Never had a dog before, what do you think of a West Highland Terrier?

[TheGashlycrumbTinies]

We are maybe thinking of getting a puppy, does anyone know how suitable a Westie would be, I have been talking to Westie owners but they are somewhat biassed!

We have 2 DD's 3 and 6 years, I work for 4 hours twice a week, so this would be a time when it would be left alone.

We have done some research, and the results are that we should be looking at a Lakeland Terrier.

What do you think?

They can be a bit snappy so possibly not ideal with small children.

We have Cairn terriers and they are super. Very similar to Westies, but happier temperament.

All the ones I have known have been smelly, too. I mean, a different smell from a normal dog smell.

they are often nice littledogd but sadly often have very bad skin problems.
I'd go for a border terrier or poss a cairn,
Avoid cavaliers, even tho they are lovly dogd they have so many inherited diseases it is heartbreaking.

Have you thought of going to a local shleter
(vet with 20yrs experience here )

I have a Westie and have to say he is brilliant with our DCs (3 of them) but we have always been very strict with him so he knows we are the boss.

I agree with MrsMuddle about them being smelly (ours is always down at the bottom of the garden digging about or rolling in the mud) and ours is never clean but not yet suffered from any skin condition and we've had him for 6 years.

We have 2 westies. We have 2 children and have never had any problems with the dogs and kids mix. Our westies aren't smelly but my mum has one that is but she has skin problems so I think that is probably why.

Even when we only had one dog, she was fine being left when we both worked full time. Really good guard dogs - ie very noisy!

I have one sat on each foot as I'm typing this!

Yappy, snappy and masses of inherited problems.

Had one as a child but would not choose one again, cute as they are.

Get a dachshund. Clean, loving and very good with children.

We have a Westie and she is a lovely little dog. She is fantastic with the kids. DS is 15mo and is quite rough with her but she has never snapped at him.

We got her as DH is allergic to dogs but has no problems with her.

She can get very dirty so DH baths her every week and we have her clipped every 5-6months. She doesn't shed fur so is quite clean in that respect.

DH takes her for walks most days but she is fine if a day is missed. My only advice would be no matter what type of dog you chose do make sure you properly train him/her. DH did a 6 week puppy school with her... He passed !!

omg- insure your dacshund if you get one.
They are lovely lovey dogs but the back problems cna be astronomical to fix, and are very sore.

Actually, i think I'll not make any more comments on the breed threads- i sound like the grim reaper...
It's just i see all the problems assoc with all these breeds- it's y job.

I'd pick a nice small cross bred from local shelter or try at local vets for somebody they know whose bitch is havomg pups.
you'll get to see them easily f they are local and can work out which ne you want etc.

hth and if you see me back, kick me off

Stay, oops! stay !

You're completely right, imho.

But daxies are so lovely...

We have a Maltese Terrier/Cavalier King Charles spaniel and she is lovely. Very good natured (as are the other members of her family, her two brothers still live in the village) couthy as anything, affectionate.

I would go for a crossbreed as they tend to be less neurotic and less prone to illnesses.

Our doggy is out playing in the garden with the DC at the moment, she adores them.

She is fine being left for about 4 hours, but would not have done that in the first few months.

Thanks so much for all of your advice and replies, as we are new to dog owning we really do need some help.

The mother of the Westie we are interested in has had litters before and they have gone to people we know, who say they have great temperaments and are loving little dogs. We were not aware of the potential of extra smelly dogs, something I don't really want to put up with.

Any ideas on Lakeland Terriers anyone?

Don't like em sorry they are snappy. If you do get one insure it as they have no end of chronic skin complaints and ear problems, it can cost a fortune.

Bless you, Lady Glencora, we slate your little doggy and you still remain civil

Dachshunds are lovely, but the ones I have known have ended up in great pain from their backs

Terriers per se generally need firm handling as they can be quite strong willed.

Where did you get the idea of a Lakeland from? If it was one of those online breed selectors, please treat the results with some caution.

Very prone to skin problems. Get insurance.

Bella, we had three over the course of my childhood and teenage years. None of them developed back problems but maybe they didn't live long enough - two did die quite young of kidney failure, I don't know if that is something they are also prone to. So that's not helping my case much is it?
I am sure you are right - creating a breed with such a disproportionate body shape can't be good really. But for disposition you can't beat them imo.

May I recommend the humble mutt? Healthier, cheaper to insure and just as lovely?

And I know what you mean, LadyGlencora - they are lovely little dogs. Just very sad what man has done to their anatomy

I am being extremely dim today, are all these problems with Westies / Daxies / or Lakelands?

I have got a westie and she is gorgeous, and has got the nicest nature. She is currently curled up on the sofa with her bessie mate -our next door neighbours cat!

Ime, they don't smell because they don't have an oily coat and even better they don't shed any hair.

They can be prone to skin problems though, so insurance is a must. Mine has probably had to have medication for summer time allergies on her skin about 3 times (she's 11).

I would get another one with no hesitation - I think they're perfect little dogs.

Sorry to be picky - but mutts are not nescessarily healthier than purebred dogs - i know some are you can be unlucky and get the worst of the breeds you have crossed as well as the best!

(Hybrid Vigour if anyone wants to google it - also called Heterosis)

having said that - I would personally always go for one of these two options:

1. rescue dog
2. Purebred puppy from reputable breeder with all health tests in place etc. (eg. Hip Scored parents for example - depending on breed)

I would choose a labrador - but I am hugely biased

Am not a fan of westies as my gran had one that was v. snappy when I was little. Again - biased!

You could also try a specialist breed rescue if you fancy an adult of a specific breed? They you can get one that is already proven as good with children - although some resuces won't home to families with young children.

Good luck with whatever breed you choose