Many dog lovers know the West Highland White Terrier, and many families have either raised one before or are raising one now. Some people say the breed is difficult to keep. Is that really true? To answer that question, it helps to look directly at how a Westie should be raised.
Characteristics of the West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier is a small, playful, determined terrier with very good style and a proud attitude. It is strongly built, with a deep chest, straight back, upright hindquarters, and well-developed muscles that together show both strength and liveliness. It has a white, coarse outer coat over a thick, soft undercoat.
Owners should never feed chocolate to dogs, because chocolate can be fatal. Theobromine stimulates the heart and central nervous system and may cause chocolate poisoning. More generally, understanding common canine diseases and normal breed behavior helps a Westie grow up more healthily. The coat needs routine brushing, but with regular care the dog maintains a very impressive appearance.
Westie Diet
A West Highland White Terrier should be fed a balanced diet, and table scraps are not suitable as a main food source. In practice, around one cup of dry food a day plus a spoonful of canned food may be enough for many individuals to maintain health, depending on size and activity. If dry food is used, it can be moistened with warm water, though not made overly wet. Once you choose a food that the dog likes and digests well, it is better to keep using it steadily instead of changing food all the time. Canned food can also help improve nutritional balance.
As with other breeds, sexual maturity does not automatically mean the dog is physically mature enough for ideal breeding. Medium-sized dogs may reach sexual maturity at around seven to eight months, but both males and females are still not fully developed, so breeding at that age is not ideal.
Westie Health
When raising a Westie, owners should also take the dog to the veterinary clinic regularly for health checks and pay attention to whether important indicators remain normal. At the same time, psychological well-being matters too. The dog should often be taken outdoors to play and should not be deprived of affection or attention. That is one of the keys to building a close bond between the Westie and its owner.