Collins Dog Owner's Guides is a well-established series of superbly illustrated, practical books for pedigree dog owners. This is the perfect guide for any West Highland White Terrier lover.

"This truly authoritative series provides expert insight into the nature and abilities of specific breeds. With each volume featuring a host of practical, tried-and-tested tips and techniques for training your dog, the latest information on nutritional requirements, health and first aid for dogs, as well as fabulous full-colour photography throughout..."--Publisher's description.

Using input from 8 top Westie breeders, accomplished author Vanessa Richie has created the perfect guidebook for the West Highland White Terrier. It will help any new Westie owner to raise a happy and healthy dog from puppy to old age. Covering "Westie specific" advice on topics such as: How to find a reputable and high-quality breeder Rescuing an older Westie from a shelter or rescue organization Preparing your home, family, and pets for the arrival of your new Westie Housetraining and crate training Nutrition for every stage of your Westies life Grooming, health care, and vet visits Physical and mental exercise needs Caring for a senior Westie in their golden years The West Highland White Terrier is everything that people typically associate with terriers: a lot of energy and personality are packed into a smaller dog. You’ll find that under all of that long, coarse fur is an incredibly sturdy dog that seems like a bundle of energy. As a highly intelligent breed, Westies can be easy to train, especially if you provide the right positive reinforcements. They are a great example of why you should only use positive reinforcement – when you try to use negative reinforcement, they tend to get a lot more stubborn. That intelligence tends to make them independent, so you aren’t nearly as likely to have problems with separation anxiety as you do with many other smaller breeds. Loyal and faithful, Westies are great for individuals and families. They want to play and have a great time, making them quite the entertaining addition to the family. Once they’ve gotten all of that energy out of their system, they make great lounging companions. It’s hard to go wrong with a West Highland White Terrier because they have lived and worked very closely with people for generations. Once you have a West Highland White Terrier in your home, it’s really hard not to want to make them a permanent part of your family.

The world’s most popular terrier, the West Highland White Terrier is famous for his snow-white coat and his delightful personality. Known the world over as the “Westie,” this Scottish breed has cast its spell on dog lovers on every continent. This Comprehensive Owner’s Guide begins with a history of the terriers from the Land of Scots, retelling how breed type developed and how this one-of-a-kind all-white dog rose to favor. Confirming the breed’s large international following, the chapter traces the breed’s exportation to the United States, Canada, Australia, and beyond. The characteristic chapter describes the Westie’s personality, physical traits, and special requirements, providing excellent evidence that this “cute, apartment-sized, filled with personality-plus and very active” purebred dog happily fits into every home that welcomes him with open, loving arms. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author’s advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

"Discover all that is interesting about dogs including breeds, poetry, quotes, and other facts"--Page 4 of cover.