With the fascination of Poodle mixes becoming a strong phenomenon, there are more and more mixed breed hybrids appearing. The Westiepoo is no exception. But what exactly is the Westiepoo mix and how has it warmed itself up to our hearts?
Before we look at this endearing breed, you must first take a look at its background. To fully understand this mixed breed, we have to study up on its two origins, the West Highland White Terrier and the Poodle.
The Origins and Description of the West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier, also known as the “Westie”, is a short-legged terrier out of Scotland. According to the American Kennel Club, this breed was established in order to combat rodent infestations, where rats carried diseases and ram sacked their grain.
The appearance of the Westie started to change in the 1700s, where Malcolm clam began breeding them to be white “earth-doggies”, which King James I so lovingly called them. The AKC first recognized the breed in the year 1906.
Size
For males, the Westie stands approximately 10 to 12 inches tall, or 25 to 30 centimeters, whereas the females are commonly between 9 to 11 inches or 23 to 28 centimeters.
As for the weight, the males typically range from 15 to 22 pounds, or 7 to 10 kilograms. The females, on the other hand, weigh in at about 13 to 15 pounds, or 6 to 7 kilograms.
The West Highland White Terrier has a life expectancy of around 13 to 15 years with the correct amount of proper nutrition and exercise.
Coat
Westies are known for their double coat, which helped to protect them from both unfavorable weather and rodent attacks. As the name suggests, this breed sports a stark white coat, but can also have sandy hues in rare circumstances.
The frequency of grooming to be expected should be daily as they can become dirty pretty quickly. They shed less than other terriers, they are not “hypoallergenic”, meaning that they can leave potential allergens around the house.
Temperament
This breed is known to be full of personality, with a lively and loyal temperament. Being a terrier, it is not all that surprising that they can be stubborn and drawn to certain sights while out on walks.
In summation, the West Highland White Terrier is a breed out of Scotland that was bred to withstand the cold weather and the attacks of rats. They are not hypoallergenic with a double coat that should be groomed daily.
The Poodle has some similar qualities to the Westie.
The Origin and Description of the Poodle
Pedigree talks about the historical Poodle that was originally bred as a water retriever in the early 17th Century Europe. Their coat would allow their bodies to keep from shutting down in the cold waters.
Size
The Poodle comes in three sizes including toy, miniature and standard. The Westiepoo comes the miniature Poodle in particular that can be found from 11 to 15 inches in height and 15 to 17 pounds in weight.
Coat
This breed usually has wavy, soft hair that is hypoallergenic. It does require consistent grooming and can come in a variety of colors such as brown, white and black.
Temperament
The personality of a Poodle is typically alert, intelligent, loyal and active. They bond quickly with their owners, making training an easy task.
Knowing some background on the two breeds that made the Westiepoo allows for a better understanding on the mix breed. Now let’s look at the hybrid itself.
All About the Westiepoo
The Beginning of the Westiepoo
The Pet Guide remarks on how recently this breed originated, which was in the early 1970s in the United States. Interestingly, the more well-known Poodle hybrid, the Cockapoo, began being sold as early as 1960, not far before the Westiepoo.
Although the name suggests that it is a mixture, it is so popular that a Westiepoo puppy can have two parents with the same hybrid. In other words, the mix breed is becoming more similar to that of a pure bred.
Which Group is it Does it Belong to?
This hybrid is not yet recognized as its own pure breed. The two mixes incorporated in the Westiepoo are a terrier and a retriever, making this dog somewhere in between, though it is used primarily for companionship.
The Westiepoo can’t be recognized by the American Kennel Club as it isn’t a pure breed but it has become a member of the American Canine Hybrid Club and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club under the name of “Wee-Poo”.
The Typical Westiepoo “Look”
Owning a mixed breed means you may not know whether or not he or she will take after the mom or the dad. There are, however, a few characteristics that have become the Westiepoo appearance, many of which can be found in the list below.
• Small, expressive eyes
• Button nose from the Westie
• Low-hanging, fluffy ears from the Poodle
• Wavy, white coat resembling cotton candy
Size
The Westiepoo is about 15 to 17 inches in height at the shoulders and weighs approximately 20 to 30 pounds, depending on the gender of the individual.
Life Span
It is common for a dog of this mixed breed to live from 12 to 15 years with the proper care.
Coat
The coat of a Westiepoo is described by Dog Appy to be curly, short and soft with white being the primary color choice. There are other options such as black, brown, or red that occasionally may have white patches.
An interesting fact about the coloration is that a puppy of this mixed breed is more likely to have a more non-traditional color if they have parents of mixed origins. First-generation litters with a Miniature Poodle and a West Highland White Terrier are more likely to sport a white coat.
This breed requires medium-maintenance due to the frequent brushing and occasional baths. Their fur is non-hypoallergenic yet still requires grooming.
Personality and Temperament
The Westiepoo’s temperament will be greatly impacted depending on which traits are inherited from the parents. As far as the mixed breed goes, they are affectionate, confident, active and intelligent.
Health
These dogs are relatively healthy because of their breeding. It is still important to help them maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Possible Genetic Diseases
According to All About Dogs, the Westiepoo is usually healthy. They can, however, be more likely to have liver diseases, chronic skin problems, or retinal atrophy and other issues, that are listed below.
• Patellar luxation
• Hip dysplasia
• Cushing’s Disease
• Epilepsy
Socialization
This hybrid is good with other dogs and do not tend to become aggressive unless irritated.
The Westiepoo is not the best match for a young family as they have been known to react poorly when aggravated by the teasing of a child. Those with older children who know how to properly treat an animal may benefit more from this breed.
As for strangers, the Westiepoo is not all that welcoming. They take a while to become trusting and will become reactive if threatened.
Behavioral Tendencies and Problems
Due to the strong hunting drive, this mixed breed is susceptible to chase when seeing a squirrel on their midday stroll. They also can be more cautious when compared to the Goldendoodle, another well-loved Poodle hybrid.
Barking
Many owners are concerned about whether or not their dog will bark when presented with stimuli. The Westiepoo does not bark at anything, reserving their vocalizations to anything that is truly upsetting them.
Feeding
The food requirements of a Westiepoo is what is to be expected of a medium-sized dog. They generally consume roughly 2 cups of food each day.
Heat and Cold Tolerances
These dogs are adaptable to most temperatures from their shorter hair. Some Westiepoo’s can have inherited a heavier Poodle coat, where they would quickly become susceptible to hotter weather.
Living Requirements
This Westiepoo mix is a breed well suited for small apartments and an indoor lifestyle. Their small size allows them to be taken out on the occasional walk, which will meet their outdoor requirements.
Exercise
Although this is a dog content to stay indoors the majority of the day, it still needs to be exercised as they are relatively active. If you prefer to stay indoors, interact them in a game of chase to burn off excess energy.
An enclosed yard is also a great addition to have for a Westiepoo. Be careful when letting them out, however, as their small size can be attractive to wild animals such as hawks or foxes.
The daily walk is another way to meet their exercise needs and does not need to be long. Be mindful that they do have a strong hunting instinct and need to be closely watched.
Puppies
West Highland White Terriers generally sell for about 800 to 1000 dollars, while Poodles range from 1000 to 1500 dollars. The Westiepoo puppy has a higher average, ranging from 140 to 4000 dollars.
Training
The Westiepoo is an intelligent mixed breed and requires early socialization combined with obedience training. They respond well to training sessions that are consistent, fair and patient.
Housebreaking
Although these dogs are quite intelligent, they do not respond as well to housetraining as one might believe. This can time more time than other breeds, but may be less challenging when done with crate training.
The Ideal Owner for a Westiepoo
If you meet any or all of the following characteristics, then a Westiepoo may be the best choice for your next dog.
• A family with older children
• Relatively active individual
• Apartment or house with an optional yard
• Able to put the time into housetraining
• Want a loyal dog
• Allergic to dander and fur
This loveable mixed breed takes on the attributes of a Miniature Poodle and the West Highland White Terrier with a usually white coat that is wavy and hypoallergenic. They are loyal to their families and incredibly smart, making them ideal for anyone wanting an active, observant terrier-like dog. With a sporty, medium-sized dog that is suited for indoor living, it’s no wonder that they’re cherished.