If you are thinking about getting a West Highland White Terrier, it is important that you know as much as possible about them before making a final decision of any kind. These dogs can make excellent companions, but it is imperative that you do your research so you will be totally prepared when you finally get one of your own.
Personality
Westies are very active and curious dogs with great personalities that are perfect for individual owners as well as families. Because these dogs are so spunky, you will need to make sure that yours gets an adequate amount of exercise on a daily basis. These energetic dogs bark at just about everything they see, making them great watchdogs. If you are planning on getting one of these dogs, you should also plan to pay for professional training so yours doesn’t drive you crazy with its constant barking.
These dogs definitely have a natural instinct for hunting small rodents, so you can be sure that your property will be kept free of them if you allow your dog to roam around outside the house. Westies are very friendly, loving dogs, making them the perfect choice for a family with children.
Behavioral Traits
One of the biggest and most common complaints among those who own West Highland White Terriers is that they are very loud and tend to bark a lot, so you will definitely need to keep this in mind when you are trying to decide whether or not one might be right for you. These dogs make excellent watch dogs, as they are constantly on alert. With the proper training and socialization, you can minimize the amount of barking that your dog does. Anyone who gets one of these dogs will definitely need to get it trained, because otherwise it will be hard to keep your sanity.
Training
Because Westies do tend to bark quite a bit, you will most likely want to pay to have yours trained. These dogs usually do not like being told what to do, so training one yourself can prove to be quite difficult. It is highly recommended that you find a good professional trainer in the area so you won’t have to worry about your dog constantly barking, which can get very annoying after a while. If these dogs are not socialized they can become aggressive, which is why it’s so crucial for you to get your dog used to being around lots of different people and dogs.
The earlier you start training your dog or pay to have it trained, the better your chances will be of seeing results with regards to its overall behavior. If you want your dog to behave properly for you, training is a must. Although it is true that Westies can be quite stubborn, they are well worth the time and effort or expense if you decide to hire a professional. Those who buy a Westie should expect it to require extensive training for a number of reasons.
Activity Requirements
It is important to keep in mind that these dogs require a lot of regular activity in order to stay happy and healthy. While these dogs may be small, that doesn’t mean that you can slack on playing with them and keeping them active. These dogs need to be walked on a daily basis or else they will go stir crazy and you will suffer as a result. If you are planning on getting one of these dogs but live in an apartment or do not have a fenced in back yard, you will definitely need to take them to the park.
You will also find that Westies need to stay engaged in activities that give them a productive way to channel all of their energy or else you can expect yours to chew up your furniture and everything else in your home. It is crucial that you take your Westie out for walks on a daily basis as well as to the park so it can get some exercise while socializing with people and other dogs.
Regular exercise is an absolute requirement for Westies, so you will definitely want to find different ways to keep yours engaged. Take your Westie to a local dog park if there is one in your area. These parks will provide your dog with the chance to socialize with other dogs while getting the exercise it needs to stay happy and healthy for a very long time.