What is a good age for a West Highland terrier?
The American breed club puts the lifespan of the Westie at 12 to 16 years. A club survey puts the average lifespan at 11.4 years. Veterinary clinic data from the UK show a typical lifespan of 10.5 to 15 years. The French Kennel Club database gives 8 to 16 years, with a median of 13 years.
Are Westie puppies easy to train?
The West Highland White Terrier can be trained easily. He’s intelligent and a quick learner, and training will amuse him as long as it remains positive and consistent. In fact, using positive reinforcement laced with consistency is the only way to train a Westie. Some Westies like being a lapdog more than others.
How do I get my Westie puppy to stop biting?
A good training method is yelping whenever your puppy bites you. So, whenever your puppy bites you, yelp loudly and say “Ow!” After voicing your displeasure, turn away and ignore them for a time. This teaches them the aforementioned “bite inhibition.” Doing this teaches them the difference between biting and mouthing.
How do Westies show affection?
Staffies and Westies have been revealed as the most affectionate dog breeds. Staffies, who are known as the ‘waggiest’ of breeds, show affection by enjoying a belly rub from their owners, while Westies demonstrate their love through licking, jumping and pawing.
Do Westies nip?
Definitely the most important issue about male westies is biting. Mouthing is a learning process for puppies while biting is usually a corrective measure that has more force than mouthing. Sometimes while playing a puppy will nip too hard and cause its playmate to bite back.
How to find out how big your West Highland white terrier puppy?
For a more accurate estimate, enter your West Highland White Terrier puppy’s current age and weight into our Puppy Weight Predictor to predict its adult size. Please note this is an estimate based on typical growth patterns for West Highland White Terrier puppies.
What to do if your West Highland Terrier has health problems?
Start your West Highland White Terrier off on the right foot by feeding the right food, giving the right vaccinations, finding the right vet, and if you’re going to spay or neuter, don’t do it too early. Jump down to this list of Westie Health Problems
What is epidermal dysplasia in West Highland white terriers?
Let’s talk about epidermal dysplasia in West Highland White Terriers. Epidermal dysplasia is also called Westie armadillo syndrome – for good reason, as you’ll see. This inherited skin disease is quite dreadful. Between 3 and 12 months old, an affected dog becomes inflamed and itchy on his head, feet, and belly.
Why does my West Highland white terrier have yeast?
Yeast is a fungus that normally lives in low numbers on the skin of most healthy dogs without doing any harm. But when the poor puppy’s skin becomes broken by scratching, yeast seize the opportunity to attack.
