Page 28 - ShowSight Presents The West Highland White Terrier

squirrels out the window. I had a girl that loved TV and would watch that especially when her favorite ads came on, preferably something with action such as horses or animals doing their act. She could tell by the music starting the ad and she would come from anywhere in the house at a full run, skidding around the corners.
Westies were bred by Scotsmen for hunting vermin of all shapes and sizes. You can read their history in various books about Westies. My favorites are Earthdog Ins & Outs by Jo Ann Frier-Murza and The New West Highland White Terrier by Daphne S. Gentry. Westies are hardy, focused on what interests them at the moment and loyal to the one they are with. Westies are adaptable to change and bore easily, something to keep in mind while housebreaking, encouraging performance activities such as agility, rally, earthdog, tracking and yes, even obedience. They work for food, not for your approval. They love the one they are with, if that one has the treats. A Westie will always be nearby no matter what you are doing: showering, napping, watching TV, or at your com- puter, but not so much in your lap unless it is their idea. Again, this not every Wes- tie, but I have found these to be the most prevalent features of their personality and what really endears them to people who want a dog that is somewhat independent and comedic.
Westie males love the female humans and female Westies control the man in the family. Males are more apt to want to please and show more affection while females are wondering what is in it for them. Manipulative, charming and con- niving little girls they are. Nothing is too good for them as far as daddy is concerned.
Each breed of dog has certain char- acteristics which are appealing or not so appealing depending on the wants and needs of the person seeking a companion. Perhaps you will extend the relationship beyond companionship to being partners in performance or even breed competition. By this I am referring to what motivates an individual to be interested in a Westie or a particular breed of dog. Often times the person has known someone who has a Westie or maybe grew up with Westies
so are familiar with the breed. They have had personal experience, been up close and personal with Westies or maybe they have seen one on a commercial or in a car or a park and think they are oh so cute. And they are, “oh so cute”. A person or family may decide that the Westie is the dog they want. They then go in pursuit of finding a puppy which is “oh so cute”. Each and every dog in a breed will have certain characteristics which are associ- ated with that breed. When researching a breed of dog, often times the person may have in mind that the “oh so cute” dog may be like a stuffed toy when in reality they were bred to hunt down and destroy vermin. Some Westies may not take kindly to being coddled and held tightly for more than a couple of minutes. Westies, on the whole, fit into the latter category, that of
not being a “lap dog”. Most of the time, Westies will love to be in your lap as long as it is their idea. As I said, it is in their nature to be very close to their person. No matter what you may be doing—sitting at the computer, watching TV, taking a walk or sleeping—your Westie will be close by.
After you have your puppy and have decided to train it, the first thing to know is that your puppy is ever so smart and may be training you. Westies are fun dogs and you will get more out of a Westie if you understand how they think. They work for food and get bored easily, so give your Westie treats and make it fun and they will be more apt to do what it is you desire them to do. Most Terriers will chase anything that moves, so keep in mind that yourdogmustbekeptonaleadorina fenced area. They are quick and at times
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2014 • 229