Owning a Westiepoo dog pros and cons
What is a Westiepoo? Westiepoos are designer dogs created by crossing the West Highland White Terrier and Poodle. Westiepoo dogs are also known as the Wee-Poosor and Westiedoodles. Known for many positive temperament traits, Westie Poo dogs make great family companions and will get along well with members of your family including singles and seniors.
Fluffy Westiepoo pups are low shedders, which is another pro associated with West Highland White Terrier Poodle mix dogs. Poodle dogs are hypoallergenic and as a result, many Poodle mix dogs also inherit this trait to some degree and may produce lower amounts of allergens such as pet dander in comparison to other non-hypoallergenic breeds. If you suffer from pet related allergies, make sure to spend some time with a Westiepoo dog prior to making the final commitment to make sure that your potential new pet won't trigger allergic reactions.
Another pro associated with owning a Westiepoo dog is that they are relatively small in size and make a good pet choice for apartment and condo dwellers. Westiepoos are active and if you live in an apartment, keep in mind that your pet will need regular exercise that may include walking and playing. Mental exercises are also important for this mixed breed dog and training the dog to learn new commands can be both fun and mentally stimulating for your pet.
One of the cons to owning a Westiepoo dog is that Westiepoos really dislike being left alone for extended periods. Westie Poos may not be ideal pet companions for persons who are not home most of the time. Leaving a Westiepoo dog alone for long hours may result in destructive behaviors, which may include barking and chewing on things that a dog should not be chewing on. These destructive behaviors are the direct result of boredom and being lonely and that is one of the reasons to consider your schedule when deciding to get a Westiepoo pup. For this Poodle mix being around the family during the day is very important.
Westiepoo life span
How long do Westiepoo dogs live on average? The life expectancy of Westiepoo ranges from 12 to 15 years long. The lifespan of this Poodle mix depends on many factors, including how healthy physically and mentally your dog is. Make sure to pay attention to your dog's wellbeing so that they can have a happy healthy life.
Westiepoo size
How big do Westiepoo dogs get? In most cases, male Westiepoos are usually larger than the females. In height, Westiepoos stand between 13 to 17 inches, while their weight ranges between 20 to 30 pounds. Westiepoo size depends on what type of Poodle is the parent of a Westepoo dog. For example, mixing a West Hiland White Terrier with a Miniature Poodle will result in larger dogs. On the other hand, mixing a West Highland White Terrier with a Toy Poodle will result in much smaller Westiepoo offspring. Westiepoo dogs come in different sizes which is yet another advantage to this mixed dog breed.
Westiepoo temperament
Westiepoos are fun, loving and smart pups. West Highland White Terrier and Poodle mix dogs are also very loyal and will appreciate loads of attention. Westie Poo dogs will gladly show lots of affection to their family members and tend to get very attached to their main handlers.
If left alone for prolonged periods, many Westiepoos will suffer from separation anxiety. This means they are not suitable for people who are not always home. If you work full time outside of your home then consider making arrangements to find a person who will be able to dogsit your pet and take him our her outside for potty breaks during the day.
Westiepoos are typically not aggressive towards other dogs, especially when they receive plenty of socialization during the young age. On the other hand, Westiepoos will get wary of any strangers stepping into their territory and will take a while to warm up to new people in their lives. Thus, Westiepoos tend to bark for a couple of minutes any time a new individual arrives. This factor is makes Westiepoos suitable as watchdogs.
Many Westiepoo pups still have hunting instincts. If you have other small pets at home, always supervise Westiepoo dog around smaller animals. Westiepoos need to be socialized as early as possible with other family pets.
How active are Westiepoo dogs? Westiepoos require moderate exercise activities. A daily 30 to 60 minutes of exercise will be enough to keep your dog fit and healthy. These pups love walks to the park where they can meet up with other dogs and to keep things interesting.
Obedience and agility training are a great way to keep your Westiepoo dog occupied. Keep your Westiepoo dog busy. Getting several different dog toys for your pet to play with is a great idea. Westiepoos have plenty of energy to burn and having some dog toys can help to keep your companion pet busy. Owners who have enclosed yards can let out the dog to romp around. Westiepoos also enjoy playing with you or other family members.
Potty training a Westiepoo
Westiepoos are smart and eager to please their owners. Potty training will not be so difficult. Vigilance, patience and consistency are all you need to have a successfully potty-trained pooch. Here are some few steps to follow while training your Westiepoo.
Develop a feeding routine: Feed your Westiepoo his meals the same time each day. Wait for 15 to 30 minutes then take him outside to pee. Westiepoos easily learn patterns so this will make the training easier.
Supervise your Westiepoo for potty readiness signs. Like any other dog, whenever they want to pee, they will portray signs such as sniffing around and moving in circles. Take him outside and give him ample time to do the toilet business, but that should not be too long.
Stick to one potty spot and do not change the spot where the dog goes to toilet, as this will only confuse the dog. By so doing the dog will learn to associate the spot with the toilet business.
Every time your Westiepoo does the business right, praise him excitedly and offer him a treat. Though (the treat part) is not so much encouraged as the dog can sometimes pee a little, seeking to just get the treat.
Crate the Westiepoo while on an errand: crating your Westiepoo while you are out on errand will train him to hold it in. Do this immediately before crating him and immediately after confining him. Do it also before he goes to bed at night.
Take away the water dish. Two hours before your Westiepoo rests to bed. take away the water dish. This will help your dog sleep well without interrupting breaks of pee during the night.
In case of accidents. Do not yell at the dog or punish him, this is negative reinforcement which never works. Instead, it discourages your dog from the training process. While at it, do not clean the dogs' mess in his presence. Confine him a little then thoroughly clean off the mess with enzymic detergents, which will help get rid of the smell completely.
Westiepoo grooming and care
Are Westie Poo dogs difficult to care for? Westiepoos are low to medium maintenance pups. Their coats are medium in length and very dense usually described as wavy and soft to the touch. Although Westiepoos are low shedders brushing their coats time to time will help prevent the formation of mats and knots.
The following tools will be required to facilitate the Westiepoos grooming session: Mild shampoo, Conditioner and a metal teeth brush. Bathing your Westiepoo should happen about once a month using warm water, mild canine shampoo and canine conditioner. Use moderate conditioner as too much will make the dogs' coat get heavy and hard to clip. Brush the coat in an outward motion as you blow-dry it.
Brush the Westiepoo dog's fur with the metal teeth brush, while thoroughly stripping it using your hand to get rid of all dead hair. Use the clippers or scissors to trim any long hair to give the coat a neat and smart look. While at it, ensure that you clean your dogs' ears with a damp cloth, weekly. This will help get rid of any debris or pests stuck inside, which after all may cause ear infections if not cleaned.
Westiepoos just like any other breed, require teeth brushing starting at a young age. Regular dental care can help prevent tooth loss, tooth decay and other related dental issues. Clip their nails often and if you find this difficult to consult a professional groomer for further advise.
Westiepoo Origins
Westiepoos are hybrid dogs created from crossing a West Highland White Terrier and the Poodle. They are known to have been in existence much longer than the other designer dogs which evolved in the last two decades. Let's look at the parents of Westiepoo dogs closer to better understand this crossbreed.
The West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terrier breed was developed in Scotland. Also known as Westies, Poltalloch Terrier or the Roseneath Terrier this dog was used to hunt vermin, foxes, badgers and otters back in the 17th Century. They once existed in various colors but currently, the breed only exists in pure white color.
Poodle
Poodle is mainly associated with France but it has its origins in Germany. It dates back to the 17th centuries and was used to retrieve prey from both water and land. The breed has been widely used by breeders to create designer dogs due to its low shedding, friendly and intelligent nature.
Westiepoo is a cross between the West Highland White Terrier and Miniature or Toy Poodle. These pups are considered to be first-generation hybrids. This is because they have been bred from purebred parents. Puppies created from this mix will have a either a 50-50 genetic mix, or they may lean towards either of the parental genes.
With the first-generation hybrid, expect to see puppies that vary both in appearance and character regardless of whether they come from the same litter. Some will be more of the West Highland White Terrier or more of the Poodle, depending on which parental genes dominate in the puppy.
Westiepoo Health Problems
Westiepoos are generally considered to be healthy pups. Responsible Westiepoo breeders screen both parents the West Highland White Terrier and the Poodle for any possible health conditions that may affect the Westiepoo. Nevertheless, here are some of the health issues that may affect Westiepoo dogs.
Patellar Luxation: This is a condition that affects the dog's knee cap. It happens when the knee cap is dislocated from its usual place. The conditions lead to a lot of pain and in severe cases, it may cause lameness. Dogs suffering from this condition will be seen skipping a few steps before getting back to a normal walk. The disease is usually graded from one to four depending on severity. In severe cases, surgery can be used to correct the problem.
Legg calves Perthes Disease: This is an orthopedic condition when the head of the femur bone is progressively affected. The affected dog will slowly become lame and their hind limb will suffer from reduced muscle mass. Physiotherapy can help relieve the situation although surgery is more effective in this case.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is an incurable deterioration disease that affects the dog's eyesight which then may lead to blindness. Breeders and potential owners are advised to screen the puppy's parents thoroughly before breeding them.
Mitral Valve Disease: This condition is first detected when the dog visits the veterinarian. A low-grade murmur is usually picked by the vet and maybe quickly diagnosed. However, as the condition progresses the dog may show signs that include: mild coughs in the morning or a reluctance to participate in any form of exercise. The vet will run diagnostic tests which may include echocardiograms and thoracic x-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Carrying out the diagnosis early enough will benefit your pooch since there are medications available that can slow down the disease progression.
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