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Click on a question to view the answer.
1. How large does a Westie grow to?
2. What is the definition of a registered
breeder?
3. What's the difference between a "Limited
Register" Westie and a "Main Register"
Westie's papers?
4. Are Westies easy to train?
How large does a Westie grow to?
The average height is approximately 28cms (11 inches).
Although no weight is given in the Breed Standard,
the average weight as determined by knowledgeable
breeders is around 8 to 10kg. Male and Female dogs
are generally the same height, but Females normally
weigh less than males.
What is the definition of a registered
breeder?
A breeder who is bound by a Breeder's Code of Ethics,
a contract with the Australian National Kennel Council,
or its affiliated state bodies (eg. Dogs Victoria).
This contract legally binds breeders to register every
litter of pups bred by them and that they are only
to breed purebred dogs (along with other stipulations).
For further information in regards to purebred dogs,
their breeders and the purebred database please contact
Dogs Victoria www.dogsvictoria.org.au
and/or the ANKC www.ankc.org.au.
Dogs Victoria require all new applicants who apply
for a breeder's prefix to pass an exam on breeding
practices, that also covers ethical standards and
genetics.
What's the difference between a "Limited
Register" Westie and a "Main Register"
Westie's papers?
A dog with Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)
Limited Registration papers is still a purebred dog,
however it does hold some restrictions.
Limited registration is designed for dogs that are
going to be pets and / or dogs that are not going
to be used as breeding animals. Not because
there is anything necessarily wrong with them, but
because either the breeder or the owner has decided
that they will not or should not produce puppies.
A dog with Limited registration papers still a registered
purebred dog! The only difference is that if
the dog is used for breeding his or her pups cannot
be registered. The dog cannot be entered in
conformation (Championship) shows since this is a
show case of breeding animals only. They can
enter and gain points and titles in activity related
events, such as obedience trials, agility, fly ball,
etc.
Limited registration came about because some breeders
were withholding registration papers from pups that
went to non-breeding homes. Most of these breeders
were not trying to be fraudulent or mean, they were
just trying to protect the breed and their breeding
lines against puppy mills and back yard breeders.
Limited Registrations allow breeders selling non-breeding
dogs to the public to still provide pedigree papers
without the risk of compromising their blood lines.
Full Registration is for breeding dogs and those
that are being actively shown in the conformation
ring. If you are not a breeder and you are not
planning on showing your dog, you do not need full
registration on your dog. The only difference
between Limited and Full registration is that with
Full registration, the papers that you get are blue
instead of orange, and if your dog has pups, they
can be registered with either Full or Limited registration.
Limited registration can be changed to Full registration
by the breeder once the dog has meet whatever criteria
the breeder has set forth to do so.
Are Westies easy to train?
Each Westie differs. Westies are very intelligent
and eager to please, however when you bring a new
Westie puppy home, you must be stringent on what you
do and don't allow. Yes they are cute, (especially
when they are puppies) but remember that you have
a future of 12-15 years together and sooner or later
that cute factor just doesn't cut it anymore. Westies
are known to be stubborn, so you must be even more
so. They are certainly opportunists and if there is
even a slight hint of leniency to the rules, they
most certainly will take advantage of it. The best
way to distract your Westie from misbehaving, is simply
to have something better on offer for them, usually
a food treat or favourite toy will work. A Westie
will always look at a situation and want to know what's
in it for them, so use the rating scale of what gets
your Westies attention and what items holds their
attention. For food orientated Westies, always keep
a selection of favourite treats. The bigger the distraction,
the better your treats must be.
Westies love being amongst the happenings, so to reprimand
them, simply isolate them away from the activities
for a period of time (10-20 minutes). It will certainly
have them thinking about repeating that action again.
But all in all your Westies behaviour is dependant
upon how much time you put into training them and
continue to reinforce the rules. Consistency is the
key, so you need to be consistent if you expect your
Westie to be!
About 10 Westies have held obedience titles in Australia
since the formation of the West Highland White Terrier
Club of Victoria in 1978. These dogs are no longer
living, but records can be obtained from the Dogs
Victoria and governing bodies in other states. Many
Westies hold obedience titles in America.
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