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Dear Westie and Doggie Lovers,
Thank you for visiting the westie lovers club webpage. We hope that the informative links and complimentary services will be of benefit to the welfare of the dog owners.
For more information, please feel free to contact us at Westie_Lovers_Club@westiemail.com.
Thank you for your support.
With Westies Lover & Regards,
The President
Westie Lovers Club of Singapore 
The Terrier Group People familiar with this Group invariably comment on the distinctive terrier personality. These are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from fairly small, as in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the grand Airedale Terrier.
Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Their ancestors were bred to hunt and kill vermin. Many continue to project the attitude that they're always eager for a spirited argument.
Most terriers have wiry coats that require special grooming known as stripping in order to maintain a characteristic appearance. In general, they make engaging pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs' lively characters.
  The Westie of today, is quite different from its forebears. His day was spent hunting in a pack, with his cousins, the Cairn. He was originally bred down from the Cairn around 1880 and in January 1905, the West Highland White Terrier Club was formed. The following year the Kennel Club recognised the breed and the breed standard was set in 1928 and revised in 1948 In 1907 classes for Westies were held at Crufts and the breed was entered into the English Kennel Club's Stud book. Westies were first shown in Australia at the Sydney Royal in 1927. NSW formed the first Club in Australia in 1963 and then in 1978 Melbourne was foundered.
Every day is an adventure with owning a Westie. His favourite pastime is fossicking about the bushes looking to see what he can get his nose into, digging in the garden beds or the lawns. If given the chance to live in the country, would be chasing rabbits. They are quite territorial, and are ready to chase the neighbours cat. Another favourite pastime in the summer months is possum watching, waiting for them to come down into the trees and run along the garden fence. If possums venture too close, bingo! When it comes to that time of the year, they become quite vocal, I suggest that you bring them in early so they won't disturb the neighbours.
As baby puppies they love to dig, chew on your shoes, garden plants, roses with thorns, etc. just like other puppies. Some Westies like to climb where as others are quite sedate. Suggest if you value your garden plants, put up a barrier. Training of your Westies should start when you get your puppy home. Remember he is a pack dog and you should be the leader of the pack, otherwise they can become quite dominant.
Westies are quite sparky, with a varmity appearance, with piercing dark eye, strongly built, a smart little dog with no small amount of self-esteem. He is not a lap dog, but does like to jump up for a short while to say "I'm still here". He has powerful hindquarters, and a strong will; if you pick him up and he doesn't want to be held, he will strike out with his hind legs. He can be quite easily trained and with patience and reinforced training can be an ideal obedience dog. Since 1978, 8 Westies have qualified for Companion Dog to Utility Dog in Australia.
The Westie today is suitable for all families, a hardy, outgoing little dog who loves being with you, enjoys good brisk walks on the lead (they have no road sense); travelling in the car, a couch-potato, or just sitting at your feet. He is a happy little chap, always inquisitive, full of fun and mischief. Suitable for a small garden, is this compact small terrier. Long lived between twelve and eighteen years. He can be quite boisterous for the older person, if you've not owned a young puppy before. May I suggest to the older person if they would like to own a Westie do talk to the breeders, as they may be able to help you acquire a "past the puppy age" companion which would love going for the walks and live in a one-on-one household.
To keep your Westie looking good, he needs to be groomed with a comb and brush on a daily basis. He has two coats, consisting of a soft undercoat and a harsh outer coat. His coat protects him from the harsh weather. If you don't groom him regularly, I assure you that matting will occur in the undercoat. He will then have to visit the grooming parlour to have his coat and mats cut out and this will detract from the smart looking little dog. Most grooming parlours don't know how to trim Westies, resulting in them looking like a "white Scottie", which they're not. When you buy your puppy from the breeder, they will teach you how to look after the coat. He doesn't shed his coat, like other breeds and needs to be stripped/trimmed and/or scissoring etc at least twice a year. Washing your Westies can cause skin problems by washing out its natural oils. When his coat gets muddy, allow drying and the dirt will brush out. To whiten his coat, just brush in some calcium-carbonate powder (chalk) and then brush it out.
The ideal height is 28cm (11") and weight about 8.2kg (18lbs). He enjoys his food, and will cost about $10 a week to feed. You will need to watch his weight and some tend to get a bit chubby after they have been desexed if not regularly exercised.
The only disadvantage of owning a Westie, is looking after the coat. Owners are not taught by some breeders in how to cope with the coats, which can be overcome with practice.
You may be interested in a West Highland White Terrier (or known as a Westie) for a variety of reasons ... as a pet, a show dog, an obedience competitor, a working dog, or a combination of these things. Whatever your objective you, the dogs owner, will be responsible for the care and training that will enable your Westie to fulfill its potential.
A Westie is an all white, compact, sturdy package of frolicsome energy, looking for some fun. His ears stand up naturally. His tail is short by natures design. As adults, males measure about 11 inches in height with bitches being about 1 inch less. The breed was developed for the hard and dangerous work of destroying vermin.
The Westies coat is double to protect him from the elements and from the teeth and claws of his quarry in the hunt. The outer coat is hard with softer undercoat for insulation. Puppies may have more of the softer undercoat, but with proper hand stripping, the hard coat will emerge. The adult coat sheds lightly, so he must be brushed to remove the dead hair. This coat is a "dry" rather than oily coat so that it does not absorb soil readily or have a marked "doggy" odor.
A Westie needs very few baths. The hard outer coat is easily kept clean with a brush and occasional dry cleaning. This is done by brushing white powdered chalk or cornstarch into the coat. When the powder is brushed out, the soil comes with it.
A Westie kept as a pet requires grooming every eight to twelve weeks for a tidy appearance. A weekly or bi-weekly schedule is necessary for the dog appearing in the show ring.
If you want a cuddly lapdog, a Westie may not be the right breed for you. Many are too independent to be held for long periods. While they like to be in close proximity, most find a corner of the room or near a heater vent to be ideal. However, there are some exceptions and it is independent of the sex of the dog.
If someone in your household is an avid gardener, you may want to avoid a Westie or any one of the other terrier breeds. They are "earth dogs" and do like to dig. If your heart is otherwise set on the Westie, there are ways to accommodate the family gardener and his enthusiastic Westie "helper." A designated and/or restricted area should be designed into your garden plans. (Private Residential Estates)
If you want a one-man dog, prefer cats to dogs, or arent home much, you shouldn't get a Westie. Westies are very people-oriented and like being with you whenever possible. While they do not require a huge amount of exercise, they can get bored and look for trouble when they do not get enough attention and human companionship.
Most people prefer to get a young puppy and raise it themselves. This can be very rewarding, but also time consuming and sometimes frustrating. Other people prefer a dog that is out of puppy hood and has already been "civilized." This page will discuss the pros and cons of both, and how to select a Westie of any age.
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