?

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Lizzzombie · 29/10/2007 14:16

We had a westie for 15 years. She was fab, I loved her. BUT she was a total bitch.
Used to go for small children if she didnt get enough attention, and even went for my barbie dolls once when we (sister & I) were playing with the dolls more than her.

You have to be careful with pure breeds as they have lots of illnesses, my little westie cost my parents lots of money in operations and strange diets etc.

We got her when I was 11 and sister was 8.

They are not low maintainance dogs. She used to go to the dog groomers more often than I go to the hairdressers now (yes, I maybe a skank)

But, they are very adorable and cute, and loyal, and would fight a bigger dog to defend you. Think my one had delusions of granduer, she used to find the biggest scariest dog in the park and just go for it!

Good luck!

krabbiepatty · 29/10/2007 14:18

Actually I am remembering this about white dogs - if they get any kind of skin irritation - from fleas or similar - they seem to get pink patches. I grew up with a white dog who was always down the vet with a pink arse...

Wisteria · 29/10/2007 14:32

Mrs Spoon, most dogs would cope with that amount of exercise - even our lab/collie cross who gets between an hour and a half to 2 hours over the whole day (can't recommend them highly enough by the way)..

Original poster

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 14:32

LOL @ Wisteria the Claire Verity of the dog world!

I'll keep that in mind EmsMum, it is a temptation to have one that is housetrained already.

Lizzzombie, I have been warned about the health of pure breeds but on the other hand there is the security of knowing the parentage and hopefully some indication of the likely character of the dog.

krabbiepatty, so far my research on Westies has said that they are prone to dry skin and shouldn't be washed too often (I was thinking of this as a plus point ) but not too keen on trips to the vet with a "pink arse" in tow.

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LazyLinePainterJane · 29/10/2007 14:34

MrsSpoon, Spaniels are bouncy. Our puppy is a springer. You can train them not to jump up at you though, which is what we are doing (or trying).

And they are loopy as well. But cute and friendly and fun.

My grandmother has always kept Westies and she loves them. They can get ill, but then that is the same with any dog, you just get unlucky sometimes. Her current dog had been so ill that he is not covered for anything buy the insurance any more. .

Original poster

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 14:35

Good news Wisteria, I wasn't sure if that was a lot or a little exercise.

I have had a bit of thing for a Labradoodle (contentious subject I know) for a while and there is a breeder near me, worth considering?

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