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Weshi -- West Highland White Terrier X Shih Tzu

Weshi

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.
Origin
 Scotland <> Tibet -> U.S.A.
Translation
 Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Weshi
Weshi, also known as Westie Tzu, are a friendly breed of dog that results from mixing a West Highland White Terrier with a Shih Tzu. These breeds are quite common in the United States, where they are often mistaken for Westies due to the amount of prominent physical traits they share with their West Highland parents. While Weshi were bred for the express purpose of serving as designer companions, their Westie parents were bred to hunt vermin. Thus, many of these hybrids can learn to become skilled vermin hunters, just like their Westie ancestors, if given proper training and exercise. Outgoing and affectionate, Weshi make excellent companions, equally at home in the countryside or in a big, busy city.

History of the Weshi
Take the energy, fluffy coat and charisma of the West Highland White Terrier and combine it with the poise, sociability and windswept coat of the Shih Tzu and you get an adorable, outgoing Weshi that bounds and barks. Like most designer dogs, Weshis are relatively new breeds that were created for the express purpose of trying to glean the most desirable traits from two well-known parents in a single creature.

 

        

A little of the West Highland White Terrier

         
The West Highland White Terrier traces its roots back to the Scottish Highlands of the 17th century. It's thought that the West Highland Terrier, or Westie for short, was bred to hunt vermin and help track down and capture foxes, otters and badgers. All these factors contribute to the more energetic, active aspects of this hybrid's character, as the Westie can also be taught to hunt small rats and similar animals if properly trained. These traits also form an interesting dichotomy between the more regal and mythical background of the Shih Tzu parent.
Standard of the West Highland White Terrier

 

        

A little of the Shih Tzu
Many of the details of the Shih Tzu's origins are steeped in mysticism and mystery, but what else can you expect when it comes to one of the oldest surviving breeds of dog? Shih Tzus were favorites of the Chinese imperial court during the Tang dynasty and, as such, are often considered royalty of the canine kingdom. All Shih Tzus currently alive can also trace their origins to the same group of 14 dogs that saved their breed from extinction, making Shih Tzus royal dogs and dogs of fortune. Weshi combine many traits from their parents and can be best understood by learning as much as possible about Westies and Shih Tzus.
Standard of the Shih Tzu

Appearance of the Weshi
Weshi are short, sturdy animals with pronounced, muscular limbs and a compact, small frame. Weshi don't have as much hair as their Shih Tzu relatives, so they look more like their West Highland White Terrier parents from a general point of view. However, Weshi are distinguished from Westies by their coat color; while West Highland White Terriers come in a single eponymous rainbow color, Weshi can have a black, white, brown, fawn or mixed coat that immediately distinguishes them from their Westie parent. The compact, lightweight structure of this hybrid gives it solid agility and intelligence, enabling these dogs to be surprisingly agile in their runs.

Temperament of the Weshi
The Weshi is a lively, outgoing and friendly dog that gets on well with others once properly socialized. Following in the footsteps of their West Highland White Terrier parents, Weshis can become aggressive and confrontational when in proximity to dogs of the same sex, but are otherwise friendly dogs who enjoy playing and mingling with others. Weshi can be very receptive to training, as they are highly intelligent dogs by nature, but they don't respond particularly well to harsh or intense training methods, far from it. Weshi, like Westies, will need time and patience in terms of training, so you'll need to demonstrate a sufficiently calm and patient demeanor to successfully breed these hybrids. These versatile canines can learn to behave well with children and toddlers, but adult supervision is always recommended to avoid any unwanted bites or fights from either. Overall, these hybrids possess exactly the temperament that a dog of their pedigree should have; kindness, charisma and sociability are the hallmarks of the Weshi.

Needs and activities of the Weshi
Although the Weshi inherited its more muscular frame from its West Highland White Terrier parents, it doesn't really need excessively intense physical activity. A good 30-minute walk a day will cover the Weshi's daily physical activity needs and keep him fit and healthy as long as he's able to get the necessary amount of exercise on a regular and consistent basis. Weshi's relatively low need for physical activity is one of the factors that enable it to adapt to a variety of environments, but it does need a certain amount of time and space to exercise.

Maintenance of the Weshi
Weshi require regular weekly grooming sessions to keep their coats healthy and clean. As Weshi can have a medium-length or even longer coat, closer to that of their Shih Tzu parents, future owners should be prepared to deal with a dog that sheds moderately. Weshi can also be excellent companions for those with dog allergies, as this hybrid can be hypoallergenic and is highly unlikely to trigger any allergic reactions in its owner. Weshi are not considered excessive droolers either, and their coat will not retain that famous doggy smell if the Weshi in question is properly cared for.
Details
Written by: Francis Vandersteen
Also available: Français (France) Deutsch (Deutschland) Español (España) Nederlands (nl-NL)
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