Westie

GT_TDI_150

Guys,

My wife is crazy for a Bichon frise as you can tell from my other post

I'm also looking at alternatives, so same questions as I had for BF, but now for westies ( a copy and past of my previous post )

As I grew up we always had a dog/dogs and so had my wife, strangly, since we got married we havent had a dog?!!?

Now down to the questions:

Do Westies suffer from any possible specific health issues( ala king charles cavs brain issue)?
Do they shed (much)?
How are they around kids(2yr old)?
We have a house cat, how would a BF and a cat get on?
What maintenance do they require(brushing, ...)
what kit/set-up do I require at home?
I'm going to assume they are the kind of dog that spend most of their time inside?
Are they ok to go for walks(3miles or so?)
how much can you expect to pay for a westie from a breeder?

And in general ....

Once the pup comes home with you, what vets visits(costs?) are required
Im going to assume the answer here is the same for all 'small' dogs

If anyone has any useful info - tips, please share

thanks in advance

kylith

Do Westies suffer from any possible specific health issues( ala king charles cavs brain issue)?
Can have food allergies and skin issues.
Do they shed (much)?
They will shed.
How are they around kids(2yr old)?
I'd never really recommend terriers with small kids. They can be ok with training, but they do tend to have a high prey drive and can get wound up with high-pitched noises and quick movements. They're also pretty feisty and won't tolerate much pulling and poking, ime.
We have a house cat, how would a BF and a cat get on?
If they're raised together they should be fine.
What maintenance do they require(brushing, ...)
Not a massive amount of grooming, but a good brushing now and then. Possibly will need regular baths for skin conditions.
what kit/set-up do I require at home?
Same as for any dog.
I'm going to assume they are the kind of dog that spend most of their time inside?
They should be pretty hardy with a decent set up.
Are they ok to go for walks(3miles or so?)
Oh, yes. They'll need an hour, minimum.
how much can you expect to pay for a westie from a breeder?
Don't know.
And in general ....

Once the pup comes home with you, what vets visits(costs?) are required
Im going to assume the answer here is the same for all 'small' dogs
It could be a bit more with specialist food and medication for skin conditions.

wolfpawnat

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

Now down to the questions:

Do Westies suffer from any possible specific health issues( ala king charles cavs brain issue)?

Luxating patellas (knee clicking out of place)
Legges-Perthes Disease (abnormal formation of the ball in the hip joint)
Tend to have skin issues with some foods (mine did) easily avoided with the right food

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

Do they shed (much)?

they tend to shed a good bit, they are also in need of a lot of grooming.

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

How are they around kids(2yr old)?

Like all terriers they can be a bit nippy towards children, when you get them as pups you can train them not too, but I have a pretty bad scar on my hand from my one as a child (although I did accidently press on a cancer cyst I did not know was there!)

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

We have a house cat, how would a BF and a cat get on?

As a pup it would be fine, as a adult cat, it may be very wary at first and they may need to be introduced to each other slowly

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

What maintenance do they require(brushing, ...)

Good walks, they are terriers after all they are well able for it, the white fur is hard to keep and grooming has to be at least 4 times a week and 3-5 month trips to the dog groomers for clippings.

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

what kit/set-up do I require at home?

- crate
- bowl
- brush
- collar
- licence
- pet insurance (worth it!)
- Blankets
- Paper for toilet training
- patience

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

I'm going to assume they are the kind of dog that spend most of their time inside?

they do well indoors but love the outdoors too.

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

Are they ok to go for walks(3miles or so?)

they will gladly go for a 3 mile walk, they are great little fellas for it

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

how much can you expect to pay for a westie from a breeder?

not sure these days, check around to get an approximate price, you also pay more for good breeding lines. Always demand papers for purebreds, there are alot of scammers around.

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

And in general ....

Once the pup comes home with you, what vets visits(costs?) are required
Im going to assume the answer here is the same for all 'small' dogs

If anyone has any useful info - tips, please share

thanks in advance

You will need to get it its boosters for its vaccines, as well as microchipping which can be done the same day, also neutering. And in general they need a check up every few months like ourselves

Hope this helps

DBB

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

Now down to the questions:

Do Westies suffer from any possible specific health issues( ala king charles cavs brain issue)?
Do they shed (much)?
How are they around kids(2yr old)?
We have a house cat, how would a BF and a cat get on?
What maintenance do they require(brushing, ...)
what kit/set-up do I require at home?
I'm going to assume they are the kind of dog that spend most of their time inside?
Are they ok to go for walks(3miles or so?)
how much can you expect to pay for a westie from a breeder?

And in general ....

Once the pup comes home with you, what vets visits(costs?) are required
Im going to assume the answer here is the same for all 'small' dogs

If anyone has any useful info - tips, please share

thanks in advance

Hi OP,
I run a rescue and deal exclusively with westies, so have a fair bit of familiarity with them, so here goes...

Westies suffer from a number of quite serious and costly health problems, including atopy (skin), perthe's disease (hips), luxating patella, craniomandibular osteopathy (skull and jaw), digestive problems, westie lung, various cancers, and treatment for some of these conditions leads them to other problems too.
The skin condition is inherited, and though a good diet helps, this alone does not prevent them developing poor skin, which I can tell you is one of the most distressing health problems to deal with... It is HORRIBLE.

They shed a reasonable amount, enough to leave hairs on your clothes if you pick them up. And they can spark allergies, contrary to what some ill-informed websites and books may tell you.

Kids... I wouldn't even dream of dreaming about getting a westie if I'd very young children. They tend to be too quick-tempered to be suitable for small kids, even when reared with them, and I end up with many of them because of this. They're usually good with kids in small doses, but not to live with them full-time.

As a hunting breed, and as a terrier, they tend not to be particularly good with cats, though careful rearing will help here.

Their coats are quite high maintenance. Not as much as a Bichon, but still hard enough work.

Once mature they can go for long walks and are bundles of energy.

As for breeders, perhaps someone else can give you an individual recommendation, but such is the shameful state of westie breeding in Ireland, I cannot recommend any breeders in the south of Ireland. The westie club tend to be unhelpful, to put it politely, and even the "top" breeders recommended by the IKC have seriously let people I have sent to them in good faith down. I have contacts for some wonderful breeders in Northern Ireland, who produce the best quality westies money can buy, but they are more expensive, the extra cost is absolutely justified however.
Do not buy a westie online. They are almost all puppy-farmed in my experience.

In short, they are very cute to look at, but they have a lot of attitude and big opinions about life, and their owners need to be able not just to cope with this, but to celebrate it! Westies are quite polarising, people who know them either love them or hate them!

TerrorFirmer

I have two, and find they don't shed much. Sure, they leave hairs here and there, but relative to what shedding means to most other dogs, no, they don't really shed so much.

They don't suffer from health issues to the same extent as the likes of King Charles, either. I've two and they're almost 10 and both in perfect health, I've known a few people who had them and they lived pretty good lives, similarly a few people I know had King Charles Cavaliers and they were quite sickly past the 10 year mark, as a comparison, so I wouldn't be comparing those breeds as a basis for potential health problems.

They are very feisty and playful and generally, super affectionate and love company. However they like to bark, also....bits of paper drifting in the street can set them off! Good little guard dogs though, they bark at anyone coming into the house though once they're past the threshold they happily greet them with scrapes, licks and wagging tails. They are fine amongst small kids supervised, it's not that they're inherently aggressive but they don't like being pulled and dragged out of, so leaving them around small kids wouldn't be a great idea in my opinion, plenty of other dogs are more tolerable of that kind of behavior. However it shouldn't be a problem as most people wouldn't leave kids unsupervised around any sort of dog, really. We've had westies before, and for the most part they have a similar disposition.

Ours are washed and groomed once a week, and by groomed I mean in the general sense, not to professional or show standard, and their coats are OK.

They're great for long walks and have bundles of energy. When they were very small we used to take them on really long walks and after awhile they simply laid down on the road and had to be carried the rest of the way

Littlevick

Hi,

Have you considered adopting a dog? There are some fab dogs for re-homing on lots of the websites.. Many are pure-bred too if you are into that.

The people working there are brilliant for advice.

It's not for everyone- especially if you have your mind made up on a breed/size etc. If not it may well be worth a look..

I bought my cockers as I really wanted that particular breed so don't think I'm forcing you!!

Cutie18Ireland

One thing if you do get a westie, be careful with their diet. I had a rescue one here and his skin was bad from a bad diet. We had him exclusively on Burns Mini Bites and even after 3 weeks you could see a massive difference in his skin.

Cherry Blossom

OP - does this dog have to be white? Are you possibly open to suggestions of breeds that may be suitable (but are not white )?

meoklmrk91

Health Issues: Yes, specifically skin conditions, which is extremely irritating both to them and you as you try to control it.

Shedding: I would say yes, however it is the fact that their hairs are white that makes it that much more noticeable.

Kids: No, they wouldn't be one I would recommend to be honest. I once looked after a Westie while her family were gone on holidays, they had two little girls whom the dog had been brought up with. When they came back the girls were delighted to see her, the dog not so much, she just looked very uncomfortable with the rubs and cuddles and they weren't even being rough. She just seemed to want to avoid them at all costs.

Cats: They have a high enough prey drive but once they are introduces properly and the dog knows what is expected of him/her then it shouldn't be a large issue, always depends on the actual dog itself though.

Grooming: They have tougher coats than the BF which is good, a good brushing and bath every now and then will keep them tidy. Because they are white they will have tear stains around the eyes, how noticeable it is all depends on how often you clean the hair around the eyes, I know some people who never do it and others who insist on doing it daily.

Set-Up: Same as any dog really.

Indoor or Outdoor: They are hardy little dogs and do quite well outdoors, will love having a snoop and a play around the garden, but like most dogs really enjoy spending time indoors with their families as well.

Walks: Like I said they are hardy and like exploring, 3 miles shouldn't bother them in the slightest.

How much: It all depends, best thing to do is to get in touch with some breeders through the IKC and speak to them regarding cost and criteria for getting a pup.

GT_TDI_150

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

OP - does this dog have to be white? Are you possibly open to suggestions of breeds that may be suitable (but are not white )?

it doesnt have to be white, but would be nice.

they are kind of the only 2 small dogs that we like the look of. No point in settling for a different dog if you dont like them i suppose




the skinproblems and possibel costs are kind of putting me off westies tbh

kylith

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

it doesnt have to be white, but would be nice.

they are kind of the only 2 small dogs that we like the look of. No point in settling for a different dog if you dont like them i suppose




the skinproblems and possibel costs are kind of putting me off westies tbh

Yeah, but there's no point in picking a dog because you like the look of it, only to find out that they don't fit in with your lifestyle at all.

Why not let us know what resources you have in the way of space, time for walks, willingness to groom, etc and we could suggest some breeds that would be suitable. I guarantee that within a week you won't give a damn what colour it is!

Cherry Blossom

OP, the fact is that SWF's (Small White Furries) are the puppy mills choice, they have literally been inbred to death. Even from a reputable breeder there is no guarantee of a problem free dog. The Westie almost became extinct in Britain post world war due to rationing causing a lack of suitable diet, some were exported to the States and their off spring brought back when rationing was over, I suppose my point is that food intolerances are deeply ingrained in the breed and there are no conclusive tests to determine if a dog has 'allergy' genes. All you can do is feed them on the best diet you can afford from the off and hope for best.

All white dogs are super prone to cancers and deafness, it comes with being white. Most small breeds will be the least suitable dogs for kids, you won't find any breed that has no health problems. That said I wouldn't be comparing anything to Cavaliers who can have very distinct and serious problems, no other breed even comes close to it.

Kudos to you for asking these questions in advance but if you are looking for a dog that looks a certain way you have to compromise with yourself with other aspects of your lifestyle which is usually not a good idea.

GT_TDI_150

kylith wrote: »

Yeah, but there's no point in picking a dog because you like the look of it, only to find out that they don't fit in with your lifestyle at all.

Why not let us know what resources you have in the way of space, time for walks, willingness to groom, etc and we could suggest some breeds that would be suitable. I guarantee that within a week you won't give a damn what colour it is!

Ok,

As we have a 2yr old toddler, it can not be an 'aggressive breed'.
Preferably a breed that is happy to spend most of its time inside.

Preferably a dog with no know health issues ... not being snobby, just thinking of the cost

We will be able to got for a proper walk 2-3 times a week, and the dog will have ample space outside(.75acre) but we would prefer to be mainly inside

WE have a 5yr old house cat.

We have an entire room that is empty and can/will be devoted to the dog.

My wife has a preference towards smaller dogs, I'm easy either way ( I like all of them:cool:)

andreac

What about a Cavalier or a Shih Tzu? They are great family dogs and great with kids.

You say a proper walk 2-3 times a week, a dog needs to be walked EVERYDAY, not a few times a week. A big garden does not substitute for walks im afraid so you need to make sure your dog is out for a walk everyday or you will have problems.

kylith

I wouldn't go for a cav because of the health issues, and generally small dogs don't do too well with little children because they're just too small and delicate.

I'd be inclined to go for something like a Springer, they have fabulous temperments and any I've known have put up with an awful lot from kiddies without batting an eyelid. AFAIK they're generally fairly healthy too. On the down side they do need a lot (a LOT) of exercise, but a good, brisk, hour walk daily and maybe half an hour of fetch should be ok.

Cutie18Ireland

Have you considered a rescue dog? Maybe contact your local rescue and say you are looing for a dog who is good with kids and cats. They will know the temperment of the dog..
Also I would try not to get too hung up on what certain breeds are supposed to like/ not like. I had a westie here who was completly different temperment to what westies are usually like. I also have poms, people are forever saying poms shouldnt be with children. Female pom i have who is almost 2 spent all her time with a toddler loves kids..

meoklmrk91

Personally I would go for a larger dog as they are more sturdy and therefore reliable around kids, just because they are bigger doesn't mean they will need more exercise either. Every dog needs exercise regardless of it's size.

Firstly I would stay away from terriers they are notoriously tempermental, not viscous, just grumpy when they want to be.

Shih tzus and bichons are both lovely dogs, and will have a fabulous temperament if they are not spoiled. The trick with a little dog is to treat them like a big dog. These are fav's of puppy farmers as they sell well. I have noticed a lot of Shih tzus in particular with health problems in the last few years because of this, lots skin problems, even saw a two year old with hip dysplasia not so long ago so just make sure you go to a good breeder who health checks their dogs. Her poor owner like yourself was a family man and he was close to tears, felt so bad for him.

I think the miniature schnauzer should also get an honorable mention, lovely dogs and even though they aren't White they are still real cuties.

Almost all dogs will cost you money with the vets at some point, the easiest way to safeguard yourself is to get pet insurance it will give you great peace of mind. And once they are insured before any issues arise they are covered for up to. €4,000 per condition, per year. And all you will have to pay is the premium which is usually around a €100.

Cherry Blossom

There is no such thing as a dog breed that has no health issues OP. Since this seems to be your major concern the key to this is researching what the breed is prone to, ask breeders about these conditions and find out if there are tests in existence for the individual problems, if so decent breeders will have their dogs tested before breeding them and shouldn't breed from them if the results aren't good.

I have no experience of miniature schnauzers but I've been hearing a lot of good things about them lately (on and off the forum).