Are Westhighland Terriers the Right Dogs for You?

You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it is the right size for your yard, home, or lifestyle, but a little more in-depth knowledge is necessary to determine if westies have the personality for you.

Westie terriers are exuberant little dogs, but owners do report that they are usually content to lie at their side throughout the day. However, once they are let outside, westies will want to run and jump and play. Like any dog, they require outside playtime every day. Westies are not dogs that perform well when left alone all day.

Some people describe them as obstinate and naughty. This is a trait of many terrier breeds, but westies dogs usually have it to a lesser degree. They are very independent, but they are also intelligent and easy to train if they handled in a firm, consistent way. Westie terriers are considered easy to housetrain, because of their natural desire to remain clean.

Most are not described as cuddlers. They are not lap dogs. However, they are extremely companionable, and want to be with you no matter what you do. You can take westie dogs just about anywhere that dogs are allowed to go.

They will bark to announce that a stranger is approaching. They make good guard dogs. They can be trained not to bark, or to bark once and then stop. Although they announce strangers, they are also extremely friendly with everybody.

Your westie terriers will get along with your children if they respect the dogs' boundaries. One that has been poked and pulled to the point of irritation will nip or become aggressive. Some authorities on westies do not recommend the dogs for homes with children under six years of age.

West highland white terriers were bred to chase down small prey. If a cat runs away, it will chase it. Westie rescue organizations report that the terrier's inability to tolerate cats can be a problem. Other small pets, such as rodents and birds, are not safe to run loose in a home with a westie terrier. Your westie will usually accept other dogs, although males are less likely to accept another unaltered male of any breed.

All terriers are also bred to dig prey out of the ground. They enjoy digging and will do so if they are allowed to learn the behavior when they are puppies. Older dogs that have already learned the behavior can be trained out of it.

Westie terriers' physical needs are fairly simple. They do not shed much, but require regular brushing, and grooming every six to eight weeks. It is better to let the hard, stiff coat shed dirt and debris naturally, rather than frequent bathing.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com

Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest,
Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You
Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW!
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com

local house cleaners Park Ridge ..
In The News:

Kodiak Driver autonomous truck achieves perfect 98 safety score, matching top human fleets in groundbreaking AI evaluation by Nauto's VERA system.
New 401k catch-up contribution rules in 2026 will change taxes for high earners over 50. Learn how scammers exploit these changes and protect your retirement savings.
Kurt Knutsson's guide covers social media privacy protection through location settings, account privacy controls and two-factor authentication to prevent scams and data breaches.
Revolutionary retinal implant restores central vision in 80% of patients with advanced macular degeneration, offering hope where treatments once only slowed blindness.
Learn how to use passkeys on Windows and Mac computers without cameras or fingerprint readers. Discover secure authentication methods that replace passwords.
Tesla's FSD v14.1.2 update reintroduces Mad Max mode, enabling higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than the standard Hurry profile setting.
A phishing email scam targeting American Express customers shows how cybercriminals use fake urgent messages to steal personal and financial information.
Facebook's new Meta AI feature analyzes your camera roll photos to create polished collages automatically, but requires cloud processing and raises privacy concerns.
A New Jersey teenager filed a major lawsuit against AI/Robotics Venture Strategy 3 Ltd. over ClothOff, an AI tool that created fake nude images from her social media photos.
Microsoft reports Storm-2657 cybercriminals sent phishing emails to 6,000 addresses at 25 universities to steal payroll credentials and redirect funds.
Astronomers have discovered asteroid 2025 SC79, a skyscraper-sized space rock orbiting the sun in just 128 days. the second-fastest known.
The Fox News AI Newsletter delivers the latest developments form the world of artificial intelligence, including the technology's challenges and opportunities.
A cyberattack on SimonMed Imaging exposed personal information of 1.2 million patients, including medical records, financial details and identity papers.
Spotify's managed accounts for kids under 13 now available in at least seven countries, allowing parents to filter and block explicit content and songs.
Friendly text conversations about BBQs and social events can lead to WEEX gold trading scams that target older adults with fake investment opportunities.
California company Skyeports creates self-healing glass spheres from Moon regolith that generate solar power and support plant growth for sustainable lunar living.
Cleafy researchers discover fake VPN streaming app Mobdro Pro that installs Klopatra banking Trojan, giving attackers full control over Android devices.
Police departments across the U.S. and Canada are adopting virtual reality training to better prepare officers for high-pressure, real-world situations.
House Bill 469 would prevent AI systems from owning property, serving as executives, or gaining legal personhood in Ohio under Representative Thaddeus Claggett's proposal.
Public voter records expose retirees' personal details to election scammers who create targeted cons using names, addresses, and voting history data.
Instead of fearing what comes next with artificial intelligence, think outside the box. Here are high-earning AI jobs that don't require a computer science degree.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says polite words like "please" and "thank you" cost millions annually, while direct prompts may improve ChatGPT accuracy by several points.
Chattee Chat and GiMe Chat exposed intimate conversations and photos, revealing users spent up to $18,000 on AI companions before the breach.
New Instagram parental controls allow families to manage teen screen time and content limits through the Family Center with stricter safety settings.
Third-party security breach at Discord exposes sensitive user information including government IDs, highlighting cybersecurity risks from external service providers.

Dog Behavior Problems: Help! My Dog is a Nuisance When he Misbehaves!

How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say,... Read More

Feral Cats - Societys Problem Children

There is a lot of talk going on about what... Read More

Nervous Cats, Wining the Trust of a Timid Cat

Nervous cats hide from people, they do not readily present... Read More

Life with the Rat Terriers

I am a happy owner of two rat terriers. They... Read More

Housebreaking Your Dog-Potty Training Canine Style

Puppies are a bundle of newfound joy. You've prepared the... Read More

Breed Success in Your Puppy Search

The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More

Canine Diabetes - Does Your Dog Have it?

Canine Diabetes: A Serious Dog Disease That is Completely ManageableCanine... Read More

How I Get More Training Done On My Horses In 1/2 The Time

Here's a simple way... to help your horse learn twice... Read More

Pilling a Cat

Pilling a cat can be a "nightmarish" experience. Cats don't... Read More

Dog Training -What You Should Keep In Mind When Playing With Your Dog

Dogs, especially young dogs are very playful by nature.Play provides... Read More

Why Build Your Own Reptile Cage?

When I first started my interest in reptiles I was... Read More

Training Your Dog to Sit

Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing... Read More

Scottie & Westie - This Mistake is Perfectly Understandable

Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More

How to Choose the Right Bird Cage

If the "tweet, tweet" of little beaks is in your... Read More

Beds for the Pets: Sleeping in Comfort

As we love to have a comfortable place to sleep... Read More

Teaching Your Dog to Heel

Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More

Our Childrens Story

One we must regrettably share with our children for they... Read More

Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 3 of 3

Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More

Give a Homeless Cat or Dog a Gift of Good Cheer

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, full of... Read More

Adopting A Dog

You know what it's like. You see a cute curly... Read More

Cute Cat Names ... And How To Find Them

Cute cat names? Max is popular, Lady a favorite for... Read More

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)

What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a... Read More

Safety in the Fresh Air and the Outdoors for Your Cat - How To Build a Cattery

Animal welfare organizations and humane societies have been very successful... Read More

Goldfish Feeding Tips

What's the best food for your Goldfish?Goldfish need food that... Read More

Cold Weather Pet Care

As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More

move out cleaning service Glenview ..