Riley is 7 years old and is epileptic. He was diagnosed at just 18 months old with idiopathic epilepsy which has proved increasingly difficult to control. Despite taking a plethora of medication Riley still suffers with clusters of fits every few weeks.

Early Signs of Westie Diabetes

When Riley became unwell a few weeks ago we thought it may be the start of an epileptic episode. It quickly became evident that this was something different and whatever it was Riley was deteriorating quite quickly. We took him to the vets who suspected an infection. He was started on antibiotics, anti-sickness, and other medications whilst blood and urine tests were sent for analysis. The tests were repeated the following week to check that the antibiotics were working but instead of getting better Riley’s condition worsened, he became unsteady on his feet, was very lethargic and continued to lose weight. To make matters worse he started to have a cluster of fits which lasted a couple of days.

We returned to the vet for urgent blood and urine testing. We were shocked when the vet advised us that Riley had really high glucose in both his blood and urine, combined with his physical symptoms the clinical signs were pointing towards him being diabetic. All his previous tests were compared including those taken a few days prior. All were clear. The prognosis was that he was experiencing the early symptoms and side effects of diabetes mellitus.

When Riley’s blood glucose was tested again the next morning it was still high so we needed to start injecting insulin twice a day. We were taught how to inject him and given a very quick lesson in what to expect and how to treat hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Diabetes is not particularly common in Westies but can develop in any breed at any time.

Coping with a diabetes diagnosis

This was another massive learning curve for us to ensure that we understood the symptoms and implications of diabetes and how we could help Riley. Just as we started insulin treatment Riley started to have another cluster of fits, over three days he had a dozen fits. We had a dreadful weekend not knowing if his lethargy and difficulty walking was due to the fits or diabetes. We visited the vet again on the Monday. The vet repeated the fructosamine tests which confirmed the diabetes diagnosis. What a roller coaster!

We have now been treating Riley for a few weeks and thankfully he has had no further fits. At this stage he is on a very low dose of insulin and we are watching him carefully while we learn how his body needs the insulin to help him getting nourishment from his food. We have only once had to use rescue glucose due to hypoglycemia but diabetes, we are learning, is quite complex. Factors such as a longer walk, increased activity, being sick or unwell can all have an affect on how the insulin works. Riley was an average size Westie and over a few weeks his weight has plummeted due to the Diabetes. He is constantly hungry and thirsty.

What caused a 7 year old Westie to become diabetic?

What we know at the moment is that his body is not producing enough insulin. He had pancreatitis just over a year ago and this may have caused some damage that stopped the pancreas working properly.

As for Riley as always he has taken this in his stride! He waits patiently for his injections which don’t seem to bother him and just carries on. At the moment he is not regaining weight despite an increase in his meals.

What is Diabetes and what are the symptoms?

Diabetes Mellitus is a condition where the pancreas either fails to produce insulin or where cells are no longer able to use the insulin that is being produced. There are two types of canine diabetes Type 1 is insulin dependant, this is where the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. Type 2 is insulin resistant, where cells respond incorrectly to the insulin that is produced. Both types of diabetes results in the muscles and organs being starved of energy as the the glucose present which has been metabolised from food, can not be converted. In both types of diabetes excessive amounts of glucose will be found in the blood.

The symptoms of both types of diabetes are the same. A Westie with diabetes will be hungry a lot of the time as the body can not convert the glucose into energy. They will become lethargic and often loose weight despite maintaining a normal or increased diet. Blood glucose will be high and will also often be found in the urine. Diabetes causes increased thirst leading a dog to drink more. Due to the change in urine concentration dogs will often need to urinate more frequently or may start to have ‘accidents’. The increased urination can lead to the dog becoming dehydrated which places them at greater risk of an infection. Diabetes can also affect the liver and the eyes.

What are the different types of Diabetes?

Insulin dependant diabetes mellitus, Type 1 where the pancreas no longer produces sufficient insulin, can occur at any age. Type 2 diabetes which is insulin resistant diabetes is often seen in older dogs, particularly if they are overweight.

Diabetes is a serious illness which needs to be identified and treated rapidly to avoid damage to organs. Unfortunately there is no cure but both types of diabetes can be managed. Insulin dependant diabetes, Type 1, will require twice daily doses of insulin to be administered. Insulin resistant diabetes, type 2, can often be managed by a change in diet.

It is a good idea to keep a daily diary to record of symptoms and diet. We have kept a record of medication doses, time given, meals, drinking, mobility and mood.

Monitoring Diabetes at home

You can buy urine-dip sticks for daily testing to keep an eye our for excessive glucose and ketones.  Urine tests don’t help with dosing but will warn you if large quantities of glucose are passing through the system.

Ask your vet about using a blood glucose testing kit at home. The kits come complete with lances and testing strips for you to test a tiny blood sample each day. The advantage with this system is that you can share the results with your vet and quickly alter the insulin dose. Devices are readily available from major pet stores.

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There are many reasons why a Westie may end up in need of a new home. Each Westie in care or a rescue service will have a story. Most will be adult dogs.

The majority of Westies arriving into homes or rescue centres are due to a change in family circumstances. Dogs are surrendered as they can no longer be cared for. This can be due to a bereavement, arrival of children, changes in home circumstances or a change in financial circumstances. They are often loved and have been well looked after.

Dogs are sometimes found as strays and handed to dog wardens. Unfortunately there are also heartbreaking situations where Westies have been rescued from unsuitable or appalling conditions including puppy farms.

Finding a Westie to rehome

Westies will occasionally be found in all breed dogs homes but in most instances they will be passed to a breed specific rescue service. When a Westie has been surrendered there will often be a detailed history given which helps rescue centres to rehome him. These dogs will be checked by a vet and offered for rehome quite quickly. Dogs are usually chipped, spayed or neutered, wormed and treated for fleas before being offered for adoption. Most Westie rescue centres don’t operate a ‘dogs home’ so Westies will usually be placed with a foster carer until they are ready for adoption.

Where no history is available the rescue service will take time to get to know the dog. A full medical screening will be carried out and any illness treated. Abandoned and ill treated dogs will often have medical conditions. Some conditions may be short term as a result of poor care but some may be more significant underlying ailments. Foster carers will support these dogs whilst they recover and will then work with potential adopters to find the best long term solution.

To discover how rewarding adopting a rescue Westie can be just visit any of the pages listed below to read heartwarming stories. The Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Battersea sites have lots of information about adoption and rehoming. Many Westies are adopted and rehomed every year.

Adopting a Rescue Westie

When you apply to adopt a Westie you will be asked to complete a detailed application form. You will usually have a home visit and will be asked to visit the dog before the adoption takes place. Whilst the questions may seem extensive the centres work hard to get the adoption right first time, no one wants a dog to be rehomed to an unsuitable environment.

When you adopt a Westie you are taking ownership of the dog and that includes all care and costs. Consider taking out insurance and registering with a local vet. To ensure a smooth transition check what food has been given and an idea of the daily routine.

If you have never owned a Westie before take time to learn about the breed. Westies are energetic, loving and loyal little dogs who thrive on affection. Offering an older Westie a forever home is likely to be extremely rewarding for you both!

Fostering – Could you help?

There are several Westie rescue and rehoming services in the UK each of which uses foster carers. Fostering is different from adopting. You are not usually expected to pay for care and treatment whilst dogs are in foster care. Dogs may be unwell, or have been ill treated, they may be nervous or aggressive and require additional support whilst they settle into family life. Fostering is not usually long term but can be extremely rewarding. If you would like to consider fostering details can be found on each of the Westie Rescue pages shown below.

Westie Rescue Organisations: 

Westie Rescue Scheme, Westie Rescue UK, Westies in Need, UK Westie Rehoming

National Rescue Services:

RSPCA, The Dogs Trust  and Blue Cross

There are also many regional and local dogs homes that care for rescued dogs.

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Agility is an exciting fast paced sport for dogs. The course is an obstacle circuit that dogs have to complete as quickly and accurately as possible. This canine sport is increasing in popularity undoubtedly due in part to the excellent coverage of the annual Crufts competition.

Unlike dog showing, agility is not breed specific. For competition dogs are usually divided into three groups based on size. The Westie competes in the small dog class. Agility competitions are often run under the Kennel Club banner so dogs must be registered on the Kennel Club Activity register. Dogs do not have to be breed registered.

Agility training and competition is based on a circuit of obstacles which the handler (owner) has to help the dog to navigate by voice command. To start training dogs have to be 12 months old and for a Kennel Club show they can’t compete until 18 months old. This is to ensure that the dog’s bones and joints are fully developed and strong enough to withstand the training and competition.

Agility is fast paced and athletic for both you and your Westie! Training takes patience and practice. To start join a club and attend training sessions. You can buy agility equipment for your garden but to replicate the competition environment club training would be better. Agility is a friendly pastime and a great way of meeting new friends.

The Agility Course

The course will have about twenty obstacles including jumps, tunnels (tubes), weaving poles, ramps, hoops and often a sea saw. If your Westie refuses an obstacle then a penalty is applied. The event scoring and placings is based on speed and accuracy. There are often two circuits – one with jumps and one without. Each class follows the same circuit but the jumps are adjusted to suit the size of the dogs in the group.

There is no doubt agility can be tremendous fun which may suit the Westies character. Dogs need to be strong and athletic and must work well with their owner. The Westies desire to please their owner will certainly help.

There are plenty of clubs scattered across the UK and events take place during the summer months. More information can be found of the Kennel Club website.

Flyball for Westies

If your Westie loves to run but is not so good at navigating obstacles you could consider Flyball. The sport originated in the USA but is now enjoyed throughout the world. Flyball relies on great teamwork. The format is a two team head to head relay rice with hurdles and a spring box. Each dog runs the length of the course (normally around 15 metres) clearing 4 hurdles on the way. At the spring box the ball is released for the dog to collect and run home. The next dog then repeats until all four dogs have finished the course. The fastest, most accurate team win. Competition formats vary but are often a ’round robin’ followed by elimination. The hurdles height is determined by the size of the smallest dog on the team.

For more information visit the British Flyball Association.

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There are plenty of options for finding a new Westie puppy, and many breeders that advertise across a range of different media, but which is best? Westie Life strongly recommends that you start by checking the Kennel Club Assured Breeders Register for reassurance.

Decide if you want a puppy as a pet or to show and that will help in your search. We would also recommend that you take a measured decision and plan for a puppy. You may need to make changes at home either in the house or the garden to puppy proof them ready for your new arrival.

How to avoid buying from a puppy farm?

Puppy farming is unethical mass breeding where dogs are often left in appalling conditions. Mass bred puppies are often sold in poor health with flea infestations and can often have enteritis or more concerning heredity ailments. Puppy farming is often presented professionally with the sellers appearing to comply with legal requirements.  Dogs will be microchipped and often have some paperwork but look out for the tell tale signs. Puppies are often sold from a donor home, away from the mother and there may be more than one breed on offer, don’t be fooled. Always ask to see the mother, even after the 8 weeks it would be very unusual for puppies to be separated from their mother before being sold. In order to tackle this appalling trade the government have introduced legislation governing the sale of puppies. If you see a dog advertised that is cheaper than the norm – beware!!

The RSPCA offer advice on how to avoid supporting the puppy farm trade. They have a list of tips on how to check telephone numbers, photographs and descriptions.

If you are offered a Westie puppy from a Kennel Club breeder you can check their credentials on the Kennel Club Register for reassurance.

Once you have decided on a puppy and found a litter you need to decide if you want a boy or girl, neither is better than the other so this is really down to personal preference. If you already have dogs and need to avoid unwanted pregnancies then picking the same sex could be a good solution.

Top Tips for checking a puppy:

Look for clear bright eyes with no discharge or redness. Ears should be clean with no smell. A dog’s nose is a clear indication of health, please check for a cold wet nose. Skin should be clean with no rashes, sports or sores. The puppies fur should be clean and soft. The puppy should be quite strong and able to stand with no limp.

Westie Puppies should be alert, active and friendly.

When you view the litter the breeder will usually allow you to handle the pups to make choosing easier. Good breeders will be happy to answer your questions and will welcome an opportunity to share advice. Expect the breeder to show you the puppies with their mother.  The breeder will also give you details on the dogs pedigree including details of parents and grandparents.

If you would like more information please visit the Kennel Club or RSPCA websites using the links below.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/

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The West Highland White Terrier, or ‘Westie’, owes its heritage to the Scottish terriers bred hundreds of years ago to hunt in the harsh Scottish highland terrain of Argyllshire. The name Terrier is derived from the Latin terra which means earth. Terriers are earth dogs, they were selectively bred to go underground to chase and hunt vermin.

The Westie as we see them today has a distinctive brilliant white harsh outer coat with a soft downy undercoat for warmth. It is this double coat that gives the Westie its trademark round white face. The Westie is a small/medium sized dog. Over the years careful breeding has led to the distinctive varieties of hardy terriers from Scotland.

The modern West Highland White Terrier is descended from a number of breeding programs of White Terriers in Scotland in the 19th Century. Credit is given to Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm, 16th Laird of Poltalloch for breeding a White Poltalloch Terrier by carefully selecting cream and white dogs from his Highland Terriers, at the time most resembling the Cairn. Colonel Malcolm like other lairds kept only the best working dogs for hunting irrespective of colour. It is claimed that an unfortunate hunting accident resulted in Colonel Malcolm inadvertently shooting one of his favourite dogs mistaking it for a fox. Determined to prevent this from happening again Colonel Malcolm kept only cream and white highland terriers, despite the regions superstitious belief that white dogs were inherently inferior to their darker counterparts. It is believed that the Westie we see today is a direct descendant of the Poltalloch dogs.

Other related breeds

Other related breeds include the white Roseneath Terrier, bred by George Campbell the 8th Duke of Argyle’s estate and the Pittenweem Terriers bred by Dr Americ Edwin Flaxman. The Pittenweem Terriers were white in colour but closely resembled the Scottie with a larger head.  The Roseneath Terriers although white had a soft coat and featured a longer head. All three breeds were entered at dog shows in the early nineteenth century with the Poltalloch Terriers being favoured. Colonel Malcolm is also credited with naming the breed the West Highland White Terrier.

The early Champions

By 1911 Mrs May Pacey had started breeding using the Wolvey prefix. The first of her Champions was Ch. Wolvey Piper. Mrs Pacey devoted her life to developing the breed, and a quarter of the West Highland White Champions in a twenty year period between 1920 and 1940 carried the Wolvey prefix. Mrs Pacey sent many puppies overseas to ensure the the breed survived during the war when both breeding and showing were restricted. The breed flourished post World War II with new breeders committed to producing champion offspring.

The first Westie to win supreme Champion at crufts was Ch. Dianthus Buttons in 1976 followed by Ch. Olac Moon Pilot in 1990. After a 16 year wait the next Westie to be crowned Supreme Champion was Burneze Geordie Girl (born 14 July 2014). Also known as Devon, this stunning little Westie took to the stage with tremendous confidence. The earliest record of West Highland Whites arriving in the United States of America is around 1906 but at that time they were often called the Roseneath terrier. By 1908 the breed was renamed the West Highland White Terrier and gained accreditation with the American Kennel Club in 1909. In 1942 one of the Wolvey Westies Ch Wolvey Pattern of Edgerstoune won the coveted best of show at Westminster.

Today the terriers of Scotland are represented by five distinct breeds, the West Highland White Terrier, Skye Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier and Cairn Terrier.

Westie Breed Standard

The breed standard is a detailed description of an ‘ideal dog’. The standard is compiled by the Kennel Club and should be considered as a guide to perfection.

Breeders use the standard along with a programme of controlled breeding to produce dogs which are as close to the standard as possible. The wording is often vague which allows for flexibility in interpretation. If you want to show and ultimately breed Westies then you need to learn as much as you can. Find out about breed lines and look at the Champion Dogs at each of the breed kennels. It is important to gain an understand of the standard and how judges interpret it.

If you intend to show your Westie they must not be spayed or neutered.

If you would like to read the full breed standard text along with guidelines visit the Kennel Club Website:

The Kennel Club Westie Breed Standard

More information on breed standard can be found here….

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