West Highland White Terrier

(Jrt)

West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier, more commonly known as "westie", is a breed of dogs Scottish known for its personality. It is the mascot of the brand of Scotch whisky Black & White and the brand of dog food for Caesar.

History
The Westie terrier the east of Scotland's newest, though dogs of the same type have been identified since the seventeenth century under the name of white doggies. Its two ancestors are so sure the Cairn Terrier, and hypothetically the Bichon Maltese, a survivor of the sinking of the Spanish Armada in the sixteenth century on the Isle of Skye. The latter is the cause of the colour white Westie.

The original puppies Cairn carrying this color were systematically removed at birth, as considered unfit for hunting.

This was the chance that was behind the creation of Westie. One day in the nineteenth century in Argyll Colonel Macolm of Poltalloch went to hunt rabbits with his Cairns, and accidentally killed his best dog he had confused with his prey. Most affected by this tragedy he decided from this day n'élever more than Cairns white so that no confusion does not happen again. With a selection of patient work on its Cairns fauves he won dogs colored sand very clear who were the first Westies. The color was not perfected until later.

The Westie was officially recognized in 1906 by the English Kennel Club. With the recognition of Cairn Terrier in 1912 the two races, which were at the time that two varieties, could interbreed. These crosses were banned in 1924 and Westie, who was then a "white Cairn", acquired its own characteristics towards a more sophisticated model, while Cairn remained in the type of origin.

Now with more than 2 500 annual births the Westie terrier the east of Scotland's most popular in France.


Character and lifestyle
It is a terrier, a true! The Westie has not reneged on its origins hunter of harsh regions of Scotland. Hunter ruthless vermin, it is a great athlete, perfect companion jogger. This is not an apartment dog. Large outflows in nature, or sports such as agility, make him the greatest good.

A home is a loving dog, and very crafty player. He has great need for companionship. It is very close to his master. This is not a watchdog, because it is fundamentally sociable and friendly to all.

The Westie is a fairly dominant dog, as his education must be conducted with firmness. But we should not expect to have an obedient dog as a shepherd, because it is not in his nature.

Interview
The westie should not be mowed, but épilé. Shearing gives a hair very soft and difficult to disentangle. It must therefore be reserved for elderly or sick dogs.

On a daily basis: Well untangle the hair under his belly, on his back, legs and between the hind legs. Brush in the opposite direction of the shoot. Do not wash it often (1 to 2 times per year), because the shampoo removes sebum essential for proper protection against skin infections. To keep it white, you can make him a sort of dry shampoo with calcium carbonate: sprinkle, to penetrate and brushing hair. The dog will be taken all at least 3 months at a groomer hair removal specialist. The hair removal is to remove the hair and death is not painful.

In the case of a westie exhibition, the work must be grooming quality and requires an artistic sense.

Health
Like all his cousins terriers the Westie is fundamentally very robust and resistant to diseases. It can live to 16 or 17 years without problems. But it can hear and dermatological problems, including seborrhea oily hair or fat, frequent past 7 years, and which necessitates the use of a monthly shampoo chlorhexidine, or allergies, a strong presence in this race.

Acquiring a Westie
Being a very popular race it seems easy to acquire a Westie, but unfortunately it is very difficult to find a good Westie. Many "breeders" professionals raising Westies in very poor conditions, a box, not practicing any selection, tearing puppies too young to their mother. That is why it is very important never to buy a pet Westie or breeding kennel, and always ask for a puppy entered the Book of french origins (LOF), which is a guarantee of selection and good health. It is therefore recommended to buy a Westie in an amateur breeder. The list of these breeders is obtained after fans of the canine Central Company (SCC). The farmer must give the buyer a birth certificate proving that the puppy is provisionally entered in LOF. This certificate is not the pedigree, but it guarantees the origin of the puppy. The birth certificate will be replaced by a pedigree, if the dog is accepted at the confirmation.

The shelters are also an excellent choice for buying a Westie.

Read also Yorkshire Terrier

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