Considered to be generally healthy dogs, at West Kootenay Kennels and Cattery, we take special care and responsibility to screen our dogs and take stock of their health conditions.

A Westie’s teeth should often be brushed using specially dog-formulated toothpaste. The National Breed Club recommends patella, hip, and eye evaluations as health tests for Westie puppies.

To ensure a great quality of life, all of our Westie puppies for sale are given appropriate vaccinations and the first preventative deworming treatment. Our veterinarian documents all of this in a health record book, which the adopters will receive when they pick up their puppy.

We also require all adopters to sign a contract saying that they will provide any and all remaining vaccinations and deworming treatments appropriate. They also have to agree to annual health exams and routine vaccinations given by licensed veterinarians.

To ensure your Westie’s coat always looks pristine, you have to do regular grooming by stripping the old, dead hair. Many pet owners also opt to have their dogs’ coats clipped for neatness and brush and comb daily.

However, as Westies have hard coats, bathing them too often isn’t advised. Instead, take your pet to a professional groomer every 4–6 weeks to maintain their coat health and shine.

Westies love to romp, play, walk, and run, making them a perfect addition to any home. However, since it’s in their nature to run after things and people, they typically do best in fenced areas and when they’re on a leash.

With their remarkable intelligence, boundless energy, and determined spirit, Westies thrive in a wide range of canine sports and activities. They are particularly adept at obedience training, where their eagerness to please shines through.

A Westie’s terrier independence can make training challenging, but their keen intelligence means they respond well to patient and consistent lessons that are kept upbeat and engaging.

West Highland White Terriers thrive on high-quality dog food, both commercially manufactured or home-prepared under your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. The diet should be appropriate for the dog’s age, whether they are a puppy, adult, or senior. 

Since some terrier puppies are prone to becoming overweight, it’s important to monitor their calorie intake and maintain a healthy weight.