Good Westie Advice!

**Remember, a Westie is not for everyone. If you are a first-time dog owner or a family with small children, you might want to look for a non-terrier breed.

**Terriers are bred to hunt, so they are independent thinkers, which can make them stubborn. So as with most terriers, Westies require a firm but loving hand.

**As for children, the quick, unrestrained movements of pre-schoolers can result in a child being nipped or more seriously bitten by a dog who simply was reacting on instinct. Rule of thumb: terriers and toddlers seldom are a good mix!

**Westies generally have great temperments. They are small but sturdy, and with their "big dog" mentalities they definitely are not a frou-frou breed. They are happy dogs by nature, and happiest when they can be with their people.

**Westies have very little dander, so are a good breed for people with pet allergies. They also do not shed much, but they are prone to skin allergies.

**As a breed, Westies are gregarious dogs. They love to play and to cuddle, and most have never met a stranger. However, as with any rescue dog, it's frequently impossible to know what their lives were like before, so some come with baggage that will require time, love and patience to unpack.

**A fenced yard is preferred for a Westie because even though they are strictly indoor dogs these days, most do love the outdoors. Being a terrier, some will be diggers, and no mole will be safe. Others will be barkers, ready to attack a falling leaf. But if you aren't outside with them, they very soon will be begging to come in.

**Westies generally are very intelligent dogs and fairly easy to train, but it will take consistency on your part to get the results you want. A good resource for finding out more about Westies is www.thedogspeaks.com --you'll find lots of helpful info there.

**If after reading this you decide a Westie is right for you, then prepare to lose your heart to the breed forever. Westies are truly wonderful dogs and make great pets -- just not for everybody.


As you know I have already lost my heart to this Breed. I love my Baylie and even though sometimes she's a handful, I would never trade her for any other dog. I found this advice on petfinder.com which i regularly check and inquire on adopting/rescuing a sibling for Baylie. Just watch this video...makes me wanna have TWO!