West Highland White Terriers An Owner's Companion by Roger Wright
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This is the book I should have bought for Katie (my middle daughter) as part of her 18th Birthday present. Instead we bought her the dog! Well actually on the day of her birthday she got his collar tag – Barney arrived a couple of weeks later when he was old enough to leave his mother. We hadn't set out to get a Westie but friends had a litter and there was one male left. Katie didn't so much choose Barney as he chose her by coming to her and sitting on her foot! He had been the runt of the litter and was initially hand fed but he's now strong and healthy and the apple of his mistress's eye.
West Highland White Terriers (Westie) are as their name suggests one of the Scottish terrier breeds. A dog something like the Westie has existed for centuries. As to their exact origins there is some mystery but there seems to be common ancestry with Cairn Terriers.
One of the most influential figures in the story of the West Highland White Terrier is Colonel Edward Malcolm of Poltalloch. Whilst other breeders were destroying white or light coloured dogs, thinking them to be weak or unlucky, he set out to keep the light coloured dogs and used them as working terriers in the hills and glens. In 1905 he became Chairman of the White West Highland Terrier Club which was formed in Glasgow. In 1906 in England another club was started wishing to be called the West Highland White Terrier Club. The Kennel Club had to make the final decision about the breed name and in November 1906 decided that the breed should be called The West Highland White Terrier but acknowledged the Scottish Club as the founding club. Since then the breed has gone from strength to strength. No longer bred for work they are now popular as pets and show dogs.
Roger Wright has a chapter on 'Owning a West Highland White' which outlines why he thinks the breed is gaining in popularity. They are small dogs and therefore don't take up much room. They adapt well to living in both town and country and are happy with a long walk through the countryside or a short stroll in the park. They are fairly easy to train and like to please. Westies are friendly creatures and get on well with people and other dogs.
One of the chapters in the book gives the British and American Breed Standards for this dog. It is the characteristics and temperament that I found most interesting. West Highland White Terriers should be “Small, active, game, hardy, possessed of no small amount of self-esteem with a varminty appearance.” In temperament they should be “alert, gay, courageous, self-reliant and friendly.” (page 37). Perhaps most obviously their coats should be white!
Barney was born on 11th September and came to live with Katie at the beginning of November and he certainly has lived up to the above characteristics and temperament! He was not particularly upset at coming to this strange place and spent a lot of time exploring the living room, before curling up beside his bed for a snooze. Then he met the cats! At the time he was smaller than them and I think they wondered what this little bundle of fur was, but they soon worked out he was another of those pesky canine beings. Our cats have lived with dogs all their lives so they know a thing or two about them. Barney wanted (and still wants) to be friends with them but they don't share the feeling.
Barney's best animal friend is Ben, our Gordon Setter/Collie cross who is 12. He was very patient with Barney who loved to chase Ben's tail, chew his ears and generally be a nuisance. We thought Ben might tell Barney off but he didn't – sometimes he would bark but more often than not he would look pathetically at us and we would have to stop Barney from pestering him. The two dogs love racing around the garden together – well, Barney races, Ben plods these days! Barney loves going outside, he can get out through the cat-flap (or should I say, the hole where the flap should be!) We can hear him coming or going as his tag rattles against the door.
As with most dogs Barney likes company and he enjoys going out and about. Katie brings him into Hay-On-Wye on a Thursday when my husband and any available daughters come to the market. Sometimes she brings him down to Rose's Books – it's a good thing my colleagues like dogs. One of his first outings was to a book launch where he met and was admired by a lot of people. Barney took it all in his stride as if to the manor born! If her car door is open it is an invitation to Barney to go for a ride – he doesn't mind where as long as he is with Katie.
The book also has chapters on showing dogs but I don't think Barney will ever make it to the show ring. He is more often 'off-white' than white. Something not helped by his tendency to help load the dishwasher or his fascination for the coal or log fire. Grooming him can be a struggle but he is getting better and when first brushed he looks lovely and fluffy. That soon changes as he dashes off outside to investigate new smells, new sounds or just to play.
The book also has chapters on breeding, ailments and diseases and details of famous kennels and their champions. Barney may never feature as a Champion in any book but he has certainly brought a lot of pleasure to his owner – and he is only 8 months old!
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Contributed by Catriona.
(Published on 17th Dec 2014 )
