Scottish Terrier Westie
Scottish Terrier Westie
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 1957 Scottish Terrier Westie Xmas Black White Scotch Whisky ad US $8.49 |
 1957 Scottish Terrier Westie lifeguard Black White Scotch Whisky print ad US $8.49 |
Westie Is The West Highland Terrier
These dogs, popularly known as Westies, are basically terriers and possess most of this breed’s characteristics. Hence, westie is not really a lapdog – and if that is what you are seeking, this is not the right dog for you. Though they look extremely cuddly since they are impeccably white and small; however, they do not prefer to be held or handled for long periods of time.
What Goes Into the Making of this Spirited Little Animal?
Colonel Donald Malcolm (Argyll) around the 1620s and the eighth Duke of Argyll around 1800s are the first breeders of the West Highland terriers. What we see today is the result of more than a century of selective breeding to ensure that these dogs have the perfect genetic make-up. westie got the habit of digging in the courtyard due to the fact that the breed was designed for hunting foxes and rats (vermin in general).
The color of a West Highland terrier is always bright white. Designed to be a hunting dog, the breeders selected the dogs having this color in order to easily distinguish them from the prey (fox and rabbits) and thus not to shot them. Their origin also made these dogs tenacious, aggressive and energetic. It has a single-minded approach when it hunts, even today. These dogs are courageous and make excellent watchdogs. Their most loved activities are playing and sleeping, and you may observe that a Westie will always sleep in a secluded place and always placing his back towards a wall or another solid thing.
Short Description of the West Highland Terrier Coat
The fur of their inside coat is soft and fluffy and the fur of the outside coat is dense and wiry. Their coats were designed to protect them against their prey. Today, the advantage of its coat is that being dry it does not need a bath too often. They will although need daily grooming, as a brush is necessary and they sometimes need their hair to be trimmed around the mouth, ears or eyes, for hygiene or cosmetic purposes.
The West Highland white terriers are currently healthy dogs. The skin problems are most commonly encounter at this Scottish terrier breed of dogs. For unknown reasons, these dogs frequently encounter all types of skin allergies, infections and even cancer. Other common diseases are Perthe’s disease that affects the hip, liver problems, hernia and jawbone calcifications. Nevertheless, these dogs live for an average of 15 years.
These dogs like all kind of exercising and are exceedingly energetic indoors, so you don’t need to walk them every day. All the day they’ll alternate playing and napping. This dog makes a wonderful companion pet because it gets along very easily with children, elder people and all other pet animals at home – including cats.
As these dogs still keep their instinct for hunt, they will rush after a rat and catch it if given the opportunity. This trait is owed to the history and origin of the West Highland terrier, which shows it is basically a hunting dog.
Basil and Olive the Scottish Terriers Meet Two Westies in Clissold Park
