What are you looking for in a West Highland White Terrier (Westie)?

A beautiful animal? A good family pet? A good obedience worker? A good earth dog? There are Westies that fit each description, and some that fit all of these descriptions. Westies also work as hearing dogs, as therapy dogs, as tracking dogs, appear in commercials and advertisements, and are preferred by people who want a large dog in a small package. Westies are fun loving and spirited, and have a sense of humor.

They have "no small amount of self esteem," which is 90% endearing and 10% maddening. His hard, "dry" coat sheds only a little, is easy to clean, and has no "doggy" odor. There is no question that the West Highland White Terrier is a versatile and remarkable breed.

Before you even start looking at litters of puppies, take time to learn about the breed. Attend dog shows and earthdog tests, Westie Club meetings, and Singapore kennel club meetings, and talk with and question Westie owners. They are proud of their dogs and are happy to share their enthusiasm.

Look around. It is much easier to find a "puppy mill" or "backyard breeder" that knows and cares little about the welfare of the breed than it is to find a reputable breeder.

You want a sound, healthy puppy who will grow up to be a sound, healthy representative of the breed. Careful selection now will save heartache and money later. Poor quality puppies are produced by people who breed their pets just to have a litter, or by profit seekers who give little thought to quality, looks or temperament in the puppies they produce. Many of these indiscriminately bred puppies have health problems, poor temperaments, and/or breed disqualifications. Remember, you are choosing a companion for the next ten to fifteen years.


Price

A poorly-bred six-week-old puppy selling for any price is no bargain! Chances are that the parents were not tested free of hereditary defects, that the puppies had little if any veterinary care, and that they were not given the proper socialization and TLC needed to raise a healthy litter of Westie puppies. Please check with several breeders or regional Westie clubs to learn more about current prices for a sound, healthy, properly raised pet from good parentage sold on a spay/neuter contract. Show and breeding prospects will be more expensive, and prices vary depending on the area of the country in which the breeder is located.

Our observation

Local-bred Westies usually goes for about $1200 onwards. Imported Westies (mainly from Australia, UK) cost from around $1500 - $2200. Pedigree/ Pure-bred Dogs can sometimes fetch $2000 - $3000.

Male or Female

Temperamentally, there is very little difference between the sexes in Westies. Each has its pros and cons. There is a cross-over and always the exception to the rule. Spayed and neutered animals do not have many of the negative characteristics of their sex. Males can be easily trained to use a urination post in the garden, thus keeping the garden healthy and odor free. Many fanciers find the males to be more affectionate. Stronger urine odor can be reduced by adding 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to a male dogs food. Females are slightly smaller, are not as strong, and are therefore easier to walk and carry.

CHOOSING A REPUTABLE BREEDER

Choosing a reputable breeder is very important. Since it would be almost impossible for you to know what the puppy you are buying will grow up to be physically and emotionally, you must rely on your faith in the person from whom you are purchasing your puppy. There are three options open to you in choosing this person.

Pet Shop or Dealer

The worst possible choice. (In Singapore, there isnt much of a choice as Westies are a very popular breed (expensive too), and most pet shop dealers are profit-orientated driven). The puppies are poorly bred and raised. They are thought of as merchandise to be sold for a high profit. The high profit results because little has been put into the breeding or the care of the puppies. Many are sickly. Pet shops rely heavily on impulse buying, which is not the way to choose a dog as an addition to the family.

Backyard Breeder

Also a poor choice. This is the person who owns a pet Westie and thinks it would be "fun" to have puppies, that it would be a great experience for the children, or that the bitch should be bred once before she is spayed. Even worse, perhaps, its being done just to make money. Usually this breeder knows little about the Breed Standard or history of the breed, and still less about proper care.

The casual breeder does not have annual eye examinations done by a Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, and does not send hip X-rays to the Vet for evaluation and registration. The backyard breeder is not aware of breed problems, and doesnt care. Often the quality of the dogs being bred is poor. This persons only goal is to produce puppies and when the "fun" is over, sell them quickly.

Serious Hobby Breeder

This is very best choice. The serious and dedicated hobby breeder regards his/her dogs as even more than a hobby, although the true fancier does not expect to make a profit. When someone is involved in dogs for the enjoyment of each individual animal, for participating in any of the many aspects of "dog sport," and for the challenge of producing the finest animals possible, the result is superior. These breeders acknowledge responsibility for each and every puppy produced, and stand behind every dog they have bred.

Unequivocally, your choice should be from the ranks of the SERIOUS HOBBY BREEDER. It is an interesting fact that poor quality puppies from pet shops and backyard breeders are often sold for the same price and sometimes even more than those purchased from the serious hobby breeder. The question is:

How does one recognize the serious hobby breeder? Following is a list of requirements the breeder should meet before you consider purchasing a puppy. Dont be afraid to ask the breeder many questions. It is your right, and you can rest assured that the dedicated breeder will respond positively and with pride.

The BREEDER should

1. Belong to the unofficial West Highland White Terrier Lovers Club or the Singapore Kennel Club of Singapore, or an all-breed club. Ideally, he/she should belong to all three; however, sometimes this is impossible. The reason for this requirement is that this sort of participation indicates depth of involvement. This breeder is exposed to other points of view, learns more about the breed and modern breeding practices, and is kept up-to-date on SKC rules and regulations.


2. Be involved in showing his/her dogs in the breed ring, the obedience ring, earthdog tests, or in a combination of all three. The reason for this requirement is that it means that the breeder is not breeding in a vacuum. The breeder who does not participate has no idea how good his/her dogs really are, and is deprived of the opportunity to share information and ideas with others. Showing provides the competition, which encourages breeders to produce better dogs. The breeder who competes wants to prove how good his/her dogs are and is putting his/her breeding program on the line. This breeder is not relying on just a pedigree to indicate quality. Even if you do not want a competition animal, you deserve a pet that was the end result of a carefully planned litter; a puppy which received the same care as a potential champion. The breeder who competes in organized activities is known by others and has a reputation to uphold. This breeder will be as careful and honest in selling you your pet puppy as in selling show stock.


3. Ask you what kind of dogs you have had in the past, and what happened to them; whether or not you have a fenced yard; and whether or not the dog will be allowed to be a house dog and member of the family. Sincere breeders will be a bit hesitant to sell you a puppy until they know more about you, what you are looking for in a dog, and what "life style" you have in mind for your dog. Having the best interest of the puppy at heart, to say nothing of yours and theirs, reputable breeders will take great pains to place puppies properly the first time around. A returned puppy is a traumatic experience for all concerned so the breeder who is always willing to accept a puppy back will try to make certain that a West Highland White Terrier is the breed for you.

4. Give you a period of time (not the usual 24 hours) in which to allow you to have the puppy examined by a veterinarian to determine its state of health, so that both of you are assured as to the condition of the puppy at the time of sale. If a problem should arise, it can then be quickly resolved.


5. Be able to give you references: the names of people who have purchased puppies in the past, the names of other breeders, and the veterinarian who provides care for the breeders dogs.

6. Be willing to answer your questions about any possible hereditary problems. They should be able to explain the various screenings for the diseases, which are most common in Westies.

7. Be able to show you a clean environment; healthy, well-socialized puppies; and a dam with a good temperament. You should avoid:


o shy, whimpering, fearful puppies;

o puppies with dull coats, crusty or running eyes, signs of diarrhea, rashes or sores on their abdomens;

o signs of neglect, such as lack of water, pans of uneaten food, and dirty conditions;

o a breeder who will sell a puppy under eight weeks of age, as early separation from the dam and litter mates can be very detrimental both psychologically and physically;

o a breeder who lets you handle a very young puppy, as there is a real risk of transmitting disease before puppies are vaccinated.

8. Provide you with a record of the dates and types of vaccinations and worming done, feeding instructions, a 3- to 5-generation pedigree (if applicable) , and a "white slip" to apply for a license with the Agri-food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (http://ava-edls.calendarone.com/) . If there are no registration papers, you will have to apply for a breed-certificate with the Singapore Kennel Club. (If you intend to show your dog)

9. Give you written instructions on feeding, training, and care. There are many books that are useful; some are listed elsewhere on this website.

10. Provide some sort of written contract and/or conditions of sale. Any warranty of quality or health of the dogs, and any warranty against development of hereditary problems or show-ring disqualifications in an animal intended for showing or breeding, should be in writing. The warranty should be absolutely explicit, and a signed copy should be provided to each party. Both pedigree and registration papers are provided by reputable breeders at no extra charge. The practice of charging extra for "papers" is forbidden and should be reported. This should not be confused with withholding papers until the dog has been spayed or neutered, which is how puppies not purchased for showing/breeding are sold by most reputable breeders.


11. Make it clear that his/her responsibility continues long after you have taken your puppy home, and in fact as long as the dog is alive. Many dedicated breeders will ask that the dog be returned to them or placed with new owners who meet their approval, if ever for any reason you are unable to keep the dog. Theyll cheerfully be available for advice whenever needed, and can ease your way over many rough spots. If your breeder meets all of these requirements you are in good hands. If you find yourself with a negative response to any of these requirements, think twice and discuss the situation with someone else. Dont be impulsive and do ask questions.