West Highland White Terrier

The Westie does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage: puppy, adult, or senior. Some dogs gain weight easily, so watch calorie intake and keep an eye on your dog's weight.

Feeding amounts depend on size, metabolism, and activity level, so the clearest way to set the amount is to talk with your veterinarian, who can calculate your dog's caloric needs. The labels on your dog food also provide useful guidance. A general routine:

• Adults: a measured amount, fed twice a day
• Puppies: at least three meals a day, to help maintain steady blood sugar

Avoid overfeeding or free-feeding, which can lead to obesity. Treats help with training, but too many add up, so use them in moderation. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

The Westie may benefit from added omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, found in fish oil, some skin and joint supplements, and certain dog foods. Omega-3s help support the skin, coat, kidneys, joints, and heart. Discuss any supplements with your veterinarian first, and never give your Westie supplements without your vet's knowledge.

Hand-strip a show coat by plucking old hair, or clip a pet coat every four to six weeks. Many owners use a professional groomer. Daily brushing and combing keep the coat in good shape.

Because the Westie has a hard coat, bathing too often can do more harm than good, so bathe in moderation, about every four weeks. A gentle shampoo and conditioner works for most, and in some cases a whitening shampoo may help. If you notice redness, bumps, or itchiness, contact your vet.

Clean the ears every week or two to help keep them healthy. Redness, odor, or debris can signal an ear problem, so contact your veterinarian if you see any of these signs. No special eye grooming is needed, but squinting, redness, or eye discharge is worth a vet visit. Brush the teeth daily as part of routine care.

Westies need daily walks and active play. They can participate in obedience, rally, agility, tracking, and earthdog events.

By nature, a Westie will chase anything that moves and finds no shame in darting after a critter across the street. For that reason, keep outdoor exercise to a fenced yard or a leash. Plan to exercise your dog every day, whether on a walk, a hike, or simply at play.

Westies are bright and need mental stimulation to stay out of trouble. Interactive toys help keep them engaged and can head off boredom-driven habits like digging and excessive barking. Westies need early socialization, mental work, and regular exercise.

Like all terriers, Westies were bred to work alone, and that independence can make training a challenge. With their keen intelligence, though, they take well to patient, consistent lessons kept upbeat and interesting. They can be stubborn or strong-willed, but they respond to reward-based training, and tasty treats and favorite toys are excellent tools. Firm but gentle is the right approach, with consistency and patience as the keys.

Westies are confident, smart, playful, and energetic, but not hyper. They make fine family pets, and with appropriate socialization most are good with young children who have been taught how to interact with dogs properly.

Many Westies enjoy being lap dogs, while some prefer to be near their people rather than in a lap.