West Highland Terriers - Dog Breeds

West Highland Terriers or "Westies" originated in the West Highlands of Scotland. These terriers were originally bred to go after small game. It is said that their breeding came about after another terrier was mistakenly shot Another breeder had a few white pups in the litter and bred those exclusively to become the West Highland White terriers of today. A Westie is very friendly and has a jaunt about his step. This breed is very hardy and needs a walk every day for exercise. Westies have a better temperament than most terriers and will not snap as much. They are recognized by the AKC and other top breeding programs as a legitimate breed.

Westies are fun loving, and fun to be with. They need a small yard to be happy. They are also good companions to be with, and all the love that you could ask for. However, the life can go right out of them if you mistreat these precious dogs. They are good companions for those that have families and well behaved children. They are a bit high strung, but are well worth it to have as friends and companions. The heart of a warrior lies within their chests.

For hunting of small game, these terriers really cannot be beat. These hunters keep at it until they have found their prey. Their determination is one of their inborn traits as a small game hunter. They are fantastic to work with and a joy on the hunting field. These terriers have a natural ability to hunt and also to play. Their good nature is what truly endears them to dog lovers. For Westie owners, they really would not have it any other way. These dogs are also champions on the field of competition and have the AKC stamp of approval. You can see a representative at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. You can also see these at any AKC competition.

These adorable Westies have won Best of Show, Best of Breed, and even won several AKC events. Breeders have entered these dogs into all sorts of shows. They have won major competitions in any show that they have been entered into. They are champions of field, of breed and lovable companions to any and all who take them into their homes. If you want a loyal dog breed this is the only one to have.

For more information on West Highland Terriers or Dog Breeds take a look at this Dog Training website.

All About Wheaten Terriers

Few things give us as much pleasure as owning a dog. Dogs make wonderful companions and it is no wonder they have become known as "man's best friend". A dog will always greet you with joy and happiness unlike people who can be grumpy or unpleasant at times. Dog owners always speak about their pet's "unconditional love" and this is a fact because a dog will always be devoted to his owner, even if that owner is not the most pleasant of people!

Dogs have become so popular as pets that many people don't realize the time and energy it can take to properly take care of them, and some people buy a dog at the spur of a moment without giving much thought to whether they can care for him or not. This results in thousands of dog being abandoned. If you're considering buying or adopting a dog you should know that not all dogs are the same, some breeds are more high maintenance than others and you should choose a breed that suits your lifestyle. Wheaten terriers are high maintenance dogs for a few reasons that we shall go into in this article.
Wheaten terriers are a breed of dog that originated in Ireland. They were originally bred as an all purpose farm dog whose duties varied from watching, guarding and herding livestock to hunting vermin. While most terriers can sometimes be aggressive, this is not so with the Wheaten terrier. They are mellower than other terriers.

Wheaten terriers are famous for their coat which is very soft and comprises of hair, not fur. The Wheaten terrier is a popular dog with allergic dog owners due to the fact that they have a single coat of hair and shed very little making them relatively hypoallergenic. There are four coat types: American, English, Heavy Irish and Traditional Irish.

Wheaten terriers are medium sized dogs that don't shed; their hair keeps growing and so requires regular grooming and trimming, making them a high maintenance dog to keep. Whether or not you keep your dog indoors or out, he will need to be brushed regularly if you are to avoid his coat from becoming matted or tangled. These dogs also require more frequent bathing than most other dogs because of their soft coat.
Like all terriers, the Wheaten terrier is an active, playful breed that needs exercise if it is to thrive. They respond well to positive training and harsh or aggressive treatment may result in a dog that fear bites. They are highly intelligent dogs that require a substantial amount of attention. If you don't have the time to give to your dog, this may not be the breed for you.

Wheaten terriers make great family pets, often being very good with children and other pets. Early training ensures your dog is well adjusted to a home environment and they can be very protective of their human pack" without being overly aggressive.

Wheaten terriers are generally a hardy breed though they are prone to a condition known as protein-losing nephropathy (PLN). This condition results in protein loss from the kidneys and can be fatal. Inflammatory bowel disease, renal dysplasia, Addison's disease and cancer are other health issues Wheaten terriers may develop.

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The Terriers in the Working Group

Dog shows have so many groupings, that it can be difficult to keep all of the dogs straight...

Contrary to popular belief, not all of the terriers are in the "Terrier Group". There are 27 breeds in the Terrier Group itself, according to the AKC.

Some are in the Toy Group (Australian Silky, English Toy or Black & Tan, Maltese, Manchester, Yorkshire, Toy Fox, sometimes Tibetan or Boston depending upon the kennel club), and some in the Non-Sporting Group (Boston, Tibetan depending on the kennel club).

There are 4 terriers in the Working Group.

Terriers in the Working Group:

1. Black Russian Terrier

2. Giant Schnauzer

3. Standard Schnauzer

4. Miniature Schnauzer (depending on the kennel club)

The fact that they are in the Working Group simply means that they are purebred dogs that were specifically bred to help assist humans with different types of work.

These types of Work may include:

• Eradicating vermin


• Pulling sleds


• Water rescues


• Guarding property

What talented terriers! It is said that these "Working" dogs are quick to learn, very capable, and very intelligent, making them fabulous companions as well.

From what I've seen, terriers are very eager to please and are extremely hard workers, if trained to do so. They focus on their task well, whether it be chasing a squirrel, trying to get their favorite kibble out of the bottom of the bowl, or practicing and competing in earth dog competitions.

Since many of the working dogs have such sheer size and strength, they need to be properly trained, and it is said that they are often not great "family" dogs.

It is in my opinion that these dogs are great family dogs, provided they are properly trained.

by Kimberly Edwards

Kimberly Edwards is the founder of Terrier Lover - Awesome Information and History on the Terrier Breed, Health, Dog Grooming, Dog Breeding, Tips & Tricks, Dog Training, Stories and More. Learn all you need to know about the Terrier dog @ http://www.TerrierLover.com

Border Terriers

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The Border Terrier is a very fascinating little dog. They certainly are typical terriers, but are very unique at the same time.

Weight:

It should weigh from 12-15 lbs.

Build:

This terrier's head is broad in skull and short in fore-face, resembling the otter (one of his most hated foes).

The skin is very distinctive in that it is loose-fitting and extremely thick. The hide of a Border can be grasped and pulled away from his body without making the dog uncomfortable. This tough, but loose-fitting hide helps him in his work and protects him from bites and adversaries.

Different colors of the Border Terrier include blue and tan, grizzle and tan, or just red.

Personality:

The Border Terrier is fully able to take care of himself under any circumstance and are proven to be very tough. It is very earnest in expression, but at the same time a very loving and delightful dog.

Border Terriers are extremely good companions and love to perform. They are excellent for herding cattle and sheep.

The Border is exceptional when on certain hunts, such as for bear and wolf.

Often, when they hear certain music, they are known to like to sing.

Heritage:

The Border Terrier hails from the North of England, but you can find them in Cumberland, Northumberland and West Moreland as well. Most breeds commmon to the North of England are so closely related that it is difficult to say which descended from which...

...The Border Terrier may well be the product of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Bedlington Terrier, yet it might have been the ancestor of one of these breeds.

It appears that the breed was known at the end of the 17th Century as a sporting dog. It has been known by it's present name for over 1 Century.

What a great little companion - the Border Terrier!

Love Your Terrier!

Kimberly Edwards is the founder of Terrier Lover - Awesome Information and History on the Terrier Breed, Health, Dog Grooming, Dog Breeding, Tips & Tricks, Dog Training, Stories and More. Learn all you need to know about the Terrier dog @ http://www.TerrierLover.com.

WKC 2010 Bedlington terriers

Breed judging for Bedlington terriers at Westminster Kennel Club dog show (2010)

Silky Terrier - Are Silky Terriers Good Dogs to Own?

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In my humble opinion, Silky Terriers are the best dogs to have as a pet. This does not mean that the Silky is a good fit for every person or family.

Knowing what your expectations are for a pet is very important. Below are three character traits of the Silky Terrier. So, you'll be able to determine if the Silky is right for you.

1. Small Dog, Big Attitude

This breed of dog comes in a small package, but has a big attitude. Standard size of a Silky is 8 to 10 pounds and 9 to 10 inches high. But do not let their size fool you. They definitely think they are a big dog and have big dog traits. They are courageous and great watch dogs.

But be careful, if given run of the house they will take it. You have to let them know who is "alpha dog" in your house - consistently. Even though these dogs are relatively small, they are very dominant and need a family that is going to have the time and energy to teach them good behavior.

Because of their size they are able to live in an apartment or in the country comfortably. But they do require daily activities or walks...otherwise they will get fat and lazy.

2. Loyalty & Devotion To Family

They are very loyal to their family and will do almost anything to please them. Normally they will pick a family member and become their shadow. Following their every move. This is not to say they do not love the entire family. But it is very heart warming to get up and go into another room to find your Silky Terrier right trailing behind you.

3. Social Butterflies

Silky Terriers are playful and inquisitive by nature. They love to run and play. Watching them with other Silkys or one of their toys is quite a treat. Some of them will shake the toy all around and really get into making it squeak.

They also love to socialize with other people and pets. Taking them to the store or "bye-bye" is a great way to do this.

Find out more information on Silky Terrier grooming, behavior and other tips regarding this feisty breed of dog at http://www.silky-terrier.dog.com

About The Author

April Osburn has been raised around Silky Terriers her entire life. She has two that are her constant companions, Gypsy and Samantha. She would like to share what she knows of this wonderful small breed of dog with anyone that would like to know more about them.