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!
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com
Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More
Bringing a new puppy or dog home is a huge... Read More
Many different skin problems can arise in the aquarium. thankfully,... Read More
Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More
You know that cats should always have a supply of... Read More
Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More
... Read More
The first thing to do when searching for a lost... Read More
Would you put together a model plane without looking at... Read More
As much as you love the sound of your new... Read More
Did you know that arthritis affects one in five dogs... Read More
Are you ready for a Boxer?The answer is "no" if... Read More
Most of the diseases that threaten goldfish can be cured.... Read More
Making our lives better includes protecting our families, and also... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
Could a horse trainer, born about 154 years ago, teach... Read More
When selecting the best dry food for your dog, why... Read More
Goldfish care is critical for the health of your goldfish.... Read More
The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog... Read More
Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More
The greatest benefits of ownership is knowing that your property... Read More
Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing... Read More
Lots of folks are picky about their vet, and for... Read More
Electric Dog FencesIs an electric dog fence something for you?... Read More
One of the greatest thrills for a little boy or... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..In the purebred West Highland Terrier puppy market, there are... Read More
OriginDo you know that the adorable little puppy you bought... Read More
The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog... Read More
"You've created your own monster, you know", my mother said... Read More
Just say the word cancer and any of a host... Read More
Have you noticed that doctors are now being much more... Read More
Is A Boxer Right For You?Country of Origin: Germany ... Read More
As with every training tool used to modify a behavior... Read More
A dog that is feeling pain can often be highly... Read More
Congratulations on your choice to bring home a West Highland... Read More
Of all the parasites a dog can catch, worms take... Read More
No one knows your dog better than you, and as... Read More
Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of... Read More
IntroductionA long time ago, before evolution turned the primate into... Read More
Buying a purebred dog is not something that should be... Read More
If there is an art to getting horses to load... Read More
Pets are many things in many ways but they are... Read More
Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are... Read More
Mistake #1:"Here, Kitty Kitty..."Unless they have been educated, new horse... Read More
Throughout the course of my life, I've encountered my own... Read More
Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet... Read More
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, because the disease... Read More
A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More
Weaning puppies is a perfectly natural process. Mamma dogs have... Read More
The large animal organizations and the public money.It is said... Read More
Pet |