Our Westie Gino Goes For His Midday Walk In The Park

Описание: A Westie is a West Highland White Terrier, a small, white, Scottish dog breed known for its friendly, spirited, and confident personality. Originally bred to hunt small rodents, they are now popular family pets but still have a high prey drive and need regular exercise. Westies are intelligent but can be stubborn, requiring patient training, and have a distinct, rough, white double coat that needs regular grooming.

Key characteristics

Appearance: A compact, sturdy body with dark eyes and a "carrot-shaped" tail. Their most distinct feature is a dense, white double coat that can be clipped into a rounded shape.
Personality: Energetic, confident, and playful, but also independent. They are affectionate and loyal, but can be challenging to train due to their stubborn streak.
Original purpose: Bred in Scotland to hunt vermin like rats and foxes on farms, which is reflected in their courage and tenacity.
Health: Generally healthy but prone to certain conditions, so it is important to find a responsible breeder who screens for potential issues.
Lifespan: Typically 13 to 15 years.
Exercise needs: High energy and requires about an hour of exercise per day, either on a leash or in a fenced area.

Care and training

Training: Requires early and consistent training with plenty of patience due to their independent nature.
Grooming: Their double coat needs daily brushing and professional grooming every four to six weeks.
Socialisation: Good with families and children, but they require early socialisation and supervision, as they do not tolerate rough handling.

Living with a Westie

Prey drive: Be cautious if there are smaller pets, such as hamsters or rabbits, in the home, as they have a strong prey drive and may chase small animals.
Attention: They enjoy being around their people and do not do well being left alone for too long, but they can be prone to excessive barking if not mentally stimulated.