Considering buying a Westie

poet123

Mmm, my OH would prefer a collie! that said he will be happy with anything as I have held out against one for so long, and he is just happy I have come around!

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Ditto to Bonar's post! Sound like your describing my girl, lol - would take a hell of alot of thought as to whether we'd have another too. I think they are great for people who have plenty of time on their hands though but not if you have a big family to tend to or need to be out and about a fair bit.

On the flip side - my Japaneze Spitz (border collie size, but think pure white huskie) is the polar opposite, won't harm a fly (but doesn't like other dogs he was never socialised before we got him and it's been a struggle since) but indoors he is calm, nothing frets him, no fear of thunderstorms much unlike my westie, can put him in the rabbit run WITH the rabbit and he'll just sit next to her. Loves people, is dopey as hell but means if you say any command he'll do it immediately because he is so eager to please. If needed i can go out for the whole day and he'll occupy himself and not panic in the slightest. A bit stupid - but honestly sometimes that makes for a much easier dog. And i can walk away from him and he'll stay calm - i.e to go into a shop or something wheras my westie will whine for me till i get back.

Every dog breed has their ups and downs...you just need to figure out what you want from a dog and then breed match to your wants

minimoneysaver

Defo check for skin problems etc. My parents had a westie when I was growing up after having a Golden Retriever. The retriever had no problems, perfect behaviour etc. The Westie... total nightmare! Riddled with skin and joint problems, behaviour wasn't too bad, but it ended up costing my parents a small fortune in vet bills and some dog skin specialist in Manchester. The would say avoid at all costs, but then again he was cutie.

POPPYOSCAR

[[B]QUOTE=my_gorgeous_ellie-belle;32812045]Lovely dogs but my god they bark like crazy!!! I have yet to find another westie owner that doesn't agree.
[/B]
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?[/QUOTE]


Heres one!! I have two westies, brother and sister and they only bark if they get really excited like seeing a squirrel and they stop barking as soon as they are let out.Other than that they never bark for no reason and they always stop when I tell them to.I agree that they can vary, mine are as soppy as they come and very well behaved but I do know of others than can be not so nice! I have not experienced any medical problems with them (touch wood!) and they are 8 years old now.like all dogs they all have their own personalities and the sister is definately the boss!! I like having the two of them as they love to do things together the only thing i am dreading is for one to go before the other and the other one will be lost(and so will I) My two love people and would get into the postmans van if they could!!

EddyH_2

I find it strange all the posts about them being yappy and barking alot. Our Westie is quite the opposite we bought him at 3yrs old as a retiring stud, he was silent for many months and even now 2yrs later he only barks at night if he hears what he thinks is a threat outside the house, this is probably around once a fortnight at the most.

I'm coming to the conclusion that our Westie is a little different to the norm. Indeed whilst he came to us house trained he didn't even know how to play or how get up stairs and even now he can't get down a typical house staircase but copes fine with outdoor stairs which tend to have deeper treads.

POPPYOSCAR

EddyH wrote: »

I find it strange all the posts about them being yappy and barking alot. Our Westie is quite the opposite we bought him at 3yrs old as a retiring stud, he was silent for many months and even now 2yrs later he only barks at night if he hears what he thinks is a threat outside the house, this is probably around once a fortnight at the most.

I'm coming to the conclusion that our Westie is a little different to the norm. Indeed whilst he came to us house trained he didn't even know how to play or how get up stairs and even now he can't get down a typical house staircase but copes fine with outdoor stairs which tend to have deeper treads.

Yes as I said above I dont find that with ours either.

Do you know how he was kept before you got him?

EddyH_2

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

Yes as I said above I dont find that with ours either.

Do you know how he was kept before you got him?

From what we know he lived on a farm and was in an outdoor area with other dogs. He had a communal exercise area but was kept with a female Westie in there own Kennel. He had little human contact other than for feeding and been let out for exercise.

He's a very different dog to when we first brought him home and loves human contact. However we often wonder if we should get him a friend but we are worried about how this might affect his temperament.

POPPYOSCAR

Eddy. I think that is so sad when dogs are kept like that.He must have had a nice nature anyway not to have turned horrible after that kind of life. Glad that he has now got you. I don't know how he would take to another dog as we got ours together and they are brother and sister. Does he mix with any other dogs at any time and if so how does he get on with them?

EddyH_2

He seems to love other dogs when he's out for a walk and will often play 'chase me' with them, he particularly likes other Westies and Lab's. However my parents got a Staffie which again he likes when he's outside but inside our house or their house he becomes very intollerant of him and often snaps. He also pee'd on the curtains at both houses the first few times they met.

hethmar

They are known for bad skin conditions. If you look on Many Tears you can see they trialled some herbal stuff called Dermacton and its wonderful. Ive used it on my border terrier now and it makes such a difference. Even in the really hot weather he was just scratching now and then rather than chewing himself til he bled, which was how he came to us from rescue.

Have a look at some of the photos of the westies on the Many Tears site that were treated with the stuff or look at Aromess's own site. Ive recommended this stuff to several people now and every one has said its worked wonders. In fact one lady whose westie is 3 years old and had been on steroids for his skin since 6 months old is now off the steroids thanks to this herbal mix. Well worth a try for anyone who has a dog with skin problems. Its not expensive and they give 100% money back guarantee
http://www.aromesse.com/pages/petnat/dermacton.htm