Westiepoo

The long-haired, medium sized Westiepoo is a cross between the West Highland White Terrier and the Toy Poodle. These playful little designer dogs have a rounded face with two round button-like eyes and a black nose. Their clever facial expression adds to the aura of their ‘cute’ face. They have short, stocky legs and a compact, but stoutly-built body covered by a tousled fur that has given them the typical look of a terrier.

Westiepoo Pictures

Temperament and Behavior

Wee-poos have many virtues that make them suitable for apartment life. They love to stay around people and are caring towards their family members, making a great companion and watch dog.

Having a loyal and affectionate nature, Westiepoos are good with other pets as well as kids, espeically older kids as they are more considerate. However, they are shy with strangers and would at times bark at them (and even at strange noises), but are not the aggressive kind that would end up biting.

This agile dog is curious and would often try to investigate their surroundings, even getting into things they usually should not. They are intelligent, also able to understand the boredom of separation, which they would display by yapping noisily when left alone.

Care

• Exercise

• Grooming

• Health Problems

Westiepoos need daily walks and outdoor playtime to stay happy. Being an excellent jogging companion, you might want to take them out for a leashed jogging session in the morning. Their robust indoor activities all day also play a big part in meeting with their daily exercise needs. They love some off-leash playtime as well, but make sure to keep them within an enclosed yard.

Although covered entirely with curly hair from head to toes, this dog needs minimal grooming and care. Give them a thorough brushing at least twice a week, with a stiff-bristle or pin brush for keeping the dead hairs away. (Note that their coat is characteristically disheveled, even after they are freshly bathed or brushed.) However, clipping their coat would reduce the frequent need for grooming.

A wet bath is recommended only when they are untidy, making sure to use a mild shampoo. Dry shampooing also works between full wet baths.

Because of their diverse genetic makeup, hybrid dogs are less prone to doggie diseases, and so are the Westiepoos. But like any other breed, some individuals might be susceptible to certain inherited conditions. Common health issues associated with them are chronic skin problems, epilepsy, liver diseases, and PRA (progressive retinal atrophy).

Training

Your wee poo puppy has an inborn instinct to make you happy, making it a fast learner. Begin socialization, obedience and pack-leader training at a very young age. Get it acquainted with grooming and leash as well as introduce it to the other pets and people in your family.

Some Westiepoo owners have reported that it is difficult to housebreak them, while others suggest they will pick up housebreaking effortlessly if they are allowed to go outdoors, if required. The crate training method works best for this breed.

Never be a harsh trainer. Teach them consistently, with firmness and patience, or else, it might backfire.

Diet/Feeding

Depending on the age and size of your dog, 1.5 to 2 cups of grain-free dry dog food, divided into 2-3 meals a day, is recommended. According to some dog-owners, following a raw diet helps in reducing the chances of skin allergies. However, it is better to consult your vet in case you suspect your dog’s diet to be responsible for any health problems.

Interesting Facts

• Weepoos tend to develop syndromes of barking if left alone for long periods of time. This can be fixed if some music (or the television) is left on when the owner leaves home, since the dog loves people’s voice.
• The exact history/date of origin and citation of this new breed is unknown. However, since the first poodle hybrid ‘Cockapoo’ developed in the USA in the 1960s, most of the other poodle hybrids appeared within a decade.