West Highland WhiteTerrier Grooming - Key Considerations

Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him for a household pet, the first key to West Highland Terrier grooming is to start while he is a puppy.

Take your Westie to his first groomer appointment after he has had all of his shots, at approximately 14 weeks. Acclimate your dog to the grooming process, and he will grow to accept it as part of his natural routine. If you intend to groom your dog at home, give him his first clipping at around the same age.

West Highland Terrier grooming, whether performed at home or by a groomer, should be performed with the dog's safety and comfort as the first considerations. Be aware of the practices used by your groomer, and be sure to remain with your dog until you are convinced that he is safe.

Contact your local Westie Club to find a reputable groomer. If you intend to show your dog, you will want to be sure that your groomer knows what a Westie cut looks like. It is not unusual for owners to find that their Westie has come home from a grooming looking like a Schnauzer or a Scottish Terrier. If you are uncertain, bring photographs to your first groomer visit.

Although you might think that, after safety, your first consideration is price, how to groom your Westie is your next decision. A show dog must be hand stripped to give the dog its Westie look - round head, carrot-shaped tail, and blended skirt.

Hand stripping involves actually pulling hairs. When they grow back, they tend to be straighter and coarser. Many claim that a hand stripped Westie coat sheds dirt, allowing the dog to go longer between baths. Hand stripping is not necessary for a Westie that is kept as a pet, and a regular clipping from your groomer, or at home, is all that your dog needs. A clipped Westie coat will be softer and curlier, and more prone to staining.

Because of their white coats, staining is another problem peculiar to West Highland Terrier grooming. If the hair is white at the base, licking might be the problem, and is often triggered by cuts and abrasions, or objects lodged in the hair around the paw.

Hair that is stained down to the base may indicate a fungal or yeast infection, and your Westie should see a veterinarian. Staining around the muzzle is most often caused by the food the dog eats. Check for red food dies, or beets in the formula. If you want your Westie to attain show dog perfection, a cotton ball dipped in hydrogen peroxide, and wiped on the beard daily, will lighten and prevent the stains.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com

Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest,
Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You
Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW!
http://www.madaboutwesties.com

---

The Sporting Westie Terrier

Because it is intelligent and energetic, a Westie terrier is... Read More

Round Pen: The Great Equalizer

Although many horsemen and trainers extol the virtues of the... Read More

Sugar Gliders, Pocket Pets

Many people are searching for different means to have pets.... Read More

Dog Food - Which Diet is Best for Dogs?

Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters!If you're like... Read More

Seizures in Pets

Witnessing your precious dog or cat having a seizure can... Read More

Ear Mites in Dogs: Quite Earritating

Does your dog have that sheepish look? It could be... Read More

The One-Minute Horse Training Manager

If your life is so busy you literally only have... Read More

Is Your Dog In Pain Without You Realising?

A dog that is feeling pain can often be highly... Read More

A Healthy Cat Knows What Tastes Good...

As all cat owners know, a feline can be a... Read More

Pet Peeve: Dogs Doing Business Where Not Wanted

We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really... Read More

Safety Tips for Moving With Pets

Which kind is your pet? The pooch who is the... Read More

Chocolate And Your Dogs Health -- What You Should Know

Chocolate. Who can resist it?Your dogs health depends on it!... Read More

Dog Training For Beginners

Training a dog is a fairly difficult task. Some find... Read More

The Joy Of Having Puppies!

One of the greatest thrills for a little boy or... Read More

The Demand for Luxury Dog Beds

A pet can be as important a member of the... Read More

How To Protect Your Pets From Fleas And Ticks

Fleas are wingless, blood-sucking insects that feed on dog, cats,... Read More

Are Your Fish Sick?

Keeping a fish tank is a wonderful and relaxing hobby,... Read More

Acclimating New Birds

Now that my services have expanded into the "matchmaking" business,... Read More

Picking Up A Horses Hoof

The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate... Read More

Tips For Buying a Horse Online

More and more folks are looking to the Internet to... Read More

Characteristics Of The Boxer

Is A Boxer Right For You?Country of Origin: Germany ... Read More

Greyhound Adoption ? Great Dogs, Great Cause

HistoryThroughout the US and in many parts of the world,... Read More

West Highland Terrier Rescue Dog - What To Expect When You Bring It Home

Congratulations on your choice to bring home a West Highland... Read More

GPS Pet Tracking

If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More

Your Dogs Health Is At Risk!

Dogs should be living to age 20 or more. That's... Read More

What Type of Cat Food is Really Best For Your Cat?

Which cat food should you feed your cat to be... Read More

Decorating for The Cat Owner - How to Protect Your Possessions

The first thing a cat owner should know about home... Read More

The Top Five Reasons to Rescue a Boxer

What if you want a Boxer, but cannot stomach the... Read More

How to Make Your Cats Life, and YOUR Life, Happier - Training Your Cat

Imagine that you are scolding your cat for scratching at... Read More

What You Need To Know To Keep Your Dog Safe In Your Car

Man's Best Friend is a great companion around the home,... Read More

Lower Your Veterinarian Costs And Increase the Longevity of Your Pets Lives

What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating,... Read More

The Gifts We Give Our Dogs

Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More

Dogs: Buy or Adopt?

Buy or Adopt - That is the question.If you intend... Read More