West Highland Doxie -- West Highland White Terrier X Dachshund

		West Highland Doxie
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Scotland <> Germany -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the West Highland Doxie

The hybrid breed, the West Highland Doxie, is a mix of West Highland White Terrier and Dachshund. The West Highland White Terrier originated in Scotland and was used to hunt small prey such as foxes, badgers and rodents. It's a small breed, no taller than 28 centimeters, but it's also very attractive and extremely intelligent. They can be obedient and have excellent tracking instincts, but must be trained from an early age. The Dachshund originated in Germany and is very energetic. This breed was also used for hunting and, although small in size, has a long body. As a hybrid, the West Highland Doxie inherits characteristics from both breeds, as they are very different in appearance. The parent breeds do share some common characteristics, so if you're considering owning a hybrid West Highland Doxie, you should certainly take these commonalities into account. Both parent breeds can be difficult to train. Indeed, they are highly intelligent and can develop a stubborn streak. They're feisty dogs, and can sometimes be aggressive towards other dogs. So it's important to socialize them from an early age to instill a positive temperament. It's important to watch this breed when it comes into contact with other dogs, but also with young children. Although both breeds are good with children, they are better with older children and, as they are both small, they can be injured by children, which again can influence their temperament. Both generally respond well to training, but perseverance is important. Agility training is ideal and, as an intelligent breed, they will enjoy learning new tricks, as it's important to keep them physically and mentally active to avoid boredom. The West Highland Doxie is an adorable breed and is sure to make a loyal companion, who will appreciate moments of complicity and affection from his master.

History of the West Highland Doxie

The parent breeds used to produce the West Highland Doxie hybrid are small breeds of dog, both originating from European countries. Although the West Highland Doxie is generally purchased with the intention of being a domestic pet, it will certainly have inherited good tracking skills and will also be good at hunting. The American Kennel Club states that the related breeds are very active and inquisitive. It also states that, as intelligent breeds, they can get bored easily and need mental and physical stimulation. Although the American Kennel Club does not recognize the West Highland Doxie because it is a hybrid, this designer breed is recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry. Although it's not clear why the two breeds were mixed, you can have the best of both worlds with this hybrid as you inherit the small prey hunting skills with the West Highland White Terrier breed, and also the small game hunting skills with the Dachshund breed. The West Highland Doxie will also make an excellent companion or pet, provided it is trained and socialized from an early age.

	A little of the West Highland White Terrier
	The West Highland White Terrier originated in Scotland and was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908. Its ancestry is thought to come from a range of Terriers, including Scottish Terriers, Skye, Dandie Dinmont and Cairn. Although adorable, he possesses the sturdiness and hunting instinct of the Terrier, as he was often used to hunt small prey such as badgers and foxes.

	Standard of the West Highland White Terrier


	A little of the Dachshund
	The Dachshund, the other parent breed that makes up the West Highland Doxie, was also a hunting dog, often used to hunt small game. The Dachshund is recognized by the American Kennel Club as part of the hound group, but its ancestors include not only the French Basset Hound, but also the Terrier, Spaniel and Pinscher breeds.

	Standard of the Dachshund

Appearance of the West Highland Doxie

The Dachshund is available in many different colors, while the West Highland White Terrier is generally white, as its name suggests. Obviously, as a hybrid breed, the West Highland Doxie can appear in a combination of colors, depending on the color of its parent breed, and also the colors it mainly inherits. The West Highland White Terrier has a slightly longer, denser coat than the Dachshund, but there's not much difference, so it's likely that the West Highland Doxie's coat will be of medium length, normal density and straight texture. This hybrid will be small, as the maximum height of a West Highland White Terrier is 28 centimeters, and that of the Dachshund is usually no more than 23 centimeters. The Dachshund has smaller legs than the West Highland White Terrier, but both breeds are known for their strong legs. The West Highland White Terrier has a round head, almond-shaped eyes and small, well-spaced ears. The Dachshund, on the other hand, has an arched skull that tapers to the tip of the nose. Its ears are set on the side of the head and are of medium size, falling to the side of the head. The West Highland Doxie's eyes are likely to be brown, blue or hazel, and the color of the nose may be black, brown or isabella. These color variations depend on the Dachshund's parent breed. Dachshunds also have tight lips and a broad jaw, with strong teeth that form a scissor bite. While the West Highland White Terrier is taller than the Dachshund, the Dachshund is much longer. As a hybrid, the West Highland Doxie can inherit a range of characteristics from each breed, so the appearance of a West Highland Doxie can vary from breed to breed. The American Kennel Club says that the West Highland White Terrier has a piercing expression, while the Dachshund has a pleasing, but not piercing, expression, which again depends on the characteristics adopted by each West Highland Doxie.

Temperament of the West Highland Doxie

Although the West Highland Doxie is a hybrid, the Dachshund and the West Highland White Terrier share very similar temperament characteristics. Although both are reputed to be friendly, loyal companions who respond well to training, they are strongly advised to be socialized with other dogs and to watch out for any contact with other dogs or young children. Both the West Highland White Terrier and the Dachshund can be stubborn and aggressive at times, and as an intelligent breed, it's essential to ensure that the West Highland Doxie doesn't get bored if you want to avoid negative, destructive behavior. Both parents need to be mentally stimulated, but training sessions must also be fun to keep them interested and engaged. Both breeds have strong personalities, and often a dog with a strong personality may try to take matters into his own hands, and this is where training, through positive reinforcement, is essential at a young age, when temperament is still developing. The West Highland Doxie will love your attention, and some sources claim that it is extremely affectionate and sociable, although this hybrid often likes to bark at anything and everything, including strangers, but not necessarily aggressively.

Needs and activities of the West Highland Doxie

Both parent breeds, the West Highland White Terrier and the Dachshund, are energetic and require moderate exercise of around 30 minutes a day. Both breeds are known to have high energy levels and like to be stimulated both physically and mentally. You should therefore allow extra time for your hybrid to play or train every day. The West Highland Doxie will thrive in a warm climate, as neither too hot nor too cold will suit this breed, and measures must be taken to protect your dog from both. It can easily adapt to an apartment or a house with a yard; in fact, both parent breeds like to dig, so a garden area would probably entertain your dog very well.

Maintenance of the West Highland Doxie

The West Highland Doxie will need regular maintenance, especially if it inherits a coat similar to that of the West Highland White Terrier. This breed needs regular grooming and may require trimming around the feet, eyes and ears occasionally. Shedding is occasional and seasonal, but you should keep your West Highland Doxie clean by wiping its coat and brushing it, but be as gentle with it as possible. You should also check the ears once a week for any abnormalities. This hybrid will need daily walks, but also daily playtime to keep his mind stimulated. Learning new tricks, flyball, agility and earth dog games are ideal. We recommend clipping nails if you hear them clacking on the floor, and brushing teeth daily, or at least 3-4 times a week. Both parent breeds are prone to injury and disease. So make sure your dog is regularly checked to keep him as healthy as possible. As it's a small breed, it's best to exercise it by walking it twice a day, and it's also advisable to feed it twice a day, dividing its daily ration in half. The Dachshund is sometimes difficult to train, and the West Highland White Terrier can easily snap and lose confidence. So it's best to use positive techniques and reward good behavior. So it's best to use positive techniques and reward good behavior. Your West Highland Doxie will love attention, so show him lots of love and affection.