Considering buying a Westie

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I can't say anything about Bichon Frises, I don't have direct experience of one, but this seems to be a very good site for information about them - http://www.bichonfriserescue-henrysfund.co.uk/

A chat with the secretary of the breed clubs can get you details of some of the 'better' breeders as well as some helpful advice on what books to look at, places for further information, etc.

hethmar

Have a look at Many Tears Rescue, they normally have a lot of westies from puppy breeding farms.

http://manytearsrescue.webs.com/dogslookingforhomes.htm

scroll down to see the dogs

hethmar

Oh I wish I hadnt looked, there is so many gorgeous little dogs, I loved Dijon, the cairn girlie.

Cleosmum

http://www.westierehoming.me.uk/ do some great work

poet123

Does anyone have any breeders to reccomend? because think that is the route we would prefer to take, and obviously we want to ensure we buy from a reputable and ethical one.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Try the breed club secretaries, as a couple of posters have said - they will know.

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Lovely dogs but my god they bark like crazy!!! I have yet to find another westie owner that doesn't agree.

Mine has a lovely lovely temperament, very friendly, great with children and other dogs. As for skin problems, yes does happen as they often have dry/sensitive skin - my answer (the only thing apart from getting prescriptions from vets) is bathing them only in hibiscrub antibac wash that is often used on horses with mange. My girls eyesight isn't fantastic either but at the same time it's not ever proven a problem really and she is almost 7. (Touch wood) She has also never ever needed any medical treatment whatsoever.

One thing i must say with this breed is their instincts are strong - so will have a very strong urge to chase small animals - so best not to keep with rabbits, birds, etc. We have a rabbit but westie has to be locked indoors while rabbit is running, and even then she gets very impatient to get out.

Also plenty of strong training needed from the very beginning to ensure YOU are in control. Smart little doggies though

Can i ask where you live, our girl was bought off of someone who couldn't keep her after buying her but we do have her pedigree papers which give details of the breeder. Vets have always commented she is very healthy and strong in breed. But she is scruffy westie type if you don't mind that?

poet123

I live in the North of England, onthe border of Cheshire.

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Just realised you said cheshire - i will find and check her papers but i beleive she was from a breeder more towards the south.

bonar

we have a westie bought her from a bedfordshire breeder. we went to get a king charles spaniel saw the westies and that was it. You need to take a time to consider whether they are a good breed for you. Our westie is lovely but yappy!!!!. seems to be very territorial. goes absolutely nuts when a tractor, crow or occassional airplane passes over. Although she is lovely wont be having another, we had a border collie before and he was a fantastic dog.