West Highland White Terriers are commonly known as Westies. The breed originated in Scotland and was used to hunt foxes and badgers. With a distinctive white coat, the breed averages 9 to 11 inches tall and 13 to 20 pounds. They have a very strong bone structure for their size with a large skull and teeth.
They also have:
- muscular limbs
- a deep chest
- a large black nose
- a closely fitted jaw with a scissor bite
With a dense, soft, thick undercoat and a rough outer coat, they require regular grooming. However, they are a non-shedding breed.
Westies are a friendly, easy to train dog that loves to interact with people. They are a high-energy dog that can develop destructive habits, such as chewing, digging and barking, if they do not get enough physical and mental exercise.
A Dog’s Nutritional Requirements
About 1 and 3/8 to 2 cups of high-quality dog food, divided into two feedings, should sufficiently provide the proper nutrition for most dogs. It is important not to overfeed since that can result in an overweight dog.
Obviously, the amount of dog food required depends upon an individual dog's:
- metabolism rate
- age
- size
- build
- activity level
However, using a high-quality dog food will ensure that the proper nutrition requirements are met. This will mean less quantity of food is needed and less waste will be produced.
Leaving food out for a dog to eat all day long can result in an overweight dog. You should be able to see a waist or by using your hands feel but not see his ribs. Gather leftover food not eaten after 20 minutes for use at a later feeding. Always feed your dog at the same time every day in his own bowl so that there is a pattern. He will then learn that he must eat at feeding time only and by using his own dog food bowl, thereby minimizing “begging” at the table.
Read the Dog Food Labels
In order to ensure that the required nutrients are being fed to your dog, it is important to read and understand dog food labels. In descending order, ingredients are listed according to the amount included in the dog food. A generic listing of “meat” does not necessarily mean actual meat, such as lamb, turkey, chicken, beef and fish, which should be listed first in the list of ingredients. Meat by-products have no nutritional value to them, but are parts of an animal that most people do not eat, such as feet and beaks.
Next, high-quality dairy products, such as eggs, should be listed. Corn and cereal are grains that dog food manufacturers use as fillers and so should be listed near the end of the list of ingredients. Labels of natural or premium have no clear-cut definitions and so should not bear any weight.
Are Vitamins and Supplements Necessary?
Vitamins and supplements are not necessary as long as you are feeding your dog a well balance, high-quality dog food, unless your veterinarian has prescribed them due to a certain nutritional or medical need of your dog. A veterinarian can advise as to the type and brand of quality vitamin and supplements available on the market.