Should I Get A Westie Or A Toy/miniature Poodle?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I am thinking about getting a family dog. I have two children, ages 9 and 10. I have allergies to dogs, so I am trying to go with a dog who doesn’t shed so much.
As far as intelligence, training, and temperment, which do you think would be best – westie or poodle?
Thanks!
Related West Highland White Terrier posts:
both are intelligent breeds, however westies can be very stubborn. its not that they are stupid and can’t learn but they choose when they want to listen. they are absolutely adorable and full of personality but they are a terrier and they fulfill that title completely. poodles are great little dogs and probably the best of the two for allergies. the only con to a poodle is that they tend to be a bit yappy but that can be trained out of them pretty easily. keep researching and choose carefully. good luck and hope this helps
I love poodles!! but here is some non biased info,
Poodle:
The Miniature Poodle is a cheerful, super smart, sensitive and highly trainable companion dog. The breed is great at learning tricks, and a favorite in the circus ring. The Poodle will feel slighted if it is left out of family activities. He is very amusing and clever. Many owners feel this dog understands speech in an uncanny way. Some love to play with children, but some are sensitive and nervous. They can be somewhat high-strung. Be careful where you buy your puppy. Purchase from parents you have met and liked, and even ask to see the grandparents if possible. They tend to be quite reserved with strangers and should be socialized as a puppy. Any effort the owner puts into training and socializing will be well rewarded. This is a very good watchdog for its size, seldom becoming aggressive. They do tend to bark a lot. Poodles are friendly with other dogs and non-canine pets.
Poodles also do not shed at all and need to be groomed regularly.
Westie:
West Highland White Terriers are described in the standard as being “possessed of no small amount of self-esteem with a varminty appearance.” This game and hardy little Terrier is easy to train. They are fairly friendly toward strangers and get along well with behaved children. Westies may snap when irritated, but are not as willful as many of the other Terrier breeds. They are lively and extremely self-assured toward other dogs. Westies usually do not pick fights with other dogs, although some males are combative with other males. They may chase a cat for fun, but usually will not hurt it. Robust, friendly, cocky and spunky. Westies just love companionship. Despite its size, they make a very good watchdog. These little dogs are easy to travel with. The Westie likes to dig and bark.
Westies shed but not a lot and do not need to be groomed as much as poodles.
i don’t know anything about Westie’s but I have a Toy Poodle and she is so smart.. I have had many house dogs at different times in my life and I always remember something about housebreaking them but with my Poodle she must have trained so quickly that I don’t even remember anything about it. Poodle’s are extremely smart dogs…no shedding…but they do require alot of upkeep. I take her to the groomer’s once a month ..so you might need to take that into consideration..also, I would recommend a black or chocolate colored one if you choose a Poodle, because white ones get this stain under their eyes that is very hard to keep off..but they are beautiful dogs. Westies are too….I just never had one of those. Hope this was of some help to you…BTW, Poodles are good with children…I have a 10 yr. old and we got Jazzy when my little girl was 3.
Get a toy poodle!
In my opinion, they are great family dogs. I dont reccomend them with children that dont respect dogs, though, they are pretty fragile. Their fur does take some work. They are not yappy but they do bark if someone comes to the door. Overall, they are energetic and loving dogs that looove to cuddle.
poodle!you also have 3 sizes to choose from.terriers are stubborn sometimes and some are prone to fighting for no apparent reason, just for the heck of it.i meet westies all the time, each is a different personality.Cairn terriers are sweet, but, not all the time.the calmest sweetest terrier, is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.also hypoallergenic.
Those are two very different breeds, and its not just because they don’t look the same.
Here is some good research on the breeds. Read about them, write down all the pros and cons that you may have about each breed as you read about them, compare how many pros and cons that you’ve written about them, and pick the one that has more pros than cons. :0)
West Highland White Terrierhttp://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews…http://www.akc.org/breeds/west_highland_…http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/westhighland…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Highla…
Poodlehttp://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews…http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews…http://www.akc.org/breeds/poodle/index.c…http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/poodles.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle