Westiepoo
Temperament:
The Westiepoo is a charming little dog with a big personality. It is a mix of West Highland White Terrier and Poodle, which are known for their intelligence, friendliness and adaptability. The Westiepoo is an affectionate family dog that is suitable for people of all ages and is a loyal companion to its owner.
Characteristics
The Westiepoo is a lovable dog that is known for its friendly, affectionate and outgoing nature. It is a true family dog that enjoys spending time with its people and gets on well with children and other pets. His affectionate nature and need for human closeness make him an ideal companion for singles, couples and families.
A characteristic feature of the Westiepoos is its soft, curly or wavy coat, which can come in various colors such as white, black, grey, brown, cream or apricot. Its hypoallergenic coat sheds very little, which makes it particularly suitable for allergy sufferers.
The size of the Westiepoos varies between 28 and 43 cm and its weight between 9 and 14 kg. This compact size makes it the ideal companion for city apartments or houses with limited space.
The Westiepoo is an intelligent dog that learns quickly and is easy to train. He likes to learn new things and wants to please his owner. His intelligence and trainability make him a good candidate for dog sports such as agility, obedience and flyball. As he is an active dog, he should be regularly challenged mentally and physically in order to lead a happy and balanced life.
In character, the Westiepoo is an alert, watchful dog that is aware of its surroundings. Although he is not aggressive, he can be a good watchdog when necessary, alerting his family to potential danger. He is social and friendly towards strangers, but also loyal and protective towards his loved ones.
The Westiepoo is an adaptable dog that feels at home in both rural and urban environments. He can live in an apartment as long as he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. His medium energy level requires daily walks and playtime to keep him happy and healthy.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
The Westiepoo needs regular grooming to look healthy and well-groomed. Its coat should be brushed at least two to three times a week to avoid knots and tangles. A brush that penetrates well into the curly or wavy coat should be used. The coat can be trimmed occasionally to keep it in shape and to control hair growth in the eyes and on the paws.
The ears of the Westiepoos should be checked weekly and carefully cleaned if necessary to prevent infections. The claws should be trimmed regularly to prevent them from becoming ingrown. Dental care is also important: it is best to brush your Westiepoo's teeth two to three times a week to prevent tartar and gingivitis.
After every walk, you should check the paw pads for foreign objects and the whole body for uninvited guests such as ticks and remove them.
Suitable accessories
There are some important things you need for your Westiepoo to make his everyday life pleasant and comfortable. A comfortable dog bed is essential so that your Westiepoo can rest and sleep restfully after an eventful day. Make sure that the bed is big enough and fits his build.
You will need a suitable lead and harness for walks and outings. Choose a harness that fits well and distributes the pressure evenly so that you can walk your Westiepoo safely and comfortably.
A special brush for curly or wavy coats is important to groom your Westiepoo's coat and prevent matting.
As the Westiepoo is a playful and active dog, it is important to provide him with a selection of toys. Toys help to keep his body and mind active and healthy. Buy a variety of toys such as chew toys, balls and interactive toys to keep him mentally and physically challenged.
He also needs tick tweezers, claw clippers, a mild dog shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, a transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It's best to ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.
As the Westiepoo is a small dog, it can benefit from a warm coat in winter to protect it from the cold. Make sure that the coat fits well and does not restrict freedom of movement.
Origin & History
The history of the Westiepoos began in the 1970s in the USA. Back then, breeders were looking for a way to breed a small, intelligent and family-friendly dog that combined the best characteristics of the two parent breeds West Highland White Terrier and Poodle.
The West Highland White Terrier, affectionately known as the Westie, originally comes from Scotland. There it was bred as a hunting dog and used primarily for fox hunting. Despite its small size, the Westie is characterized by alertness, endurance and independence.
The Poodle, on the other hand, originates from Germany and France and was bred as a versatile water dog. This breed is known for its intelligence, elegance and adaptability. Over the course of time, poodles have been used in a wide variety of areas, e.g. as hunting dogs, water dogs, show dogs and circus dogs.
These two breeds were crossed to create the Westie, which is characterized by its medium size, the curly or wavy coat of the Poodle and the alertness and intelligence of the Westie. Due to its low hair loss, the Westiepoo is also suitable for allergy sufferers.
Although the Westiepoo originated in the USA, it has since gained popularity worldwide, especially among families and dog lovers looking for a small, affectionate and easy-care companion.
The Westiepoo is not recognized by the FCI, but its popularity and the growing interest in designer dog breeds have made it a recognized mixed breed in many countries.
In recent decades, the Westiepoo has established itself as a loyal, playful and intelligent family dog. Its adaptability, attractive appearance and pleasant nature make it a popular companion in many households.
