Wishing To Purchase A Westie Or A Cavalier

[Bilbo Baggins]

If you brush your cvas regulary they will not leave as much hair around the place.

[Abigail]

Hmmmm - one of my westies mustn't be normal - he LOVES people!!

LOL - that is funny westielover. So I guess there is always the exception to the rule or perhaps all dogs love people anyway. :D

[KaiGSD&Cav]

We have had a Cavalier for 18mths, and although we haven't had a Westie the ones I know are totally different to Summer. She is very gentle, hardly ever barks, happy to lay around all day while we are at work/school and then have a huge burst of zoomies with our Shepherd when outside, or a run in the park with the kids. I have never been a small dog person, but she is the sweetest little dog I have ever met.

[Greytmate]

For instance, as great as they are I would never own a beagle as I have constantly heard that once their nose in on the ground they develop selective hearing. I don't want to offend anyone that happens to own a beagle but I am just giving an example of what I do not want in a dog.

Selective hearing can happen in any breed. While a cav maybe easier to distract from a scant than a beagle, there are things cavs like doing that can make them selectively deaf too. The only solution is training.

A cavalier will probably be easier to train than a terrier, but it will still require regular training if you want to avoid selective hearing.

[Dogsfevr]

.I am not interested in a dog that is content to do its own thing,

I would consider a westie to fit into this area,nearly all the ones we board are like this but then for me this is a good aspect because any dog should be able to amuse itself without humans all the time

[KaiGSD&Cav]

For instance, as great as they are I would never own a beagle as I have constantly heard that once their nose in on the ground they develop selective hearing. I don't want to offend anyone that happens to own a beagle but I am just giving an example of what I do not want in a dog.

Selective hearing can happen in any breed. While a cav maybe easier to distract from a scant than a beagle, there are things cavs like doing that can make them selectively deaf too. The only solution is training.

A cavalier will probably be easier to train than a terrier, but it will still require regular training if you want to avoid selective hearing.

Yes, such as birds in the park, Summer just loves birds :D :D

[Dogsfevr]

Plus i think people forget that cavaliers are sporting spaniels as such should havea sporting spaniel nature which means active

Edited April 15, 2010 by showdog

[julesluvscavs]

Plus i think people forget that cavaliers are sporting spaniels as such should havea sporting spaniel nature which means active

Joey loves chasing and yapping at birds, and hunting mice, he lives for it !

Edited April 15, 2010 by JulesLuvsCavs

[W Sibs]

My experience with a Cav x (shih tzu).

He needs to be walked at least one a day or else he will go crazy, which will drive me insane. He is an awesome hunter of lizards, roaches and anything small and moves. He loves to hunt and a very curious dog. I don't dare to let him get bored (although he is never a naughty puppy).

He needs to be brush everyday for 10 minutes and frequently groomed (badly.. since i cut his fur for him!)

He has an awesome temperament. Gentle, quiet and placid. Total mama's boy. Always up for an adventure with me but then again we can sleep in together on weekends. Doing absolutely nothing is fine with him too as long as he is with me. Love people and dogs. He is amazing with kids.

Very curious little fella, very cheeky and full of attitude.. i love that. Can be somewhat bossy but he is very grateful after you do what he wants you to do for him. Great alarm dog.

Easy to train because his goal in life it to make me happy. Oh, Charlie is a snorer and a big bed hog.

Edited April 15, 2010 by charleswentworth

[aussielover]

I was not aware cavs are heavy shedders! You leaarn something new each day

You could get one of each!

I agree with westielover: it is the amount of effort you put into looking after the dog that determines what king of pet it will be and how it will behave.

Of course getting a breed that is more suited to yourlifestyle will make it easier.

[cavmad]

If you brush your cvas regulary they will not leave as much hair around the place.

It must be just mine then..........I brush them 3-4 times a week otherwise I end up with a tangled, matted nightmare and still the hair is everywhere (not that I am complaining as I love love love my cavvies). It's just something to be aware of. I have a furminator but they both hate it, particularly Cooper who is quite lean...it doesnt matter how gentle I am!

[Sayly]

Westie grooming is not just brushing, it is hand stripping which can be difficult to learn and takes a bit of time. Some people shave them which softens the coat and I don't particularly like it and think it ruins the coat, someone with more Westie experience may be able to speak further about this.

Westies CAN be great dogs, but this takes time and effort to get there. They need to be purchased from a good breeder with dogs with stable temprements and then well socialised, this means you will need to take them out of your own yard and get them out and about as much as possible. Many dogs (of any breed) don't simply find a large amount of space to be adequate for their mental and physical needs, often they don't exercise themselves and still require walking and training.

Westies are terriers, if something catches their nose they are likely to be pretty selective in their hearing too.

From what you have said, a Cav sounds more suitable although any breed will need to get out and about and be socialised to become well rounded dogs who won't be fearful and destructive.

[GoldenGirl85]

I think you would be better off with the Cav, they really are such a people dog, my mum has 2 of them and they are more than happy sitting on your lap

As for the shedding neither of my mums Cavs shed a great deal, most of the hair on the floor was from my JRT, so long as they get brushed a few times a week you will be right

As for the Westie, Im not experienced with them at all, but I do have a terrier and they are very independent and can be very hard to train, they can be quite pig headed, where as the Cavs just want to please you

[TeamSnag]

What attracts you to each of these breeds?

They are VERY different in temperament.

Agree with above,do you want indoor/outdoor.

Which coat would you prefer to deal with ??

Westies are terriers & can have that spunky terrier nature that one must be prepared for

i never knew how aggressive they are to each other (westies) I sat near the terrier ring last time i showed and geezz once one started they all did!!

[westielover]

What attracts you to each of these breeds?

They are VERY different in temperament.

Agree with above,do you want indoor/outdoor.

Which coat would you prefer to deal with ??

Westies are terriers & can have that spunky terrier nature that one must be prepared for

i never knew how aggressive they are to each other (westies) I sat near the terrier ring last time i showed and geezz once one started they all did!!

Westies aren't generally aggressive - perhaps in the show ring it may be different as they are all un-desexed.

The NSW Westie Club has 2 social functions a year at a property at Galston and there can be 60-70 westies running around off lead having a great time. There may be a scrap occasionally but it's generally one particular dog who is a little anti social due to his numpty owners (they don't come often thankfully!!).

Now Scotties are a different story - they can be narky little buggers!!

Finally, just wanted to add that terriers aren't that hard to train at all. My westies LOVE clicker training and are very responsive to training and always have been. They are more food motivated than toy motivated. They also love chasing wild rabbits and always come back after a chase. You just need to train your dog to check in with you and keep an eye on you - dogs don't generally want to run away from their 'pack'.

Anyway - all dogs are different I suppose.

Edited April 15, 2010 by westielover

[TeamSnag]

Sorry yes i should of said in the show ring lol and while ppl were grooming them on there trolleys lol

[Sayly]

See westielover I have met a breeder who has the most darling Scotties I have ever met or seen. No aggression at all, absolutely, gorgeous, sweet dogs. Yet I have seen some very narky Scotties too - which highlights my point above of getting a dog from a good breeder.

Having been involved with terriers since I was born and now working dogs, I have found terriers are much more difficult to train, personally. They need a different sort of training and more patience I think. However, I have no doubt some terrier individuals are easier to train than some working dogs individuals.

[Gretel]

If you brush your cvas regulary they will not leave as much hair around the place.

It must be just mine then..........I brush them 3-4 times a week otherwise I end up with a tangled, matted nightmare and still the hair is everywhere (not that I am complaining as I love love love my cavvies). It's just something to be aware of. I have a furminator but they both hate it, particularly Cooper who is quite lean...it doesnt matter how gentle I am!

Try using a rubber mitt on them

[westielover]

See westielover I have met a breeder who has the most darling Scotties I have ever met or seen. No aggression at all, absolutely, gorgeous, sweet dogs. Yet I have seen some very narky Scotties too - which highlights my point above of getting a dog from a good breeder.

Having been involved with terriers since I was born and now working dogs, I have found terriers are much more difficult to train, personally. They need a different sort of training and more patience I think. However, I have no doubt some terrier individuals are easier to train than some working dogs individuals.

He he - I must admit that I have met some really lovely Scotties too

I have been to a few 'black & white days' - where the Scotty club & Westie Club get together and play games etc - and overall the scotties at those functions seem to be a bit more 'uptight' than the westies.

Working dogs are awesome to train - I have a kelpie here at the moment and he's easy to train .... but a hell of a lot more energetic than a westie :( The westies do love to play chasings with the Kelpie ..... though they can't catch him :D He's an awesome dog though - he gets down to their level to play - so cute!!!

[Sayly]

Westies do seem to be an easier breed to own out of the terriers (in general of course), more average-family-friendly dogs than some other terriers (like the Scotties, Irish, Kerries etc).

I love the stubborness of the terriers and working out how to train them, but they can be bloody frustrating at times! The Aussie Shepherds are a real joy to work with though, for me.

ETA: I know a fantastic Westie who is very well behaved, trusted off lead, not dog (or people) aggressive in any way and lets many strange dogs come into his house and lay on his couch with nothing more than a dirty look. He even lets Holly play with his toys without becoming agro, and he loves his toys. But he has been so well socialised from day one, he was taken everywhere and still is. He has always had strange dogs coming into his home and so it's no big deal. He's an easy dog to live with and take everywhere.

Edited April 15, 2010 by Lyndsay