María Allen
# 13 Nevertheless, he is now used exclusively as a house and family dog, who occasionally vents his hunting instinct on playground equipment as well as on small animals that he tracks down in the wild.
The most important prerequisite for acquiring a healthy West Highland White Terrier is reputable breeding. You can find clubs and breeders, for example, at the Association for German Dogs (VDH). Breeders who value the health of the animals and do not want to sell them as "fashion dogs" ensure that possible hereditary diseases are excluded from breeding. For the Westie breed, these include Skin allergies or so-called craniomandibular osteopathy, which is a bone disease in the head and especially in the jaw area.
A hardy and healthy West Highland White Terrier has an average life expectancy of around 12-16 years.
# 14 As a house dog, he is popular thanks to his uncomplicated attitude; he is modest and gets along well in a small apartment with sufficient physical and mental workload.
Whether puppy, adult, or senior: West Highland White Terriers of all ages need the right food. It should consist of a high proportion of meat and contain as little grain as possible. The breeder will be happy to give you information about food for puppies. In addition to age, you should also consider your dog's weight and activity level. Remember, treats also have calories and shouldn't be overconsumed, even if you mean well to your pet.
# 15 The ancestors of the cheerful West Highland White Terrier – also known as the Westie – are hunting terriers such as the Cairn Terrier, which was used in Scotland in the 19th century to hunt foxes.
The dark terriers were ideal in the Scottish Highlands for following their prey into the burrow because of their small and agile bodies. White terriers, on the other hand, were initially undesirable, they were more likely to be considered unfit for work. It was only through breeding by Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm that the West Highland White became established Terrier great popularity - not as a hunting dog, but as a fashion dog, especially in the 1990s. But the active Westie is definitely not a lap dog. This alert four-legged friend has a pronounced hunting instinct, which is typical for terrier breeds. As a British breed, the West Highland White Terrier has been officially recognized by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale).