Westies ? What can you wonderful people tell me about them ?

[AnyFucker]

We know a couple that are splitting. For various reasons they cannot keep their dogs. We have been offered a 3yo Westie. We have no other dogs and teenage children. DH works FT (and is a massive doggy lover...will walk miles every day in all weathers). I work 2.5 days a week and am less of a walker and more of a doggy-cuddler and fair weather walker.

We live in the countryside part-time and have hours to spare climbing mountains and such at weekends.

Whaddaya think ?

are they yappers or barkers ?

Can't be doing with yapping/incessant barking.

Grew up with 5 Westies. They tended not to be yappy but can be a bit independent. Our bitches were way more affectionate than the dogs but all were typical terriers. Some would love the level of activity you're talking about but two were homebodies and would turn tail at the thought of a hike. Prone to terrible skin conditions so insurance an absolute must but generally very sturdy. Proper little dogs, definitely not toy dogs in any sense. Very loyal affectionate dogs IMO. What's the plan for the days you're both working ? Ours could be left but had each other for company and access to outdoors but it was only once a week.

How lovely of you to consider taking one on. Are you planning a trial before committing ?

we have a 3 year old rescue westie

she is the most wonderful dog, not a big barker but then i have a very barky lab so my barking base line is quite low!

shes not keen on the rain but loves the river, and sees the groomers every couple of months or ends up as a total mud mop on walks

ours did have skin problems but some fish oil and good food sorted it out

ive never had a small dog before, but shes won me over

on my half day the dog would be on it's own for about 4 hours

on one of my full days, it's dd's "study day" from college so dog wouldn't be alone at all (on and off)

on my other full day (Fri) DH is usually home by 2pm...so dog could be alone for 6 hours...that is the worst it gets

would do a trial before committing I think

have always been a spaniel lover before...never considered a small dog

They don't know that they're small dogs

I think your plan is workable given that they tend to be quite independent but will happily snuggle in for cuddles when asked.

Hope it goes to plan.

thanks

am coming under pressure from dc's (and less so from dh, but still pressure) to consider it

Think you'd be a fab person to be owned by a dog AnyFucker!

I think your plan is workable, some will tell you 6 hours is too long but once a week I think is fine.

Don't know much about the breed - have had terriers and the ones I had were a bit yappy. Good luck, let us know what you decide.

I have Cairn. Cairns were at one point the same breed as Westies until someone decided to give the pretty white ones their own breed status. I'm sure they have differed over the years but still share a good dose of genes.

Cons: yes, barks at everything in the garden for fun (birds, wind, postman, squirrels etc etc). But at least it is a proper woof, not a screechy yap. Has a terrier's independent streak (learns commands quickly and learns equally quickly to obey only the commands she feels like obeying.)

Pros: an incredibly lively, happy, playful dog when stuff's going on, she will be in the centre of any football match, wrestling game or whatever our teens are doing, without needing to be worn out by exhausting strenuous exercise. A 45 minute walk a day seems to keep her fit and mentally stimulated. I work part time and she sleeps until 4pm without any problems. If I come home early she doesn't even get up. Best of all she has the gentlest, kindest nature, loves cuddles and loves people.

Go for it

Not sure about the 6 hours on its own at 3 years old. Westies tend to be barkers not yappers, but only when someone knocks on the door. But they are all different . The majority are very active and on the go terrier typical. We had 2 dogs so leaving them together for 6 hours occasionally was never a problem. I found they quieten down after 3 years of age, but other owners said not until 10. One always attacked hedgehogs at 11pm in our garden and had the spines sticking in her mouth/lips and fleas jumping around on her head - nice. Mine didn't have skin problems. Most are not lap dogs, but a few are very cuddly. Some love swimming others don't.
You must get to know this Westie before making a decision. They need trimming every 3 months.

I will do a trial, I think

and the alone for 6 hours thing is once a week at the most

followed by a weekend where said doggie will probably be begging for mercy (please don't make me climb that Cumbrian mountain again ...)

your advice is very useful x

There is a breed specific rescue for Westies www.westiesinneed.co.uk/ You could give them a call/email if you wanted good advice on Westies and their characters (and could be an option for owners if you decide not to take him/her.) I have heard that they are quite prone to skin problems (dry skin, itchiness needing special baths "Malaseb" I think is the stuff used) and are typical terriers in their feistiness (if that's a word!) Good luck

thanks for that...will have a look

They are fab little dogs who think they are big dogs. They thrive on attention, and it's cruel to deprive them of it - they want to be involved in everything you're doing. Wouldn't be happy shut in the kitchen whilst the family's in the living room, for example.

They need lots of exercise and will walk for miles. They need occasional clipping to keep them smart, and are prone to skin probs like excema if their diet isn't right - don't feed them cesar or pedigree as they often set their skin off - go for Burns or James Wellbeloved.

Agree with all the posts above. I have a 6 month old westie and I luff him!

They will be your best friend but will try to tell you who's boss

I had to leave puppy dog on his own last week for 4 1/2 hours and he was fine and the kitchen remained intact with no 'accidents'. Me on the other hand, wished I'd had CCTV installed to see if he was ok and checked my watch every 5 minutes until I could escape and get home to him.

I did worry about his progress as we got him at 19 weeks and he hadn't been vaccinated so no walkies, but he's resilient and as long as he's reassured he's fine.

Def not a yapper but loves a growl in the garden when he hears another dog bark!!

A trial run sounds like an excellent idea.

this is a great topic

Vicious, nasty wee buggers. I wouldn't have one in the same house as small children or another dog but as you have neither that shouldn't be a problem

Prone to skin problems as well (As lots of other posters have already pointed out)

I have two westies, they are both fantastic dogs, very loving and loyal. I find they are quite individual dogs, my boy is very laid back and never makes a noise, my girl is quite 'vocal'.

They love going for long walks in the woods etc. they are also fine on their own for a few hours, never do any damage/chewing etc.

I would recommend pet insurance as they both have chronic medical conditions, my boy was rescued at 3yo and has skin allergies and my girl has had hip/knee problems from birth.

They are also great with my dd.

DF's is mad, costs her a fortune at the vets with skin problems on his paws, barks at everything, jumps up at everyone and escapes the garden at every opportunity.
He's also very cute and likes a fuss and a tickle.

He's getting on a bit and is used not to getting very long walks as his Owner is 80+, but he is still an overgrown puppy. He chewed his bed to bits.

She's had dogs big and little all her life and I think he's the least trainable.

I don't much like dogs, but I have to admit, he's kind of cute.

They can suffer from a wide variety of genetic conditions and they bite vets.

We had one, she was a wonderful dog and really great with small children.

She never chewed, dug or did anything annoying.

I know a few. One has a very delicate stomach, and one has skin issues, but other than that they are healthy little dogs. I find them a bit highly strung (but then I find all terriers a bit highly strung), but not yappy ankle bitey dogs. They sort of march, and have a big attitude, which is quite endearing. Stubborn and contrary, too, but again, I quite admire that

thanks for more replies

We have only had one - she had no skin complaints at all until she was very old (over 15) when she started to get a bit warty.

She never chewed, dug, or tried to escape. She ate well and wasn't too fussy. Loved her walks but wasn't too bouncy and boisterous, even when young. Very friendly and cuddly once she got to know people.

Downsides - very barky and overexcited when people came to the door (I think they do vary a bit in this though), chased cats (though as she mainly chased them out of our garden that was a bit of a bonus usually), could be a bit snappy when cornered by overenthusiastic strangers wanting to pat her.

A lovely lovely dog though - she lived to be 18 and had no major health problems except for the usual old age afflictions of loss of sight, hearing, and arthritis.

Oh and yes they are 'mud mops' - great phrase whoever said it further upthread! I would recommend professional bathing and grooming - for 15 years I washed and clipped her fur myself, then finally gave up post DC and took her to the poodle parlour, it was SO worth the £20 for the transformed dog they handed back each time

I'm a groomer and have known hundreds over the 20 years I've been working (have done 6 today), they do vary so much, I have one who is practically horizontal, her owner has to drag her to the park and she has the most wonderful, affectionate personality, I've also known a fair few who have been snappy, yappy and highly strung, females tend to be calmer, a testosterone filled terrier can be a nightmare

Your lifestyle does sound ideal for a westie though with all the walking, it might be worth checking what he/she is like with livestock and whether you could let them off the lead without them legging it, you could find it a pain hiking and having to keep them on the lead all the time.

Like others said definitely get them insured though as a lot of them have skin problems at some point which can vary from mild paw chewing to open sores and hair loss, the skin problems can trigger ear and eye infections too, often it's an allergy to something which can be treatable but the tests are expensive and may mean they have special shampoo for life- usually Malaseb, which is £20 a bottle.

oo, great advice again, thanks