A to Z about the Hypoallergenic West Highland White Terriers
The good news for those wanting to purchase or adopt a Westie is, the possibility of runny nose, watery eyes, hives and sneezing is greatly reduced with these adorable little dogs.
Dog lovers cannot resist for even a moment when a cuddly pooch crosses their vision. However, the buzzkill of this joyous elation is when your immunity decides that you are allergic to its fur. This article is for those dog lovers who are prone to allergic spells. For those of you looking for an energetic dog with almost no allergy-causing features and a companion for life, the Hypoallergenic West Highland White Terrier is the dog you seek!
About the Breed – West Highland Terriers
The West Highland White Terrier was originally bred in Scotland and is related to other Terriers such as the Cairn, the Scottish, and the Skye Terrier. This dog breed consisting of low hoisted terriers with short limbs was bred to hunt in the undulating terrain and unrelenting environment of Scotland. The nimble feted dogs could navigate easily through the gaps in the rocks and hence thrived there.
Also Read: Scratch Dog or Not – Are Maltese Hypoallergenic?
These canines belong to the Terrier group, shed less hair due to a hard and rough outer coat, drool less, and can be trained without a lot of effort. They are also filled with energy in their tiny limbed frame that live for around 12-16 years.
West Highland Terriers – The Hypoallergenic Coat
West Highland Terriers breed has a thick and rough outer coat. Such a coat is an absolute necessity to survive the harsh environments of Scotland. The dog weighs between six to ten kilograms, has a button nose and eyes that are covered mostly by its long fur. This breed has a good stable body with a great sense of their center of gravity and hence it is able to dash with a level body, while also being able to navigate with ease through the Scottish Highlands.
Getting to what makes it Hypoallergenic, the secret lies in that thick rough coat of hair that it robes itself with. The hair is arranged in one layer, and there is no undercoat or a secondary layer of smaller and irritant hair. In addition to this feature, the pupper sheds very little as the hair is rooted firmly into the skin and has almost no dandruff. That is double the reason to be free from those incessant sneezes and tears that some of you experience when you come close to a number of dog breeds.
The Nature of the West Highland Terriers Dog
The nature and spirit in these terriers vary greatly from dog to dog. While most of them are amicable and mingle well, even with kids, there are a few that value their personal space a lot. Terries need to be watched around children. The dogs are stern and are quick to lose their temper if someone plays with them a little too roughly. This short temper. They do show some great enthusiasm when given any play items such as toys or balls.
West Highland White Terriers is confident and individualistic. They are- loving, loyal family members that will take it upon themselves to keep watch and bark to warn caution when they sense any impending danger. These dogs are also quite energetic and nearly always on the move. They need time and space to look around and discover their surroundings, so the most optimal environment is a house with an average-sized, securely fenced in backyard. It is advisable to keep these dogs on a leash when you take them for a walk.
This is suggested because these dogs have a tendency to chase down any animal, or sometimes even kids, and cause a great commotion. Bladder training is also a must as these dogs have a small capacity.
West Highland Terriers – The Training
Raising your West Highland White Terrier is quite frequently a test of your patience. These dogs are very lively and can be very obstinate about things they are not fond of. A lively training session filled with rewards and praises is the way forward! Object permanence is a feature that this dog has, and therefore toys and balls can be used to have a play and train session. The average advisable length of the training session should be anywhere between 10-15 minutes to keep the pooch engaged for future assemblies of joy as well. Do not delay the training by any means. It should be initiated from the first day, and the rules of the house must be imprinted in their mind with no relent but no temper as well.
The common commands that most trainers suggest are the speak, sit, or fetch instruction. Once these basics are taken care of, an important one that you may need to teach is the “QUIET” command which you may need if your West Highland White Terrier is a proficient barker.
West Highland Terriers – The Emotional Attachment
West Highland White Terriers have been raised for company, and this makes them a very connected variety. They are known to run around in anxiety when not given attention but prefer a great deal of solitude as well. Give your dog a good amount of indoor and outdoor time. This could include leaving it in a room, or in a yard that has enough space to run around and is not big enough for it to escape. The latter is necessary only if your dog is not a mischievous one and would capitalize on the first opening to dash out into the wilderness of the city.
This devotion stretches to a feeling of duty towards defending its family. They tend to charge or bark at strangers and anyone they perceive to be a warning. This may infrequently get a little out of control, and therefore mandates proper training. As various dog trainers suggest, the “Speak” command to bark, only when a command word is used, is the perfect place to begin teaching it. As for the barking, proper discipline to keep a check on the immature passion in the dog is the best solution.
West Highland Terriers Dog – Hygiene and Care
The rough and resilient coat of the dog which gives the hypoallergenic coat is very easy to maintain. Unlike some of the other domesticated dogs that need daily care, brushing the dog’s hair once every 3-4 days is more than sufficient. This frequency of brushing keeps the sebaceous glands active and nourished the hair, while also keeping any possible pests on its body away. This brushing time spent helps to bond better with your dog, and apart from this, you could also notice any details on its body that are out of the ordinary such as bruises, rashes, et cetera.
The rough coat is designed by nature to expel any particle that soils its fur. This renders this dog a cleaner coat as compared to other dogs. It also does not interfere with bathing the dog so a bath given once every 7-10 days is sufficient. However, growing overly passionate about said sanitary manners is more dangerous than conducive to maintaining its health. The soaps or shampoos used are rough on the coat and the skin, and over a period of time may cause dermatitis or other skin conditions on your West Highland White Terriers.
Oral hygiene is still an absolute must, even though they do not drool a lot. The dogs may go and eat anything that they feel like and this may be a cause of poor oral hygiene. Also, veterinary dental costs are not reasonable by any means so better safe than sorry. Be certain to maintain the eyes and ears washed too. Do not ignore it by any means. The tears and relentless pacing may contract a lot of dirt on the hair of the dog. In addition to this, the ears need to be checked for any wax or foul-smelling discharge in case of any infection. Be vigilant when you are taking care of the dog for injuries because these canines may readily hurt themselves in their jaunty spirit.
Ideally, most of the dog’s overall care (brushing the hair, brushing the teeth, a keen observation around for injuries or illnesses, and others) demands to be carried out every three to four days or based on your convenience spreading it out to cover it twice a week. This is of supreme consequence to preserve the hypoallergenic characteristics of the West Highland White Terrier.
West Highland Terriers – Healthcare
The West Highland White Terrier has a proportionately large appetite for the amount of activity it does. The amount of food needed average, but it requires nutritious food at frequent periods. It also prefers to have meals at fixed times once it gets used to it.
Like any other dog, these pooches are prone to a few illnesses. However, they are more prone to non-infectious diseases that affect pooches. Most of these may occur due to allergies, a few occur due to age, and the others are common infectious diseases. These include problems in the jaw, the innards, the bones, and the brain. It may also be prone to skin allergies, or mineral overdoses due to its diet. The common infections are of the eye, hair, and ears. Though a number of these conditions can be managed with medicines, some do require operative treatment.
Most of these dogs, however, visit the vet with injuries. The enthusiastic and hyperactive breed tends to sneak into places or get into fights with other dogs. No matter how tough this dig may seem, it still can resist only so much. A prompt visit is a must to keep the dog free from wound infections and tetanus.
The West Highland White Terrier requires routine exercise and playtime. Around forty minutes per day, evenly spaced out throughout the 24 hours is advisable. This keeps the dog energetic and happy. On days when outdoor activity is not an option, it is desirable to keep the dog active and engaged with other physical activities. These are mostly with toys or other play items that it likes.
Who is this dog most suited for?
West Highland White Terriers are suited for young to middle-aged people looking for an energetic companion to come home to at the end of the day. It may be a bit too much for older families as they tend to be stubborn and hyperactive which may go out of hand occasionally. If you fall into the former criteria, this dog is perfect for you.
CONCLUSION
The Hypoallergenic West Highland White Terriers is one of the best varieties available if you look for a comrade with a low chance of giving you the sneezes, and certain assurance of providing you a good time during their lifespan. They will always be faithful to you and your well-being. When do you welcome your new Scottish beauty from the rocks?
