Lovers of miniature dogs are unlikely to remain indifferent to the charm of snow-white Westhairland terriers. These wonderful animals from the open spaces of Scotland literally won the hearts of potential owners around the world. What are the features of this breed, and how to care for a small pet?
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Breed history
White Scottish Terriers were first bred at the turn of the XIX - XX centuries. Until that time, puppies of white color, which periodically appeared in the litter of other terriers, were taken for defective. The first terriers to have white fur resembled their cousins core and scotch terriers. Only after years of selection work did these animals acquire their large heads and toy appearance.
The founder of the breed is recognized by E. D. Malcolm from the Scottish city of Poltaloha. It was thanks to him that the snow-white pets made their debut in exhibitions at sunset of the XIX century. These dogs had a light coat color and were striking in their activity and friendliness. Subsequently, the club of admirers of the breed was founded in 1904, and the first exhibition of these babies took place in 1907. However, the current and still breed standard was adopted only in 2010.
Highland White Terrier Description and Character
If we mention a brief description of the breed, then the Highland White Terrier dog seems to be created for long-term loads.
Animals have voluminous breasts, developed muscles and powerful limbs. The individual should not be too squat or, conversely, tall.
- The structure of the head of the vest should not resemble the head of an adhesive tape terrier - the latter should be wide in the area between the ears. An upturned or lowered nose is a sign of marriage.
- The teeth of the West Highland White Terrier, like many other representatives of the English breeds, are rarely ideal.
- The bite may be straight or scissor-like. It should be noted that the set of teeth may differ - the standard allows for the absence of 4 premolars. Open bite individuals are considered defective (when the tongue peeps through the small front incisors).
- The front legs of the dogs are larger than the hind legs.
- The coat consists of a soft undercoat and a hard top.
- The nose of the animal should be black.
- The color of the coat can vary from light wheat to boiling white.
Features of keeping and caring for a dog
The contents of the western terriers in the house and apartment are almost identical. The main condition is to prevent isolation of vests from the family. These dogs are in dire need of communication with loved ones, being in the aviary, the dog can be bored, and the result will be a spoiled character.
Dog place should be located far from the drafts. In this case, the pet should not be equipped with toys, next to the bed should be a bowl of drinking water.
An indispensable condition for the maintenance of news is long walks. Subject to the availability of a separate piece of land at its disposal, the dog will spend time outdoors, frolicing and playing. But even in this case, a full visit to the training grounds and the influence of the surrounding world, including the perception of the sounds of nature, people, cars, etc., should not be ruled out.
Pet Feeding Rules
The feeding of small white terriers should be approached with particular care. The presence of seaweed or colored vegetables in the pet's diet can cause yellowing of its coat, which is unacceptable for dogs participating in exhibitions. Their fur should be snow-white.
Vesta, like all snow-white dogs, may suffer from an increased risk of allergies to a number of products.
Tip. The diet of a dog allergy should be discussed with a veterinarian, gradually rejecting harmful products and no longer returning to them. In such cases, ready-made medicinal feeds are ideal for the pet.
Feeding the West Highland White Terrier with ready-made food is very convenient for both the owner and the dog. In this case, the baby should not be fed with products made specifically for small breeds - such food is too high in calories. It is best to purchase products for medium breeds or active dogs.
The basis of the natural menu of terriers should be meat. At the same time, you should not treat your pet with just a tenderloin: small veins and cartilage are useful for the digestive system of the terrier.
Important. If the dog eats natural meat food, you should make sure that there are no various infections in it.
- It is unacceptable to give pork to the West Highland White Terrier.
- Additionally, white terriers can be fed dairy products (cottage cheese, yogurt, yogurt), vegetables (zucchini, turnips, pumpkin) and fruits (pears, apricots, apples, peaches).
- It is permissible to introduce cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, rice) into the dog’s diet.
- It is permissible to combine porridge with flaxseed and herbs (dandelion, parsley, nettle).
Haircut and Trimming
The main concern for the owner of the white baby will be the systematic trimming of the West Highland White Terrier. Dogs should be plucked 2–3 times a year, and exhibition individuals every 1.5–2 months.
It is interesting. The West Highlands participating in the exhibitions never have their so-called skirt cut (wool in the area of the sides and abdomen). Gradually, she reaches the floor, and this is inconvenient for dogs leading an active lifestyle.
Wool should be regularly plucked in the ears and eyes of the West Highland White Terrier.Features of trimming directly depend on whether the pet will pursue a career in exhibitions or not. So, the dog can be trimmed instead of trimmed. Pet owners who do not take part in exhibitions prefer to cut their own vests.
Dog clothes
White terriers are quite hardy animals that are not prone to freezing even in winter. The main thing is to make sure that the dog moves and walks during the promenade in the cold. Clothing is usually purchased by dog owners attending shows. The latter need to keep their skirt safe, sound and clean. In such cases, it is necessary to purchase clothing on a natural basis, which does not lead to the electrification of wool.
Tip. To accustom the white terrier to the dressing process should be from an early age (from about 3 months.) Do not force-wear a pet that resists.
You can buy a wardrobe for a white pet in pet stores or sew the necessary piece of clothing to order.
When choosing clothing for West Highland White Terriers, you should pay attention to the following factors:
- strength of materials;
- warming;
- aesthetics;
- resistance to climatic conditions.
Modern manufacturers offer the owner many different wardrobe options for small dogs, ranging from everyday to the front or exhibition.
Most popular are:
- jackets, coats;
- raincoats, raincoats;
- overalls;
- shirts;
- trousers;
- tracksuit;
- dresses;
- vests;
- hats, panties;
- boots, stockings and so on.
Additionally, various accessories, in particular, hairpins and handbags, can be included in the arsenal of pet jewelry
Characteristic breed diseases
In general, West Highlands are not considered a health issue for dogs. With proper care and the absence of concomitant pathologies, they easily survive up to 15 years or more.
Nevertheless, the following diseases are characteristic of this variety of terriers:
- allergic skin, fungal diseases (atopy, dermatitis);
- eye diseases (retinal atrophy, cataract);
- disruption of the musculoskeletal system.
Timely vaccination of white pets is considered very important. The latter must be carried out not only for West Highland White Terrier puppies, but also for adult dogs.
If an active and cheerful animal previously has weakness, loss of appetite, drowsiness, vomiting, lameness, you should consult a specialist.
Parenting and training a pet
When teaching and training the West Highland White Terrier, one should take into account his independence and extremely assertive disposition. At the same time, conflicts with a pet or the use of violence against him will not help in the process of training. It is best to use walks and outdoor games for this purpose.
Terriers need to work out exposure. It is best to start training with the bookmarks of shrinkage and feeding, conducting classes first at home, and gradually going outside the home.
West Highland White Terriers represent hunting breeds of dogs. It is for this reason that from an early age an animal needs to start working with it. You can do this with a knot of rags, let the dog catch up and grab the objects, scuff them and grab them with all their jaws, in a word, imitate a real hunt.
Despite all their courage, courage and fearlessness, these terriers are by no means inclined to guard and defend. Best of all, this animal manifests itself in typical competitions intended for small dogs: frisbee, agility, freestyle, etc.
Charming little West Highland White Terriers are real clots of energy. The owner of such an animal will never be bored, the snow-white dog simply will not allow this. However, the pet requires some care, and its coat needs special care.
