Wishing To Purchase A Westie Or A Cavalier

[ally19]

I have a Westie, Mia, who is just over 2 years of age. We have had her from a puppy, she is my shadow when I am at home, but also happy to spend time by her self when I am at work.

I think they are a great breed, mind you teaching her recall has been a challenge and I still do not trust her recall 100% and I am careful were I let her off lead.

I find her very affectionate, but she doesn't want to sit on your lap, but will lay right next to you. Westies do not shed shed, to me is a great advantage.

Mia is very social with people and other dogs, she just loves everyone. She will however chase the neighbours cat, but will also behave herself if she stays at a friends house who has 6 cats, she stayed there for 10 nights, and the cats let her know who was boss !

I have found Mia, my first Westie a great family pet.

I hope you find the right dog for you .

[westiemum]

Hi westielover,

Hmn... two of three of my westies mustn't be normal either!! They love people too - and the girl just loves men the tart!!! The third little boy is getting there (former rescue dog, poorly socialised - you know the story... ) - so all considered I think he's doing very well and people comment on how he's coming along - so I agree its how you raise them, train them and socialise them - like any dog. Mine are loving little white shadows - absolute snugglebums! Yes they can be a bit independent at times - but mine don't bark or dig either - they don't even chase the cat! (although I know some westies do).

Oh and mine have been easy to train in a small group - but hopeless in a big group - too many smells! (Couldn't get his nose off the ground!! He is a terrier after all ).

So don't discount westies - and the fact they are low/no shedding is such a blessing!!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

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

Some entertaining westie threads:

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=106191

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=178200

My opinion may be biased but westies are great dogs

When I got my first two westies, I lived in a townhouse and everything I read about westies suggested that I should not have westies livign in a townhouse situation - apparantly they bark, dig, are fiesty and independant. I committed to ensuring my westies got out every day - went on walks, went to the park and were socialised with all sorts of situations. They were never a problem while I was in the townhouse for 4 years - neighbours never complained (I checked in with them regularly).

Bottom line is - whether you get a cav or a westie - it's the amount of effort you put into that dog which will determine how the dog turns out. Like with everything in life - it all depends on the effort you put it into things. Dogs don't train themselves - nor do they come pre-programmed. They do come with traits but it's all about the effort!

Edited April 15, 2010 by westiemum

[Elsha_UK_AU]

I am biased as I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and have owned the breed before. My boys are just lovely *gushes*.... we waited a long time to get one and then decided to get two as both my husband and I work full time (although different hours) and so they would be alone for a good portion of the day. Everyone we spoke to/questioned didn't think we'd have a problem with two being alone. My older boy was with a pack of CKCS at the Breeders so was outside with them a lot, he has really thrived on the one2one contact my Husband and I have lavished on him....we have them in a routine for when we leave the house and a very spoilt routine for when my husband gets home. They sleep in our bedroom, lay on our couch, follow us everywhere and are just "cuddly" ... well my older boy likes his cuddles, the puppy has to be nearly asleep to cuddle.... otherwise the little begger bites....

I think Westies are lovely looking dogs but have never been around one....

Good Luck making your choice

Susan

[italmum]

Hi there!!

If your not too sure on what breed to go for, I would suggest going to a show and meeting some of the breeders..its a good start to see their temperaments AND you get to see grooming etc...also good place find a good breeder

Good luck though..we just got a CKCS and he wont sleep unless he has had his nightly walk...they really do need the stimulation.

[Elsha_UK_AU]

Hi there!!

If your not too sure on what breed to go for, I would suggest going to a show and meeting some of the breeders..its a good start to see their temperaments AND you get to see grooming etc...also good place find a good breeder

Good luck though..we just got a CKCS and he wont sleep unless he has had his nightly walk...they really do need the stimulation.

We took our two for a walk just as it was getting dark the other night and it was cool out (had been raining earlier).... both of them whined the entire way and seemed glad to be home When I bring the leads out, the puppy looks excited but Tagan just stares at us as if we're mad to even contemplate taking him away from couch time.

:D

[italmum]

hehehe lil lazo lol....I think Ollie is excited for walks as he is new to our area i went for a long walk and he kept looking at me on the way back "begging" for me to stop and pick him up!

[Abigail]

Thanks everyone, I really enjoyed reading your responses

Sounds like the cavalier is definitely the breed for me; my partner loves the westies so therefore, after much contemplation, we have decided to get one of each. I am not working and have all the time in the world to devote

to them and will be providing adequate training. The question now is - will I be allowed to let them sleep in OUR bed? LOL

OH has never had dogs in his bed and perhaps his pride will not allow him to give in too readily but I will work on that :D

[toughgirl27]

Get the Cavalier if you want:

* A dog that will give you non stop loving, follow you around everywhere and basically just want to be with you and cuddle all the time.

* A dog that will want to sleep most of the time, but still likes a bit of a play

* A dog that loves going for daily walks, but will not make a fuss or display bored behaviour when they dont get a walk. They are just as happy to laze around, as long as you are there.

* A dog that gets along with all other animals , is fearless but is not vicious at all

* A dog that is easy to housetrain

* A dog that is easy to groom - just brush a few times a week

* A dog that would be great to have around children

This is my experience after owning a Cavalier for 8 months now - he is the best little guy! So obviously I am biased, but I say Cavalier from a reputable, registered breeder.

Oh Lindainfa,

Arnie is gorgeous!

XXToughgirlXxxxx

[Jed]

Cavs tend to move in, figure out how the house works, and just fit in. They need a lot of people time, and they are generally happy hanging out with the family. They are sporting spaniels, and mine managed to dig up most of my neighbour's 300 acre wheat paddock, searching for mice!! They love to go for walks with you - not too far when they are young - but they love to sit on the couch too.

They invented selective deafness, by the way. Their favourite saying is "take a message and get back to you".

And they graciously agree to share your home, and your life, providing you accord them the treatment they know they deserve.

That is - you become a Cavalier slave!!

A lot do obedience, flyball, etc with success. Some just hang out with their family.

They do shed, particularly when they change their coats with the change of seasons, and should be brushed a couple of times a week, but more often when they are changing coats, or they mat. The ideal cav coat should be fine and silky - these are the easiest to care for, so when you select a pup, go for one with parents with fine silky coats. Some cavs have coarser hair, and some have wavy hair, neither of these coat types is as easy to care for as the ideal coat.

Sleeping on the bed is not absolutely essential, they are happy with their own bed on the floor, provided the bedding is acceptable. Mink is good, rabbit is acceptable, and cashmere blankets are ok in a pinch.

Some are greedy, some are difficult eaters.

MVD can be a problem in the breed. The mode of inheritance is not well understood, and it is possible to purchase a pup from dogs which have clear hearts, and have it develop MVD. However, if the line is clear of MVD in middle age, your chances of getting a pup with MVD are greatly reduced. some kennels are noted for having little or no MVD. If your dog develops a Gr 1 murmur at 8, it's probably not a disasater, but it is if he develops it at 2.

It is believed that feeding raw (as in BARF or prey diet) can retard the onset of murmurs, and can retard their development, once they have appeared. Worth considering.

Of my own dogs, the 12.5 year old one has a Gr 1 murmur, she is the only one affected. The others are checked annually by the vet, and heart scanned occasionally. Breeders should know the heart status of their dogs, and should be prepared to provide clear certificates to buyers.

Also be aware that luxating patellas can be a problem, both parents can have good patellas, and yet the pup still develops patella problems. No slippery floors, not too much jumping up and down from beds, no over exercise will help to keep problems at bay.

Dogs also can develop syringomyelia, but the incidence is 2% so your chances of buying a pup which develops that are very small. Parents can be tested, but it is difficult and expensive, and still doesn't gurantee pups without syringo, so most breeders aren't testing.

Go to a reputable breeder and ask the right questions. Never buy from a byb, puppy farm or unregistered.

Don't worry about those things - they are in the breed, as other problems are in other breeds, just be aware of them, and know that the breeder you choose is also aware of them. None of my dogs have any of those problems, and because they are older, they are mostly from untested parents - but I chose dogs from older parents, or with old living grandparents.

I know nothing about Westies, except they are as cute AS!!

[Boronia]

Good on yer for getting one of each. My two are happy with sofa time but like their walks twice a day, mostly it's sniffin' time.

I can't say what a pup would be like as I got both of mine when they were 8 and 7 years old, they were used as money-makers and bred and bred popping out pups before they were saved by MoriaT http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...t=0&start=0 ... Mac has had little socialisation and takes fright at flappy leads and rope and string, Penny had health problems (seems to be ok now)but is a tart as EVERYONE is her friend.

They are stubborn and have poor recall when there are good scents about or if they don't really want to do your stuff, they like cuddles but in their own time, BUT they are funny and are good value.

I go to the Westie Walkers http://www.westiewalkers.com/ 3 monthly walks and considering there is usually over 30 Westies there there is usually no scrapping. They are pretty laid back.

They like finding RATS!!!

[westielover]

I know nothing about Westies, except they are as cute AS!!

Indeed they are ...... I am biased though :D

(ps. Ruhtless took these gorgeous photos )

[Abigail]

I know nothing about Westies, except they are as cute AS!!

Indeed they are ...... I am biased though

(ps. Ruhtless took these gorgeous photos )

Tooooo cute