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Westiepoo |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> France -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Westiedoodle
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A brief presentation of the Westiepoo |
| Small, adorable and too cute for words, the Westiepoo is one of the original specific crossbreed dogs and is now a popular pet choice. Blending the courageous West Highland White Terrier with the obedient, intelligent Poodle has produced a little dog full of personality. As separation anxiety can become a problem for some, potential owners need to make sure they have enough time to spend with this dependent dog. While Westies are renowned for their pure white coat, mixing them with the Poodle has resulted in offspring that can have cream, brown or even black fur. Rarely measuring more than 40 cm, these dogs are rather small and can thrive in apartments and small houses. |
History of the Westiepoo |
| The Westiepoo, also known as the Westiedoodle or Wee-Poo, is one of the original dogs conceived in the 1970s. It is a gentle companion combining the West Highland White Terrier and the Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle. Although precise records are lacking, most agree that the first cross-breeding probably took place in the USA. Although we only have a few years' historical information on the Westiepoo, we do know a lot about their popular relatives. |
A little of the West Highland White Terrier |
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| The West Highland White Terrier, like many other Terriers of Scottish origin, dates back to the 17th century, but most of its history and what is widely known today comes from improvements made in the late 19th century by Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm, who deliberately bred the dogs pure white to prevent them being mistaken for foxes on fox hunts, one of the reasons they were bred in the first place. Despite their size, they were bred to be brave, robust little dogs, capable of helping to hunt aggressive prey such as badgers and foxes, hence their propensity to be trained to dig and bark. Around the turn of the 20th century, when they were introduced to America, they gained great popularity and also became companion dogs with exceptional hunting, tracking and agility skills. | ||
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| Standard of the West Highland White Terrier | ||
A little of the Poodle |
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| The Poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds, originating in Germany but perfected in France. There are three types: Standard, Miniature and Toy. The Toy is the smallest, weighing just 4.5 kilos, the Miniature can reach around 7 kilos and the Standard Poodle weighs between 20.5 and 29.5 kilos. They were bred as hunting dogs and are thought to be related to German, Portuguese, French, Hungarian and Russian Water Dogs, as well as the North African Barbet. Other experts believe the Poodle is a descendant of the Asian herding dog that traveled with the German Gothic and Ostrogoth tribes. Another group claims that the breed was found on Roman artifacts from first-century Egyptian tombs. Small sizes were introduced in the 15th century by mating smaller Poodles to impress middle-class Parisians. They were typically used for hunting ducks and truffles, and also made wonderful family pets. The American Kennel Club registered the breed in 1887 and it is the 7th most popular breed in America. | ||
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| Standard of the Poodle |
Appearance of the Westiepoo |
| A compact dog with a rectangular body and proportionate head, the Westiepoo is a very small dog that tends to reach heights ranging from 33 to 43 cm. At maturity, they generally weigh between 9 and 13 kg. Of course, those bred from a Toy Poodle will be smaller than those bred from a Miniature Poodle. The Westiepoo's dark eyes are rounded, giving them an alert, pleasing expression. Their ears are rarely straight like those of the Westie, and most dogs of the breed will have ears that flop down and hang on the side of their face. Their dark nose complements their eyes and is relatively large, sitting at the end of their straight muzzle. The Westiepoo's coat is of medium length and generally very wavy. Although many dogs wear a white coat, it's also possible for their fur to be cream, fawn, apricot or black. |
Temperament of the Westiepoo |
| A delightful family pet, the Westiepoo is loving and affectionate, a dog that will devote itself to its owners. They love to be the center of attention and will never say no to a belly rub or chin scratch. While love for their family is certainly an endearing characteristic, it's not uncommon for the Westiepoo to become more attached to people. In some cases, they can develop separation anxiety, particularly in a household where they're left alone for long periods. They are best suited to a home where someone is present most of the time, and should be trained from an early age to have a safe place to stay when they are alone. Although almost never aggressive or hostile, the Westiepoo is wary of newcomers to its territory and can take some time to warm up. They often bark for several minutes whenever a new person arrives. This makes them a good watchdog. Although happy in the company of other dogs, many will always have a strong enthusiasm for prey and so simply cannot trust smaller animals. To increase a Westiepoo puppy's chances of bonding with pre-existing pets, you need to socialize them as early as possible. |
Needs and activities of the Westiepoo |
| Westiepoos are an active breed and can become destructive if left alone for too long. So it's essential to make sure they get plenty of exercise. They do best with a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes of activity a day, or more when they're young. If they've been well socialized since puppyhood, they'll be happy to play with other dogs and run around like crazy when they have a secure, fenced-in area to let off steam. Because Westiepoos are highly intelligent, a trait inherited from both parent breeds, they also need mental stimulation. These dogs do fantastic obedience and agility trials, and love to play games with their humans. As long as they get enough exercise, these dogs can live in any environment, although they are best suited to a home with a yard in which they run around. They adapt easily to any climate, but if you keep their hair short, be sure to buy them a sweater for cold environments. |
Maintenance of the Westiepoo |
| Westiepoos are unlikely to shed much, if at all. The Poodle is a non-shedding breed, while the Westie sheds only slightly. That said, it's important to brush your Westiepoo's coat regularly, as it's prone to shedding, especially around the eyes and ears. These areas may need trimming if the hair becomes too dirty and matted. Keeping your Westiepoo's hair short will make maintenance easier. As the long hair around their ears can trap dirt and moisture, it's important to check your Westiepoo's ears weekly for any signs of irritation or inflammation. It's good practice to brush your dog's teeth once a week, although daily is ideal. Trim your Westiepoo's nails about once a month, if you hear them clicking as you walk. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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