Would A West Highland White Terrier Right For Me?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I’m 12 years old. I have a pet hedgehog, and also share the responsibility of my older sisters rat. My family has owned dogs in the past, that have past away, and I believe I’m ready to take on the responsibility of my own dog. Yes I am young and clearly can not pay emergency vet bills if need be, but my mother said if something happens in which i can’t pay myself she will be more then willing to help. I am just having troubles deciding on a breed. I am probably going to adopt from a shelter, because there are so many homeless pets, but there are still tons of pure bred dogs in shelters to pick from. Westies are one of the dog breeds that have come to interest, and I would like to know if a westie would suit my life style.
I have school 8-4, and have a medium sized back yard with a small doggie door. I want a dog that will like to relax and sit on my lap while on the computer or watching TV, but also a dog that would like a nice long walk, or a game of fetch.I would prefer a dog under 20 pounds. And I don’t mind giving baths, or brushing a coat a few times a week. My mom is an experienced groomer, so if it is a dog that is going to need a monthly trim, or anything like that, would be okay. I am probably going to wait until summer to adopt a dog/puppy, so i will have plenty of time to bond with him/her before i have to return to school. I am open to any other suggestions of dog breeds as well, and i appreciate every ones help.
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I love questions like these.
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It’s the fact that I had the same problem and I’m 13.
These questions that I can relate to are great.
The fact is westies are VERY hyper! they need someone to be home with them all the time every day. They need TONS of exercise
TONS!
I have a toy poodle and a bision.
Both very cute.
The poodle is smart and 9 pounds. [age 4]
The bision is really dumb but so adorable and over weight at around 20 lbs. [age 3]
The thing is i had the same problem but when i walked into the place i saw this poodle and said “hes the one”. same thing with the bision.
Don’t decide before.
Adopting is GREAT!
so many dogs and cats need great homes and don’t deserve to die.
I recommend looking at the ones that are going to be put down soon. But anyways go in there look at the ones you like, and they narrow it down to two or three.
Then check the personality’s.
if none mix with you well try again.
Also look at the price [there is always a budget with parents
and then if you are really considerate take the one that has been there the longest because he will be killed soon.
Hope this helps!
~~~ Abby ~~~ =^]
Westies are bred to find and kill small critters … I wouldn’t have one around hedgehogs and rats and things.
A cavalier king charles spaniel sounds like what you’d like. They just love to be with their people … snuggling or taking long walks. They need brushed a few times a week, but they don’t need trimmed.
I have a Westie, as well has a Chinchilla, and have had multiple hampsters in the past. Now, my dog is very intersted in the animals, but you just have to train them properly to not go after them. She does not go after my animals, but if she sees one outside that is another story. Believe me, they chase squirels like you would not believe. They love walks, and mine adores sitting on your lap and curling up with you. But I do know of many Westies who are not lap dogs. Your backyard is ideal for them. Now, with you going to school in the morning, and not getting home until 4 then that might mess up house training. If you mom can, get her to take the dog out every hour or two to go use the bathroom. It would be much better for you to wait until the summer to get one, so then you would be able to train it and spend as much time with it as needed. Again, Westies are very good and well behaved dogs. I think a 12 year old could do great with them seeing as I took on the responsibility of many animals at that age as well. But I would recomend waiting until the summer to get one. Hope you found this helpful.
I wouldn’t have a terrier & other small critters. Their job is hunt & kill small animals like rats, mice etc. I would be afraid for your other animals & accidents happen. You would have to pick wisely with Westies between having bad skin/allergies & being overbred to much larger than they should be. It would be hard to find one under 20lb these days w/o serious research.
My neighbor had a ferret that my westie wanted to get so badly that he would have fit if he just saw the neighbor whether he had the ferret or not.