West highland terriers - info needed General Chat

Hi there as mentioned in another post im eventualy thinking of getting another dog but would like to know AS MUCH info as one can on westies...

any good places to look or anything anyone can tel me that a wesite or book cant...

also i have herd westies are little "yappers" is this really true do they bark anymore than a Beagle???

IME beagles bark very little, they were bred to be quiet apart from when they are on the scent of quarry.

Terriers were bred to exterminate things, so they can be yappy, but I have know many quiet ones.

The main issue with WHWT is skin problems.

so going by my previous thread
http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=149282

would a westie be sutable for me do you think???

(as i said in this thread it definatly will be some time before we get this other pooch due to personal circumstances changing)

Do no see why not, try and get as much info on where you are getting it from re skin problems though, it is not a route you want to go down, 16 years of baths, itchies, steroids etc.

thanks...

(back to not being sure again but would love my westie... not due to skin problems just thoguht major unsureness... would love any animal regardless of any health problem...)

yes. I have a friend with a Westie. It`s not so much the volume but the pitch. It goes right through you.
I`d get to know someone with one first to see how you`d like one?
They`re feisty little dogs and can be very strong willed. So you`d have 2 somewhat obstinate breeds.

Westies are adorable but my friend had one who was so upset with dogs being on the tv she couldnt watch any aninal programmes,,,,,unfortunately she eventually went a wee bit too far and ended up having a heart attack and is now in doggie heaven....so so sad

I have a westie she is 11years old. Fiesty, yappie and scares the hell out of my 21 month old shar pei. If she wants his bed she will have it and he had better move fast

Gosh 11yrs guess she isnt going to change bless her....Oh dear poor little shar pei....hope things settle for you! Think Westies are soooooo cute though!! Good luck

she lives with another shar pei who is 12 and a bedlington terrier x bassett hound. all in all they get on fairly well. the older sharpei gypsy is the boss and the other 2 dogs are a lot younger, but she is the most vocal of the lot

Gosh you have alot of different dogs and sounds good. One can only imagine how you manage, dont you just love them though? Wish you loadsOfLuck sure you are fine though

New comer to dogsey also and not really sure what I am doing We all learn something new everyday though!

No! They`re not Cute!! They`re ratters. They are bred to kill vermin and survive on a working farm. Which is why pet homes have so much trouble with them.

The in-laws have an 8 year old Westie,and she is the most fantastic little dog. Very strong willed and definately the boss of her pack (includes a JRT and GR) Not yappy at all, in fact has a very loud deep bark. But she is such a friendly dog with people, and loves to be fussed.
Bad points are that she had been on medication for bad skin all her life, and has cost them a lot of money as this is no longer covered by insurance. She is also a ratter,(but this could be seen as good too) She has also killed rabbits, pheasants and a fox!
BUT she is my fave out of all their dogs, she taught my Missy her doggie manners!

ive had westies most of my life....gorgeous,loving dogs...like any breed if theyre brought up properly,theyre not yappy!id have no hesitation in getting another.the only reason i havnt is when i lost my last westie dennis,i couldnt face getting another,as i felt it would be like replacing him!he was my best mate.

Bless you its heartrendering isnt it when you lose your best friend....I had a Cocker Spaniel and when I lost him at 16.1/2 to cancer I almost gave up on life....Than got Toby and he gave me my life back. It was a long while though, I felt the same as you. Think all animals are lovely..gave you so much. Take care Jules x

thanks very much jules!i hadnt cried for 20 years.....but that really killed me,makes me well up thinking about it.rest in peace my best mate dennis!xx

My mum has got 2 westies... both girls and they are 18 and 19 months.

I was very strict with them from day one, made sure they were handles a lot and well socialised.

They have their moments, but they are great little dogs. Previously I wasn't a little dog person... but I have been converted lol
Matty is more of a pet dog, she loves to be petted, going walks and playing with her toys. She is fantastic when I clip her, she will just stand there. I can dog basically anything to her.
However Maisy is different, she loves to “work” by doing obedience and I even started agility with her. She loved it. We passed our beginners and intermediate road safety test and now we are doing our advanced. I just seem to know what makes her “tick” she loves to please me.
I would love to compete with her in Ob and agility.

Oooooohhh I`m soooo sorry - dont think you ever get over them but it does make it easier having a new friend and it was the only way I coped. Lets hope Tommie and Dennis find eachother and run together forever. All these years on I still have tears like yourself even now after years. Best for us just to remember their unconditional love and funny little ways. Been trying to find a way of sending you a private message, but not good on this mind boggling machine - done it before but not able to remember how. Take care now Jules

lovely thoughts jules...dont think i can pm yet,not made enough posts x

Bless sounds like you have done real well with those cutties-WELL DONE! each one is different with their own little personality. Love your pic (assume its of them)? Agility looks like real fun, seems like they really enjoy it. Dont there just love to please you. Doesnt take alot to be conforted and its really good you have been strict on them both for you and them......Soooooo sweet .... Love Jules x