West Highland White Terrier grooming guide
The West Highland White Terrier is easy to pick out of a lineup. It’s one of the most recognisable dog breeds in the world. These little white treasures grace the pages of magazines and are found on pet food packaging and whisky bottles. Universally loved, even non-dog people can identify the breed.
While they’re known for their delicious white coats, maintaining their shine and fluffy feel does take a touch of maintenance. Regular grooming maintains the coat’s luster, keeping it healthy and free of skin irritation.
We all like to look good, and so does our Westie
Taking pride in our appearance is a good thing. We all like to look our best as often as we can. It builds our confidence and sense of purpose. The same applies to a Westie. It is important to remember that the West Highland White Terrier wasn’t initially bred to grace the arms of aristocracy. Westies were bred to hunt smaller game in the highlands of Scotland, an unforgiving environment in the middle of winter. The Westie has a double coat engineered to be weather-resistant. The outer coat is wiry and coarse, while the inner coat is soft and compact. The ideal combination for keeping the dog warm and protected as it traverses its country of origin’s undergrowth and wet slopes.
The Westie coat is a statement. Functional yet fashionable, however, like anything, it does require maintenance. Thankfully, it is not over the top, and regular grooming helps untangle matting that will trap dirt, oils, and bacteria. Westies are prone to uncomfortable skin irritation, and grooming your pet with the proper brush, such as a slicker or pin brush, several times a week helps prevent matting and tangles, skin irritation and infections, and fleas or ticks you may not notice or see. Regular grooming also reduces the doggy smell, keeping in mind that most Westie owners keep their pets nearby and inside the home.
“The Westie coat is a statement. Functional yet fashionable.”
Brushing is essential
Brushing is as therapeutic for you as it is for your Westie. Regular bushing is essential. Three times a week is required; daily is even better. As mentioned, the Slicker or Pin brush will get through the coarser top coat and use a comb to help work through any tangles close to the skin. Your Westie will be very responsive to brushing, and they love the bonding time with you. Website’s like routine, being gentle, and brushing regularly are the key. If you’re planning a bath, brush beforehand, not after. If the coat is tangled, bathing may make it worse and more complicated to resolve. A de-tangled and brushed out coat will clean and dry with greater success.
Time for a haircut
Depending on your Westie’s lifestyle, we recommend a trip to the groomers every two months. For busy outdoor types who are often at the beach or rummaging through the forest, every 6 weeks may be more appropriate. A bath, hair trim, nails, and ear cleaning make a difference. Some groomers are experienced with the “Westie Show Cut.” – This is the traditional cut for the breed and features a rounded face, short back and sides, and a longer and fuller skirt on the belly and legs. It is an iconic look and a practical cut for the Westie.
A technique known as “hand stripping” is not widely used. However, fastidious Westie owners and some groomers are experienced and employ hand stripping in regular coat maintenance.
It can be very time-consuming and involves plucking dead hair from the coat, either by hand or using a stripping knife. The method does promote new growth, which keeps the coat looking its best.
Clipping is a popular grooming method. It is not as successful as hand stripping, but it is far more efficient. It will depend on your personal choice. The only disadvantage to clipping over hand stripping is that clipping can make the coat less water resistant, which may not be an issue for you, and the coat may become curlier. If you don’t intend to show your Westie, clipping is a cost-effective and time-effective alternative.
Your Westie’s nails, ears, and eyes also require attention. A nail trim every 3-4 weeks is recommended, and cleaning your Westie’s ears weekly with a vet-approved solution will help ward off infection. Groomers will trim the fur around your Westie’s eyes, or you can do it yourself. You may see little tear stains from time to time. This is common and not harmful. Clean them off with a damp cloth or a specialised tear stain remover to keep your pet looking its best.
A clean Westie and a happy Westie. These little balls of fun get into some dirty places and love foraging around whenever they can. A good brush and a routine trip to the groomers keep them looking their best and their coats healthy and vibrant.
Brandywine is a selective breeder specialising in West Highland White Terriers
Our breeding stock is limited and registered with Dogs New South Wales. We take extra special care of our Westie pups, which we have for sale.
They are kept close and connected to their mothers and can develop their unique temperaments and personalities as nature intended. If you’re thinking about owning a Westie, contact Julie at Brandywine for more information or join our waiting list.