Small dog breeds

[sam28]

Here here. Another westie lover here!

I have a 3 year old boy westie and he is the most gorgeous , intelligent and gentlest little dog .
We have just bought (on sunday) a baby westie girl, called Lola and she is 8 weeks old, and sooo cute.
They get on like a house on fire !!
I have 2 kids as well and can wholeheartedly say that Westies are the most lovely natured pooches in my opinion.

If you do go for a westie, you won't go far wrong.:hug:

Elaine xx:hug:

Aw Lola !! Same name as my westie !!

 

[sam28]

If she is having a phantom,she will nest,the vet can't do anything,is there a chance she could be expecting ?

No definitely not, we havent had her bits sorted yet though, because we are wanting to breed her (she's three), definitely think its a phantom, bless her ! xx

 

[nailzoo]

No definitely not, we havent had her bits sorted yet though, because we are wanting to breed her (she's three), definitely think its a phantom, bless her ! xx

nearly all female dogs go through something like this, i think it's just instinct, a true phantom pregnancy is a nightmare, they bloat, pant, gather every toy they have, nest, whimper, lose appetite, then gorge.

I have spent many silly dollars even having mine x-rayed in the past (you get used to it).

my bitch was mated 30 days ago and i'm the one having kittens ATM, i'm stressed to the max, rubbing her tummy, feeling for movement................... it's a long 63 days, I tell you...

gimme a bloody valium, she's due the weekend of the nail comps ......

 

[sam28]

nearly all female dogs go through something like this, i think it's just instinct, a true phantom pregnancy is a nightmare, they bloat, pant, gather every toy they have, nest, whimper, lose appetite, then gorge.

I have spent many silly dollars even having mine x-rayed in the past (you get used to it).

my bitch was mated 30 days ago and i'm the one having kittens ATM, i'm stressed to the max, rubbing her tummy, feeling for movement................... it's a long 63 days, I tell you...

gimme a bloody valium, she's due the weekend of the nail comps ......

OMG ! Thats exactly what she's doing, panting, whimpering, wont let go of this little toy (which was my daughters), she sits and licks it and carries it like its her baby. She was sat on the top of the settee yesterday evening and panting like mad, I had to move her cos her breath stunk of dog food :lol:. We want to mate her but being honest havent looked into it yet so dont know the do and donts (obviously I know HOW it happens !). Bet you are having kittens, I would. You will have to post some pics when she has them !

 

[jeanette1804]

the trouble with chihuahuas is they are not always good with children. dont like the noise and running around. mine hates kids and strangers but as always been introduced to them as a 9 week old puppy. he is 2 now and still get nervous around them. try something a little bigger like a west highland white they are such good fun

 

[* Helen *]

I am another with a German Shepard & although he is rather big & moults A LOT ... she is the best dog I have ever had with kids. I wouldnt part with her for anything.

A small dog which we had 4 growing up was Cocker Spaniels & with a family with 7 kids, we never had a problem with.

We also have a jack russell, but she is rather grumpy!! :lol:

Good luck with choosing your dog!

 

['chelle]

I am another with a German Shepard & although he is rather big & moults A LOT ... she is the best dog I have ever had with kids. I wouldnt part with her for anything.

Here here!! My GSD is moulting like MAD at the moment.

I agree though that the german shepherd is the best dog ever, and they are fantastic family dogs. It may seem daunting to consider such a large dog, but I can honestly say that in my opinion GSD's are one of, if not the best breed of dog to have with kids. I have friends with small dogs that are a bit nippy and they have to keep them away from the kids. When young kids come to visit me, my dog rolls onto her back to have her tummy tickled, and the kids love stroking her, she is such a softie.

If you did consider one though, you will need to make sure you have the time. They are intelligent dogs so with the right training they are impeccably behaved (look at police dogs), but they do need you to spend the time training them, exercising them etc, and you will need to read up on the breed as they have some quite specific potential health problems that you will need to know how to avoid.

I love German Shepherds, can you tell?:lol:

 

[princess fifi]

Hello

I Love Silky Terriers, They are gorgeous, I grew up with them, we had two.
They were fine with my sisters and myself when we were younger.
They can be long haired or short haired depending on the breed.
They are so cut and expressive, I love westies as well, they would be my second choice.
If you type in Silky terrier into google search then click images you will see some beautiful pictures of them.

 

[VHunter]

While I do agree that certain breeds have certain tendencies, I do NOT agree that one is better for a child than another.
It depends on the dog's basic personality and their upbringing.

I had 2 pekingese.
Brother and sister. Same litter, I bought them at 3mths of age.
The sister was a nightmare: very high strung and yappy. Nippy with children and didn't like anyone.
The brother (George) is an absolute doll, fabulous with the kids and loves everyone and everyone loves him. Very calm... great with cats...

So my advice is don't look too hard at the breed, but look at the "personality" of a dog.

hth's:hug:

 

[sam28]

While I do agree that certain breeds have certain tendencies, I do NOT agree that one is better for a child than another.
It depends on the dog's basic personality and their upbringing.

I had 2 pekingese.
Brother and sister. Same litter, I bought them at 3mths of age.
The sister was a nightmare: very high strung and yappy. Nippy with children and didn't like anyone.
The brother (George) is an absolute doll, fabulous with the kids and loves everyone and everyone loves him. Very calm... great with cats...

So my advice is don't look too hard at the breed, but look at the "personality" of a dog.

hth's:hug:

I agree, Staffordshire Bull Terrier's are meant to be great with kids, but my other half got one and paid a fortune for it, took it back two days later, it used to corner everyone in the house and go for them. I also had a yorkshire terrier and it was a nightmare, you couldnt touch it, you couldnt get your shoes out of the cupboard because it used to guard them all. I used to have to get my shoes out with the end of a wooden spoon :lol: I think a great thing to look for/ask is overbreeding, that tends to be when they start turning in my opinion (when they are overbread) and obviously if they are brought up with children they dont know any different. Always look at the mothers temprement. I think most of you will agree, its just the luck of the draw at the end of the day. I know a gorgeous rottie thats huge and really a big softie and they have such bad press (understandably in the cases they are mentioned in obviously) so who knows ??:hug:

 

[lancslass]

well guys im going to see some male westie 8 week old pups and dreading it as i wont want to leave any behind but at £350 i might have to lol

is there any advice you can give me on what to ask the breeder as i dont want to end up with a pup with loads of problems

the mum amd dad can be viewed i know that and they have been wormed but no jabs

what else should i ask her

i want a westie with the pointed ears as well and these have floppy ears but im hoping its just a pup thing and they will point as they get older

any advice will be helpful

xxxxx

 

[maguire]

You don't want one that is to shy or to forward, the ears are a pup thing they should start standing up when they are a few months old, you want to ask if the mother or father or any forefather/mothers have had any problems back/legs etc, you also want papers if they are pedigree, they will send them to you from the kennel club, thats if they are registered which with the amount of money you are paying I would asume they are registered. ou want to look at the eyes if they are weepy ask them what it is, the nose should be cold and wet/damp if the mother is available take a good look at her is she looking well she maybe a bit thin but should not be to thin is her fur lustre or dull that will give you an indication to how well looked after she has been through and during her pregnancy.
See which one comes to you. They should all look bright eyed,
Once you have got your pup ask if they have something like a peice o0f cloth with the smell of the litter on that they could give you or maybe a small toy that they play with, it might help when settling it in.
Take the pup to the vet as soon as you can for a thorough examination and the vet will tell you everything you need to know what puppy foods to buy as they cannot have adult dog food at this stage it is to rich for them. Sorry this is long. THEN ENJOY

 

[BessieBoo]

I agree with Maguire really. Westies should be really brave and be really pleased to see you. If they aren't full of life and really active (!) walk away! Make sure you get a good look at the mum. Do you know if they have been socialised? See where they are sleeping - if they are in the house they will usually be used to noises like the vacumn cleaner, washing machine etc. This will mean that kids, noisy tv's etc doesn't frighten them.

To be honest, I think £350 is very cheap for a Pedigree Westie Pup. I've just paid £700 each for my two. Yes they have first class pedigrees, but just make sure that there is nothing wrong! Can I ask where you found about them? Was it the Kennel Club?


Good Luck - you will love them sooooooo much!!!!


x

 

[lancslass]

have decided against the £350 ones as no papers now off to see £500 ones in preston that are still with there mother and not ready to leave until 9th of AUGUST

back soon to let you all know what happens xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[adelekeegan1]

have decided against the £350 ones as no papers now off to see £500 ones in preston that are still with there mother and not ready to leave until 9th of AUGUST

back soon to let you all know what happens xxxxxxxxxxxx

Good luck, they are great.

I have HRH and she periodically suffers from skin problems ( as do many Westies) so please ask the breeder if her line has this problem. xx

 

[lancslass]

well just got back and im the soon to be proud owner of a pedigree west highland terrier pup.

i will be able to collect him next saturday on his 8 week birthday

oh my god the place he is at is amazing both the mother and father greeted us and all 8 pups where in the cream of kennels and so full of life and pleased to see us.

As the lady said she only had one left i was worried it might be the runt of the litter but it wasnt he is a fine looking chunky monkey of a westie and he had plenty of kisses for his new mummy lol

pictures will be posted when my boy has come home

full kc pedigree certificate was seen by us as well and this is the 3rd litter

the lady has a massive stables as well and my daughter asked if she could have a horse and i said YES HUNNIE PICK FOUR lmao

bless her

Lisa xxx

p.s thanks for all the advice i have received on this matter

 

[VHunter]

Of course I would, many dogs are a reflection of their owners and how they are brought up.

Many people comment on how obedient my dog is, and I say "thats because I foot her up the ass" .... (obviously I don't, but I am stern with her).

They always say, "you can't do that, she is too cute", these people have disobedient dogs, they have never trained them, nor chastised them .... because they are too cute.

Well, honey, it's just like kids, you let them get away with it, they will manipulate you as much as they can.

It's called a "spoilt dog", or even worse .... a "spoilt kid", there's no point closing the gate when the horse has bolted, you have to train and persist with a puppy from a very young age (no matter how cute it is), otherwise you will end up with a monster thats demands the best of food, chews shoes, eats furniture and craps all over your house ....... this includes dogs with a demanding appetite for fillet steak .... it's "you" who introduced them to fillet steak luv, no point whinging ... my dad always said "if they don't eat it, they ain't hungry enough".

YOU control the behaviour of your dog .....

DITTO DITTO DITTO!!
Exactly!!

And as someone else already pointed out, often, little dogs are more on the offensive than bigger dogs and inclined to be nippy. Why? because of their size, they have a lot more to be afraid of and more to prove. Bigger dogs are more of the attitude "i can take your a**, and don't need to prove it" :lol: Much more calmer

BUT as I have also said... it has more to do with upbringing than anything else. I have had purebreds and mutts. Small and large. All of our dogs have been fabulously well behaved. Only the one (George's sister) that wasn't and that was as much my fault as it was her temperment as I was working full time plus overtime and didn't have as much time to devote to their training. George turned out as well as he did more so due to his own nature than my own efforts.

My preference? Mixed Breed medium to large size dogs. I love my Pure Peke BUT, I would never get a small or pure dog again. Fickle health due to all the inbreeding over the centuries and I truly do love bigger dogs more.

hth's

 

[BessieBoo]

Ooh!!!! Fantastic- very pleased you plumped for the Westie, I'm sure you will never regret it, they are great. My two pups are trying as we speak to dig a hole to Australia. Complete team work - he digs for a bit, she rests. She takes over, he rests !

Can't wait to see the pics. What you gonna call him?


x

 

[sam28]

well just got back and im the soon to be proud owner of a pedigree west highland terrier pup.

i will be able to collect him next saturday on his 8 week birthday

oh my god the place he is at is amazing both the mother and father greeted us and all 8 pups where in the cream of kennels and so full of life and pleased to see us.

As the lady said she only had one left i was worried it might be the runt of the litter but it wasnt he is a fine looking chunky monkey of a westie and he had plenty of kisses for his new mummy lol

pictures will be posted when my boy has come home

full kc pedigree certificate was seen by us as well and this is the 3rd litter

the lady has a massive stables as well and my daughter asked if she could have a horse and i said YES HUNNIE PICK FOUR lmao

bless her



Lisa xxx

p.s thanks for all the advice i have received on this matter

Oh thats brill, you will love it to bits !!! Post some pics on your profile for us to have a look at xx

 

[lancslass]

will do xxx