Terrier Dogs

According to all sources, West Highland Terriers are born hunters, bred for killing rats and vermin:

Originally bred to hunt vermin, they will make it their job to keep your garden free of birds and squirrels! Terrier Dogs

But recently I discovered mice had been in our ‘junk’ cupboard under the stairs. Horrified, I emptied the cupboard out but I couldn’t see where the mice were getting in. So I called in the help of my ‘born hunter’ Westie, Monty.

I fully expected him to go mad sniffing around, on the scent of vermin, and start scratching and digging in the mouse-iest corner.

Nothing!

He went into the cupboard, then just looked up at me as if to say ‘Yes? And? So?’. Born hunter my ****!

Is your Westie a born hunter? I know mine isn’t!

westie

The New Victoria Theatre in Woking is holding a competition to find a West Highland Terrier to dog in Tintin.

The dog will be playing Snowy, Tintin’s faithful companion, and as well as looking like the West Highland terrier, it needs to be lovable, faithful, obedient and, of course, photogenic.

I don’t think my Westie would be able to do this, he’s far too naughty! Monty would probably run off into the audience in search of chocolate!

west highland terrier

Does my Westie, Monty, recognise his own breed? Are they all distantly related cousins that have a ‘family smell’?

Monty, my Westie

Whenever we’re in the park he seems to get very excited and playful if he meets another West Highland White terrier. Much more so than when he meets any other breed of dog.

Does your westie do the same? Or is it just Monty?

Do other dog breeds seem to recognise their own type too?

I’ve never read about it anywhere…. so let me know!

Find out more about West Highland Whites

west highland terrier

Well, lets get some thing straight from the start….

our West Highland Terrier is many colours - not all of them white!

White - when he’s just come back from the groomers.

Brown - when he’s been digging in the garden - often! Mainly just up to his elbows and his tummy.

Grey - when the thickest of the soil has been rubbed off the white fur is still a bit grey.

Green - yesterday! He spend the day (noisily) chasing Martin and the lawnmower round the garden - and came in with green paws from the cut grass! (pics to follow!)

So West Highland White Terrier???  Sometimes!

west highland terrier

I have to admit my love of terrier dogs has grown over the last couple of years since we got our very own, West Highland White Terrier, Montgomery Burns. Or Monty, as he’s generally known.

Since having Monty, I can spot a terrier a mile away! Just by the way they walk and carry themselves or play!

Terriers are full of mischeif and playfulness.

Our Westie is generally ‘house-trained’, but definitely not obedience trained! I’m not sure if other terrier owners have this problem, or I’m just a very bad dog trainer!

Let me know if your terrier is perfectly trained!

terrier dogswest highland terrier