Page 14 - ShowSight Presents The West Highland White Terrier
P. 14
OWNING A
FWEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER
By Allison Platt
rom the first time I ever of Westies, so I will consider how the Wes- purpose as a breed explains their tempera- saw a West Highland tie is to live with, their health, and what ment, which is outgoing, self-confident, White Terrier when I was they are capable of outside the show ring. and occasionally pugnacious if provoked. in my twenties, it was love The endearing aspects of their person- at first sight, and I have Breed Purpose & Temperament alities include curiosity, intelligence and never seriously considered Westies are big dogs in small bodies, playfulness. Most Westies are devoted
another breed since then. If you are con- and like most terriers, they think they own to their owners and are happy to lounge
sidering adding one to your life, there are many reasons why you might want one. You might be considering purchasing your first show dog, or a new breed to show if you are a breeder/exhibitor. You might want a pet for yourself or your family. I have owned, bred and shown Westies for more than 30 years, and although they are the perfect breed for me, they are not for everyone. In this article I hope to give you enough information to know if Westies are the right breed for you. My colleague Ger- ry Meisels has an article elsewhere in this issue about the conformation and judging
the world. This is a natural outgrowth of their original purpose, which was to rid farmers in Scotland of rodents and hunt small animals such as badger and fox. To do this, they had to be fearless, small enough and tough enough to follow often dangerous animals to ground, tenacious, and loud barkers (it was their job to follow or find animals in their underground dens and bark loud enough that the farmers could dig to them and dispatch the game).
The standard says they should have “large teeth for their size” which they needed for this dangerous work. Their
beside (or on) you in quiet moments. I have seenoneofmydogstakeatoyanduseitto bat around another toy so they could then chase it, or roll on their back and hold a toy in their paws.
Westies of all ages love to wrestle and play keep-away with toys, often sound- ing ferocious but meaning no harm. Be warned, however, that if you get a Westie and then ignore him, he will make up his own amusements, and you may not like his choices (digging, chewing the furni- ture, etc.). To be healthy and happy, Wes- ties need exercise, alpha leadership, and
“The endearing aspects of their personalities include
CURIOSITY, INTELLIGENCE
AND PLAYFULNESS.”
“Snowdogs” © 2009, Allison Platt. Photo by Mary Bradley.
