Frequently Asked Questions About West Highland White Terriers (Westies)
What kind of temperament and personality does the West Highland White Terrier have?
I give you my honest opinions about Westie temperament and personality traits and characteristics – positives AND negatives – in my dog breed review, West Highland White Terrier Temperament and Personality Traits (What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em).
Do crossbred or mixed breed West Highland White Terriers make good pets?
Many do make good pets, yes, in the right homes. But before you choose ANY purebred, crossbreed, or mixed breed, you need to know what a purebred dog really IS – and what crossbred and mixed breed dogs really are. You might think you know, but I bet you'll be surprised by my articles: The Truth About Purebred Dogs, The Truth About Crossbred Dogs, and The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs.
Can you help me decide whether the Westie is the best breed for me?
Yes, I offer personal consultations on choosing the best breed for your family and lifestyle. Learn more about my Dog Breed Consulting Service.
Do male dogs or female dogs make better pets?
Ah, let the debate begin! Honestly, male West Highland White Terriers have pros and cons, and female West Highland White Terriers have pros and cons. Visit Male Dogs versus Female Dogs
If I just want a dog for a pet, not for showing or breeding, does it matter whether he has AKC registration papers?
First you need to know what registration papers really mean – and don't mean. You might THINK you know, but you might be wrong! Find out the truth about AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?.
There's an adorable West Highland White Terrier puppy at the pet shop. The store manager assures me they only buy from responsible breeders. Could this be true?
No. There are no responsible Westie breeders who would ever place one of their Westie puppies in a pet shop for resale. To find out more about pet shop puppies, visit Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store.
How do I find a good West Highland White Terrier breeder?
It's hard! The sad truth is that the vast majority of people offering Westie puppies for sale are unknowledgeable, irresponsible, completely clueless – or all of the above. Visit Dog Breeders: How To Find a Good Breeder.
How do I pick the best West Highland White Terrier puppy from a litter?
You can do puppy personality tests. Visit How To Choose a Good Puppy.
I'm interested in adopting a dog rather than buying from a dog breeder. How do I find West Highland White Terriers for adoption?
You can find West Highland White Terriers available for adoption from dog rescue groups or from the animal shelter. Visit Adopting a Dog From Rescue and Adopting a Dog From The Animal Shelter.
I just got a new Westie. Which pages should I read first?
- West Highland White Terrier Health, which includes my advice on feeding, vaccinations, and health care. These pages are very important, because if you start your Westie puppy off on the wrong foot, he will probably experience health problems later on. Starting off RIGHT is essential!
- Training West Highland White Terriers, which includes my advice on respect training, housebreaking, and socialization. Again, you must start your Westie puppy off on the right foot by teaching him what he needs to know and you must avoid doing the wrong things with him so that he doesn't develop bad habits that will be much harder to fix later on.
What's a good training schedule for training Westie puppies? What things should I teach, and when?
Here's the puppy training schedule I use for West Highland White Terriers: Puppy Training Schedule.
How do I housebreak my West Highland White Terrier?
The key to housebreaking your Westie is confinement, confinement, confinement. Visit Housebreaking Your Puppy or Adult Dog.
My Westie has some behavior problems I'd like to solve.
Respect training solves behavior problems much better than obedience training. Visit Respect Training For Puppies and Adult Dogs.
What's the best dog food for West Highland White Terriers?
Homemade dog food, i.e. real food. Visit The Best Dog Food For Your Dog. If you can't make your own homemade meals, a company called NomNomNow will make them and deliver them to your house. See Homemade Dog Food Delivered To Your House. Here's why I don't recommend Kibble and Canned Dog Food.
I have to take my Westie to the vet soon for shots. Which vaccinations does he really need?
The schedule of vaccinations that dogs really need has changed dramatically – but unfortunately most vets are not telling you the truth about this, because a good chunk of their income depends on frequent vaccinations. Please don't get any more shots for your Westie until you've read my article on Puppy Shots and Dog Vaccinations.
What are the pros and cons of spaying and neutering my West Highland White Terrier, and when should it be done?
Spaying and neutering are often recommended too early, which can lead to health problems later in life. Visit Spaying Your Female Dog or Neutering Your Male Dog for the straight scoop on the safest (and riskiest) times to spay or neuter.
My vet doesn't agree with some of the things you've written about health care.
My advice is based on the latest research by veterinary immunologists, and it's the same advice given by most licensed veterinarians who belong to the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. If this advice sounds different from what your own veterinarian is telling you, it's a good bet that he or she does not belong to the AHVMA. Visit Think Your Veterinarian's Good? Here's How To Tell.
I have a question about West Highland White Terriers that I don't see answered on your web site.
It's probably answered in one of my books:
- If it's a question about training a puppy (2 to 18 months old), you'll want Respect Training For Puppies: 30 Seconds to a Calm, Polite, Well-Behaved Puppy.
- If it's a question about training an adult dog, check out Teach Your Dog 100 English Words.
- If it's about health, see 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy.
- If it's about buying or adopting a dog, you'll want Dog Quest – Find The Dog Of Your Dreams.
