does anyone own a

[Patricia]

I can't help with where to get one, but I can offer my experience with mine. Minnie passed away in Sept. after 13 perfect years in our family. She was smart and warm, rarely barked, just the best dog ever. She trained early, and while in the puppy stages of chewing, it only took a reprimand to stop the chewing of shoes and furniture. I couldn't have asked for a better dog. If I were interested in a new pet, it would be a Westie for certain. Good luck with your search!

 

[kacaju]

http://www.akc.org/breeds/west_highland_white_terrier/
From the AKC website
Here you will find the national club website, how to find a breeder and even rescue

http://infodog.com/panels/fl.htm
Here is a listing of dog shows in FL under type look for AB which means all breed, or if there is a Terrier Show (I didn't have time to look closely at it)

 

[mjkacmom]

You do realize that puppy is from a puppymill? That it's mother has probably lived her entire life in a cage, as has that puppy, who's parents are most likely related? PLEASE reconsider, and adopt a dog, but if you have your heart set on this breed, find a reputable breeder (and a reputable breeder will not ship you a pupp!).

 

[Simba's Mom]

This is so funny! Thanks to this discussion, I went to that AKC website and learned that the puppies across the little canal from us are listed in there. Apparently they are AKC registered puppies and the lady is an AKC breeder. Amazing what you learn here on the DIS!

 

[livie1205]

You do realize that puppy is from a puppymill? That it's mother has probably lived her entire life in a cage, as has that puppy, who's parents are most likely related? PLEASE reconsider, and adopt a dog, but if you have your heart set on this breed, find a reputable breeder (and a reputable breeder will not ship you a pupp!).

well NO I did not or I would not have asked....oh and by the way I found one on the AKC site that DOES ship......I DID ask for help finding a puppy from a good and honest breeder.Thanks to everyone that tried to help out with jumping all over me like PETA!

 

[livie1205]

oh and the site I looked on is puppyfind.com not whatever I put before...there were at least 100 breeders selling dogs...but I am looking into a breeder here in Florida so I dont have to fly one here...

 

[mjkacmom]

well NO I did not or I would not have asked....oh and by the way I found one on the AKC site that DOES ship......I DID ask for help finding a puppy from a good and honest breeder.Thanks to everyone that tried to help out with jumping all over me like PETA!

I'm sorry I offended you - it's just that so many people do not realize that 99% of all puppies sold are sold by puppymills. A good and honest breeder does not ship puppies, and actually makes little to no money on the sale of puppies. No one is trying to make you feel bad, just trying to educate you, and anyone else out there considering buying a puppy from an ad, or a petstore. Many puppymill puppies are AKC registered - but if they'll ship the dog, it's not a honest breeder.

BTW, I did buy a petstore puppy, years ago, because I didn't know about puppymills. It was AKC registered, but when I heard about puppymills, I looked at the paperwork, and the puppy came from an area of the country with a high rate of puppymills - even the vet told me I was lucky she was healthy, when she found out where I bought her (a store that only sold puppies). I think the majority of people who buy puppies from petstores or backyard breeders have no idea what goes on behind the scenes in the industry.

 

[FayeW]

I'm sorry I offended you - it's just that so many people do not realize that 99% of all puppies sold are sold by puppymills. A good and honest breeder does not ship puppies, and actually makes little to no money on the sale of puppies. No one is trying to make you feel bad, just trying to educate you, and anyone else out there considering buying a puppy from an ad, or a petstore. Many puppymill puppies are AKC registered - but if they'll ship the dog, it's not a honest breeder.

BTW, I did buy a petstore puppy, years ago, because I didn't know about puppymills. It was AKC registered, but when I heard about puppymills, I looked at the paperwork, and the puppy came from an area of the country with a high rate of puppymills - even the vet told me I was lucky she was healthy, when she found out where I bought her (a store that only sold puppies). I think the majority of people who buy puppies from petstores or backyard breeders have no idea what goes on behind the scenes in the industry.

Just as you need to realize that not every dog that comes from a petstore comes from a puppy mill and not all backyard breeders mistreat their animals. If we had chosen to breed our dog you can be assured that the pups would have been hand raised in a loving enviroment. For goodness sake the dog sleeps on our bed, half the time with her head on my pillow! Hardly a life of living in a cage being half starved and mistreated!

We chose to spay our dog, however we did give some thought to breeding her because she has a wonderful temperment and personality and we would have liked to have one of her pups. By your definition that would have made us "backyard breeders". Like I said, they aren't all bad.

 

[hentob]

A good and honest breeder does not ship puppies, and actually makes little to no money on the sale of puppies.

How do breeders make their living if they do not make money on a puppy sale?

I prefer mutts, but these little westhighland terriers look adorable

 

[tennisfan]

We have a 14 year old Westie, he is a bit slow on his feet now but he has his moments, especially when food is involved Loves to go in the car

He is also amusing if you tell him off as he will go into sulk mode, like a little child.

He rarely barks, only when he sees another dog. We had 2 at one stage but one died when she was 7

He are a couple of photos:

Before his fur cut:

After:

 

[Jynohn]

I'm sorry I offended you - it's just that so many people do not realize that 99% of all puppies sold are sold by puppymills. A good and honest breeder does not ship puppies, and actually makes little to no money on the sale of puppies. No one is trying to make you feel bad, just trying to educate you, and anyone else out there considering buying a puppy from an ad, or a petstore. Many puppymill puppies are AKC registered - but if they'll ship the dog, it's not a honest breeder.

I know of many honest, reputable, highly regarded breeders who ship puppies. Yes, you do have to be more careful with checking out a breeder if you can't personally visit them, but the fact that someone ships puppies doesn't necessarily make them unethical.

Just be sure that you ask for references, look carefully at their sales contract (a breeder who really cares about their puppies will have a contract and will want to be notified if for any reason you can no longer care for your dog), and ask for PROOF of health clearances recommended for your breed.

Good luck in your search!

 

[Jenvenza]

My parents have a Westie. Very yappy and has a nice little temper on him - but he is a sweetie. He will be 12 years old this year.

Just PLEASE don't buy one like you said you might in your original post. Those dogs are coming from puppy mills and that is not something you want to support. Try looking for a Westie Rescue near you.

 

[Jenvenza]

I dont know if anyone posted this or not.

http://www.westierescue.com/regrescue.asp

Maybe that will help!

 

[kacaju]

How do breeders make their living if they do not make money on a puppy sale?

I can't answer for every breeder but I can tell you that most of them hold full time jobs!!

Because we show our dog I know many breeders and most of them hold full time jobs. Also it is incorrect that a good breeder will not ship a puppy. They do and will ship. BUT.... they are not likely to ship a pup to someone they do not know and contacts them via the internet.

 

[MontanaZoo]

To the OP, I'm so glad you're doing your research to find the dog you want without supporting puppy mills.

We recently had a puppy mill shut down near where I live. She had english shepherds and pugs and sold them online for $600 a puppy. The cops took away what dogs they could round up about 180 in the end of December. There's probably another 40 or 50 running around the area that they couldn't get. Ugh, I don't want to give you guys all the gory details, one of my friends that is a zookeeper has been volunteering out where they are keeping the dogs (they are currently evidence) and sent me the official notice of the charges and the conditions they found the dogs in.

He has suggested to people that if you are buying online, ask for vet records, any reputable breeder won't have a problem sending you a copy. Also, I think the rescue groups for the breed know a lot about the puppy mill type breeders. Another zoo keeper told me that puppies really shouldn't leave their mom until 10 weeks, those last couple of weeks is when they get disciplined by mom and learn not to be so bitey so you have less bitey puppy problems.

Hope you find your doggie and that you're very happy together!

 

[Graeme]

Can anyone tell me about these cute little dogs?

I had a Cairn, Dill. She was beautiful and very loyal and loving. Westies are Cairns bred white over the years.

I've found you a site that might be useful

Westie Club of America

 

[mjkacmom]

Just as you need to realize that not every dog that comes from a petstore comes from a puppy mill and not all backyard breeders mistreat their animals. If we had chosen to breed our dog you can be assured that the pups would have been hand raised in a loving enviroment. For goodness sake the dog sleeps on our bed, half the time with her head on my pillow! Hardly a life of living in a cage being half starved and mistreated!

We chose to spay our dog, however we did give some thought to breeding her because she has a wonderful temperment and personality and we would have liked to have one of her pups. By your definition that would have made us "backyard breeders". Like I said, they aren't all bad.

No one said all backyard breeders don't love and care for their dogs - they are usually not educated in HOW to breed dogs, what to look for, what to test for, etc. Just because they're not bad people, and love their pets, doesn't mean they should be breeding their dogs:
http://home.comcast.net/~NoPuppyMillsVA/What_is_a_Backyard_Breeder_/what_is_a_backyard_breeder_.html

 

[java]

Oh they are so cute. And we almost got one. My dd loved them. We found that they have a tendancy to bond with ONE person in the house. My fear was that it might be one of her brothers instead of her. My neighbor has one and it Barks all day long. And she gets tons of attention- just barks like crazy.

 

[wvjules]

Just as you need to realize that not every dog that comes from a petstore comes from a puppy mill and not all backyard breeders mistreat their animals.

What reputable breeder would have their dogs sold at a petstore?

 

[java]

What reputable breeder would have their dogs sold at a petstore?

One that isn't having luck selling the puppies on their own.