the dog. Th e problem with the softer coats is that although they often have abundant furnishings (leg and belly hair), those fur- nishings tend to mat. If you aspire to show Westies, you should be aware that grooming a Westie for show is more an art than a skill. You will need to attend many (preferably specialty) shows to study the breed and to learn about the coat, the tools and techniques needed to strip the coat, and the current “styles” of grooming. Our standard, written over 100 years ago, calls for a coat that is about 2" long, but today a dog with 2" coat would look unkempt in the ring. Coats are short- er, heads are often teased, and “product” is often used to add texture to the coat and body to the furnishings. Many breeders and exhibitors to not think this is a good trend, but the truth is that a dog without these enhancements would probably not pass muster with most judges. Th ere are videos available on Westie grooming, but if you want to learn how to groom a Wes- tie, the best thing you can do is to find a breeder whose grooming you admire and ask for pointers or lessons. Health Westies are generally healthy, but there are problems (as in all breeds) that a pro- spective owner should be informed about. Probably the biggest problem with the breed is allergies, either environmental or food-related, but there are other genetic problems as well. Th e Westie Health Foun- dation (westiefoundation.org) is work- ing hard to understand the genetic links to this and other problems in the breed, and their web site is a good place to learn more about health-related issues and about progress being made towards diagnoses, control, and identifying genetic mark- ers to help eliminate problems over time. Th e best way to find a healthy Westie is to go to a reputable breeder who tests their stock and breeds for conformation and health. You can find a list of breeders at the West Highland White Terrier Club of America website (westieclubamerica.com). It doesn't hurt if breeders also have dogs in their line that excel in dog sports, because this demonstrates that their dogs are bred not only for conformation and health, but
also for working ability, mental stability, and drive. Who could resist a Westie that is healthy, beautiful, and smart? Th ey say that there are not only terri- ers, but terrier people, and I believe this is an absolute truth. If you are thinking of acquiring a Westie, you need to be sure you have the correct terrier temperament to match their large personalities. If you do, you will never lack for lively compan- ionship from this independent, beautiful, and fun-loving breed.
Westies In Action Westies are beautiful in the show ring, but they also excel in all types of performance activities. Westies have earned more tracking titles than any oth- er terrier breed. Many are avid hunters and compete successfully in earthdog tests that showcase the dog's hunting instincts. Th ey can compete successfully in obedi- ence, although, being terriers, they aren't big on drilling for perfection (unless per- haps they are well paid with treats!). Th ey prefer rally to obedience, because their owners can encourage them during competition. Many dogs and their han- dlers love agility, which requires hard work, quick thinking, and teamwork. Th ese activities are open to all Westies (including rescued Westies with ILP numbers), and you can learn more about all of these activities on the AKC website (akc.org). And if none of these activi- ties is possible for you, then your Westie would also be happy going for a walk in the woods or a stroll in the neighborhood. Good for the owners, too!
BIO Allison Platt has owned, bred and shown Wes- ties for more than thirty years. Her Westies have com- peted successfully in conformation, agility, tracking,
obedience, and earthdog. She has been a member of the West Highland White Ter- rier Club of America for over twenty-five years, and was the president of the club in 2009 when they celebrated the 100th anni- versary of Westies in the United States. She is on the Advisory Council of the Westie Health Foundation and is Chair of the Illustrated Standard Committee. Her dog Spenser (BIS BISS Ch. McAlp- in Claim to Fame at Kirkton, TD) was the #1 Westie in the US in 2003, and won the breed at Westminster in 2002 and 2003. Her bitch Sprite (Ch CT Kirkton Quick- silver Girl, AX, OAJ, ME, RN) was the first terrier to earn the AKC VST (urban tracking) and CT (Champion Tracker) titles in 1999. She has judged numerous national spe- cialties sweepstakes and has bred numer- ous Champion Westies with multiple per- formance titles, but tracking is her favorite activity with her dogs, and she has been an AKC tracking judge for 15 years. She paints in her spare time, including the drawings included with this article (wes- tieartwork.com). In “real” life, Allison is a landscape architect and urban designer based in North Carolina. And she is definitely a terrier person.
Above: “Sprite in Agility” © 2007, Allison Platt. Below: “Hide and Seek” © 2009, Allison Platt. Photo by Mary Bradley.
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