Should we get a westie?

thecelt

We have been thinking about getting a dog for ages now,
we love the idea of a westie, but i seem to read conflicting info here and there,
they seem like a pretty healthy dog?
and i would say they seem like a very friendly dog?

but the big thing i am wondering is, how are they with kids,

we dont have any yet, but would like to have a dog who would be ok around them if we do!

Would appreciate feedback from any westie owners

boodlesdoodles

I own a Westie and he's great craic, wouldn't be without him. They can be a wily breed and are very strong willed and at times our fella is tempermental. They need a strong pack leader. I can't comment on whether they are good with kids, we're kid free but I have heard some people say that they are not so good around small kids, but then I believe all dogs should be monitored closely around small children. I think with any dog its all about training and boundaries and Westie's definitely need to know their place in the house or they'll run rings around ya!

Health wise, they can have skin troubles or stomach problems so you might have to play around until they get the right comination of food. But if you buy a dog from reputable breeder you can ask about family history. We've been lucky our fella's skin is perfect but he does have the odd off-day with his grub.

All that said, my fella never ceases to make me smile and life is definitely much more interesting with him around.

JohnMearsheimer

We have a Westie and he's a lively little thing. They are very spirited little dogs, intelligent, they're great fun to have around and will definately make you laugh! Like the previous poster said they can be tempermental and if our Westie wants to be left alone then he'll certainly let you know. For that reason I wouldn't recommend one if you have young kids but with older kids they should be fine.

They can be hard to keep clean too with their white coats, our fella will be out digging holes and covering himself in muck in the back garden 5 minutes after being washed and groomed.

lorebringer

I wouldn't recommend a Westie with kids for the same reasons the above posters gave. Also, they can get jealous and if you introduce a new baby into the house where your dog was the "only child" you could run into problems. Westies have lovely personalities (if raised properly) but they are more suited to an older child (over 10/12 years) household.

If you are looking to get a dog that is good with kids perhaps a rescue dog would be the one for you - many are assessed with children so you will know what you are getting before you bring the dog home. There are loads of pure breeds and mixed breeds in rescues across the country that need good homes, always worth a look.

annefitzy

Have sen you a pm

Sigma Force

Ditto, cute as they are wouldn't recmmend them for young children.
There's lots of cute fluffy family friendly dogs looking for homes in rescue just in case you haven't considered the rescue route yet.

thecelt

Advice appreciated

boardbrowser

hi,
I'd suggest you contact Maureen Byrne at petsbehavingbadly.ie.
she is a westie rescuer and maybe can share her insight with you about this breed.

WIZE

nonsense

I have 2 westies and I have never had issues with them around small children . Our 14 year old westie has been brought into a Kindergarden for years without one incident ( And Children have been pulling out of him )


I believe that if your dog has problems towards children its up to you as the owner to teach the dog how to behave

WIZE

lorebringer wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend a Westie with kids for the same reasons the above posters gave. Also, they can get jealous and if you introduce a new baby into the house where your dog was the "only child" you could run into problems. Westies have lovely personalities (if raised properly) but they are more suited to an older child (over 10/12 years) household.

If you are looking to get a dog that is good with kids perhaps a rescue dog would be the one for you - many are assessed with children so you will know what you are getting before you bring the dog home. There are loads of pure breeds and mixed breeds in rescues across the country that need good homes, always worth a look.

How do they assess dogs around Children in a pound ?

Serious Question

boodlesdoodles

boardbrowser wrote: »

hi,
I'd suggest you contact Maureen Byrne at petsbehavingbadly.ie.
she is a westie rescuer and maybe can share her insight with you about this breed.

I was trying to think of this woman's name last night!! She is fantastic for advice, I've asked her stuff myself. She is one of the few qualified behaviourists in the country and definitely knows Westies.

glineli

We have a westie and my wife is due our first child in May. Our little fella is spoilt but he is a great dog, you tell him something he does it.

The one thing about our guy is no matter how much we tried to train him off the lead he didnt want to learn. We even brought him to classes and he just wouldnt come back on the recall.

On the child side, he has been around lots of young children and he got on great with all of them.

toadfly

Most Haunted wrote: »

How do they assess dogs around Children in a pound ?

Serious Question

They said to get a dog from a rescue not from a pound, there is a difference.

you get a dog from a rescue they have been in foster for weeks to assess their behaviour, you get a dog from a pound you are taking the risks as to the temperment of the dog.

I agree - get a rescue dog that has been in foster with young children.

Dusty87

The mother has a young westie. Its a very affectionate dog. Im not a fan of small dogs but i have to say i love this one. Very friendly, and great with the kids......but, it hurt its leg once and got very snappy. Since the leg has got better never snaps but it shows if shes in the mood she will. If a child was annoying her i wouldnt rule out her snapping like.
For some reason she's very fond of standing on two legs jumping around the place. Brings lots of laughs.

trad

Mine howls along when I play my accordion, hillarious. Great with kids and good temperment, never had a problem.

fifilarue

Have to say the love of my life is my westie-she's funny, loving, affectionate, and waayy too bright...she outsmarts me regularly (not really all that difficult)-a real little personality, who can be stubborn and huffy when she wants aswell, which is just as funny. She can also be unbelievably gentle. Have attached a pic of her sitting in front of the fire watching tv-one of her favouite ways of winding down after a day spent chasing cats. She's 13 since October and I have to say that I am grateful for the fun and love and utter loyalty that she has brought into my life -and needless to say, the lives of those around me- for every single day of every year she has been with us. :D:D

thecelt

seems like you guys are confirming what i thought, they seem to have great personalites?
another q for u guys, do they need a lot of walking?
someone just old me they get very bored unless they are walked a lot? any truth or ?

boodlesdoodles

They're fairly energetic! We give our fella a good hour and half every day of walks. Then there's the mad half hour every evening when he does circuits in the living room, which I've yet to get on video!! But he has lazy days too when I have to practically push him out the door for a walk or to do his business. Like a previous poster said, my fella doesn't come back to me either has never ever learned recall, so I use a long lead when we get to a field for him to run around. Clever boy knows the length of the lead now and how far it extends. It goes without saying, that I use a harness rather than a collar for him.

lrushe

All dogs of all breeds should always be supervised around children.
All terrier types are live wires and need regular excerise as well as mental simulation to control their love of digging!
If you do get a Westie go to a reputable breeder as they are vastly over bred so genetic problems can occur. They can suffer from allergies and skin problems.
As stated already, resuces are full of Westie or 'Westie type' dogs, you'll be spoiled for choice if you go down that route and most rescues will be able to give you some temperament and health information on the dog you're interested in.

ppink

i have 2 different relatives who had westies..both had zero recall and both not good with children and one had very serious allergies which the vet said westies are prone to. How true this is i dont know but you may be well advised asking a vet for input on that.

Kassilights

I have a 3yr old westie and love every day I have with her. She is such fun and very energetic.
Doesn't do great on the recall, unless I have a sqeaky toy!! She hasn't been around young children so can't really say what she would be like. But with my teenage daughter she's great except when daughter tries to pick her up, then she growls, but has never gone for her!!
But she is such a character and is so funny, she watches telly...I can't watch anything with animals on as she barks at them. She jumps around the room on two legs, and now boxes with me too!! Has mad moments in the evening, where she kills her toy.....shakes her head vigourously with toy in her mouth. :rolleyes: Love my westie and would get more!!!

kylith

Terriers will take a lot of exercise. My pair of Cairns (similar to Westies) need a good hour's walk to not go hyper, and will very happily go on a 3 or 4 hour hike.

I grew up with terriers myself and I don't recommend them for children. I've found that because of the terrier's feisty nature they are generally less likely to put up with kids pestering them and are likely to snap or nip if they feel they've had enough of the kids, and my brother has the scars to prove it.

There are plenty of breeds that are great with children. A staffy wouldn't be an awful lot bigger than a Westie, and has a reputation for being good with kids. They also have the benefit of having a coat that's easier to care for and less health problems. There are plenty of them in need of new homes too.

clifford ryan

ide go for a bichon any day over a westi, great with kids. ive got two and sold the first litter no problem, very popular dog and also they are not prone to skin problems

Michael B

We're considering getting a Westie ourselves, interesting to read peoples' opinions on them here. The kids thing would worry me, we don't have children but we may do someday...I suppose it depends on the Westie too though.

kylith

Michael B wrote: »

We're considering getting a Westie ourselves, interesting to read peoples' opinions on them here. The kids thing would worry me, we don't have children but we may do someday...I suppose it depends on the Westie too though.

In general a dog that's raised from a puppy in a house with children will be ok with kids. Lots of people who don't have kids themselves will socialise their puppies with friend's kids, at schools and in the park.

Some older dogs may get on well with kids, some may be nervous of the noise and running around that comes with kids. As always it comes down to the individual dog.

Roar

westies are great. great personalities and generally very happy. mad about our one, she's a right little character. they can be very possessive though, for instance Dolly was growling a bit at a friend who called to the house one day, but then when he called back later that night she was all over him like he was her best friend.



and here's one i call close encounters of the dog kind

boodlesdoodles

clifford ryan wrote: »

ide go for a bichon any day over a westi, great with kids. ive got two and sold the first litter no problem, very popular dog and also they are not prone to skin problems

Sounds like a subtle ad clifford While bichons are not that prone to skin problems, they can suffer with their ears and ear infections. My niece has one and he's had to have his ears syringed 4 times in 18months, eventhough she keeps cleaning them and he's regularly groomed.

WIZE

how could you say no

Woow_Aqualung

They're good around children so long as you nip bad behavior in the bud. The only thing to bear in mind is that they bark non-stop. Mine barks at other dogs, birds, clouds, horses, diseal engins, ominous shadows and concentrated spots of light.

Woow_Aqualung

And out of boredom.

boodlesdoodles

Woow_Aqualung wrote: »

Mine barks at other dogs, birds, clouds, horses, diseal engins, ominous shadows and concentrated spots of light.

I second all those and my fella hates airplanes and helicopters, police sirens and next door's sister when she comes for a visit - I think he can hear her talking through the fireplace!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Woow_Aqualung wrote: »

The only thing to bear in mind is that they bark non-stop. Mine barks at other dogs, birds, clouds, horses, diseal engins, ominous shadows and concentrated spots of light.

Your not the lady I've just knocked around to (Dublin 13)? ..

Westies, well my mother had one - horrible thing which barked day and night.

I've just returned from a neighbours house, their's barks day & night. Unfortunetly I've been in from work since 09:30am and its 11:30 now and I've still not slept yet and this has been an on going situation for most of the last 12 months.

I've no doubt for their owner's they're a great companion but they'll drive your neighbours nuts.

Woow_Aqualung

Jemma Weak Telescope wrote: »

Your not the lady I've just knocked around to (Dublin 13)? ..

I'm a male culchie from Clare

I've had Gardaí at the house about the dog's constant barking.

boodlesdoodles

Jemma Weak Telescope wrote: »

Your not the lady I've just knocked around to (Dublin 13)? ..

Westies, well my mother had one - horrible thing which barked day and night.

I've just returned from a neighbours house, their's barks day & night. Unfortunetly I've been in from work since 09:30am and its 11:30 now and I've still not slept yet and this has been an on going situation for most of the last 12 months.

I've no doubt for their owner's they're a great companion but they'll drive your neighbours nuts.

I think that kind of barking is more the exception than the rule. My fella doesn't bark non-stop, he's got specific things he barks at. If a dog is barking non-stop then he has issues and its not because of his breed. Our fella doesn't bark at night time or during the day and we've asked our neighbours to be sure that he doesn't. Its a bit of a generalisation to say all westies will drive you nuts.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Woow_Aqualung wrote: »

The only thing to bear in mind is that they bark non-stop. Mine barks at other dogs, birds, clouds, horses, diseal engins, ominous shadows and concentrated spots of light.

boodlesdoodles wrote: »

I second all those and my fella hates airplanes and helicopters, police sirens and next door's sister when she comes for a visit - I think he can hear her talking through the fireplace!

boodlesdoodles wrote: »

I think that kind of barking is more the exception than the rule. My fella doesn't bark non-stop, he's got specific things he barks at. If a dog is barking non-stop then he has issues and its not because of his breed. Our fella doesn't bark at night time or during the day and we've asked our neighbours to be sure that he doesn't. Its a bit of a generalisation to say all westies will drive you nuts.

So your dog barks at other dogs, birds, clouds, horses, diseal engins, ominous shadows and concentrated spots of light.

I second all those

Plus airplanes and helicopters, police sirens and next door's sister and your neighbours aren't driven nuts!..

I'm not slagging you off, and I love all types of dogs - esp. the terrriers. But anyone thinking of owning a Westie should bare it in mind that they are a vocal dog and thats something you and your neighbours might have to live with for the next 10-15yrs!.

Speaking for myself, I'm at the end of my tether with this thing.

boodlesdoodles

Jemma Weak Telescope wrote: »

So your dog barks at other dogs, birds, clouds, horses, diseal engins, ominous shadows and concentrated spots of light.

Plus airplanes and helicopters, police sirens and next door's sister and your neighbours aren't driven nuts!..

I'm not slagging you off, and I love all types of dogs - esp. the terrriers. But anyone thinking of owning a Westie should bare it in mind that they are a vocal dog and thats something you and your neighbours might have to live with for the next 10-15yrs!.

Speaking for myself, I'm at the end of my tether with this thing.

2 airplanes a day, the odd helicopter, sirens when we're out walking the odd time they pass, and thank God next door's sister only calls couple of times a week. Now while I said he barks at those things, I didn't say he barks non-stop. He'll give a bark, I tell him 'thank you' and he stops. Either the dog next door to you isn't trained or there's something wrong with him, such as separation anxiety. I've always been around Westies and they can all be trained to stop, as can any other dog. All terriers bark and a lot of owners neglect to train their dogs the correct responses.

And him barking at concentrated light spots is hilarious, its like he's seeing ghosts, then he stops because I tell him everything is ok.

Why have you not approached your neighbour? If they're out all day they might not be aware of the problem.

WIZE

Your neighbour sounds like they leave the dog outside all day . My dogs ae indoor dogs so only go out to pee and poo . They may give the odd bark but dogs bark so what can you do

RH149

I love my Westie - he's full of character and has always been great with kids. He was our first 'baby' but he adapted really well when we had kids but would I get another one after he departs for doggie heaven (he's 12 now).....to be honest, no. He used to bark nonstop when he was younger, the slightest thing would set him off and I found it very stressful worrying about neighbours. As he's aged the barking isn't so bad but the skin problems started when he was about 7 (I though he'd escaped that Westie problem as my Mom's Westie died at age 8 having spent 3 years on steroids due to his skin problems) but we have to bathe him once a week in very expensive shampoo(Malaseb) or he'll smell dreadful.....washing him so often isn't good for his coat but the smell is unbearable! When the skin problem really flares up and he scratches himself almost raw it's back to the vets for anti biotics, ointments ear drops (ears really get red and itchy)...thats about twice a year. Now, the poor dog has diabetes so it's endless visits to the vet, a very strict diet and we're on a strict timetable with his twice daily injections of insulin.....that's just unfortunate that he should get diabetes, it's not specific to Westies but it's hard to deal with on top of all the skin problems.:(

He's part of the family, will be devastated when he's gone, but whether we get another dog or not, it won't be a Westie....no matter how adorable I think they are.

arybvtcw0eolkf

RH149 wrote: »

I love my Westie - he's full of character and has always been great with kids. He was our first 'baby' but he adapted really well when we had kids but would I get another one after he departs for doggie heaven (he's 12 now).....to be honest, no. He used to bark nonstop when he was younger, the slightest thing would set him off and I found it very stressful worrying about neighbours. As he's aged the barking isn't so bad but the skin problems started when he was about 7 (I though he'd escaped that Westie problem as my Mom's Westie died at age 8 having spent 3 years on steroids due to his skin problems) but we have to bathe him once a week in very expensive shampoo(Malaseb) or he'll smell dreadful.....washing him so often isn't good for his coat but the smell is unbearable! When the skin problem really flares up and he scratches himself almost raw it's back to the vets for anti biotics, ointments ear drops (ears really get red and itchy)...thats about twice a year. Now, the poor dog has diabetes so it's endless visits to the vet, a very strict diet and we're on a strict timetable with his twice daily injections of insulin.....that's just unfortunate that he should get diabetes, it's not specific to Westies but it's hard to deal with on top of all the skin problems.:(

He's part of the family, will be devastated when he's gone, but whether we get another dog or not, it won't be a Westie....no matter how adorable I think they are.

The poor lad.

From memory I'm sure there's a thread here dealing with issue's related to dog diabetes - issues & management, if your going to search I'm almost positive the poster 'Anniehoo' (I think thats the spelling) gives some good input.

WIZE

So OP . Gave you decided what you are going to so as you have heard both sides of the Story .

thecelt

the answer is undecided, we are debating what to do as westie was num 2 on our choice list, but dont have the money to get an english bulldog at the moment!