4 replies to this topic

[DemiSheep]

Need some help. My wife and I are looking into getting Attila a little sister. Well the breeders in our area don't have the color we want and puppy options are very limited. So we're starting to look at Westies.

Questions:

Are westies basically cairn terriers?

I know cairn terriers are good with kids, are westies the same way?

There are a lot more breeder options with westies.

I know they share the same ancestor.

Help! (No I am not asking for breeders)

[pkcrossley]

there are lots of interesting discussions in the threads.

cairns originated almost a century ago (maybe earlier, depending on what milestone you want) as white cairns. cairn breeders rejected white dogs, a farmer decided to breed only white cairns. over the course of a hundred years, westie and cairn gene pools have diverged in minor ways, but probably along the lines of genetic influence over temperament and coat texture.

i've lived with two westies. i think they are slightly sweeter than cairns, but basically they are cairns. as terriers, how they are raised is critical to who they become. if they are raised to be disciplined and accepting of changes and polite to strangers, they can be good with kids.

Edited by pkcrossley, 22 January 2012 - 05:58 AM.

[Tuesday]

My mother has a Westie. Bailey is a very sweet and very cute dog. She has totally fit into what my mother needs in a dog. Something white, she can dress up in pink collars and leashes and lie on her lap all day. Her spurts of terrier-craziness are not as much or as frequent as Murphy's. She is very good with kids and strangers.

[pindrop]

Having had a Westie prior to Layla, our little Molly was just the sweetest little thing. Her tail was constantly going and loved to meet new people. Not a bad bone in her whole body - never snapped once. I think they are very similar in personality and temperment but each pup has its own "personality."
Having said the above however, Westies have been known to suffer from skin problems (whether environmental or food). Keeping this in mind, a reputable breeder would be the best way to go. Either that or instead of a puppy, check into Westie Rescue and hopefully by adopting an adult dog, should it have had allergies, it would be apparent at an older age. I personally would have another one in a snap. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Hawkeye]

I also had a westie and a cairn at the same time and honestly you would think they were the same breed. The westie was a little more affectiate than our cairn at the time and every bit as crazy. Pindrop brings up a good point with the skin allergies. Mine never had a problem, but many do. I think adding a westie to your family would be a great addition. Please let us know what you decide.