Grooming a Westie not only keeps the dog looking attractive, but also contributes to the animal's well-being and continued health.

Coat

For daily brushing, set the Westie on a table that has a skidproof top (rubber mat, towel, etc.). With one hand, hold the puppy still to keep it from jumping off the table, with the other, brush it with a currying brush for terriers. If your pet is full-grown, brush it first with the terrier brush, then with a wire brush to keep the hair from becoming malted.

Bathing the dog with soap or shampoo removes the natural oils in its coat that protect the animal from wet and cold. Illness can be the result. Your Westie will always be perfectly well groomed if you brush it daily, rinse the hair on the dog's legs and its ears, if necessary, with warm water, and give it a warm shower, when necessary.

The westie has a double coat, consisting of a wiry, rough top coat and a soft undercoat. The top coat protects the dog from cold and damp, the undercoat keeps it warm. If you simply cut off the top coat, it will take about a year for the Westie's protective hair to grow back. Instead, the coat has to be trimmed, that is, plucked. You can do that either with your fingers or with a dull trimming knife. The knife is useful in the trimming process because it covers a larger surface area. Have your Westie properly trimmed by a professional every three months.

In Western Australia, contact Rob Stone on 941 96426 or mob: 0417 165274.

Nails

A dog that moves about a great deal on a hard abrasive surface keeps its own nails worn down. The nails have to be trimmed if the tip of the nail extends beyond an imaginary line reaching from the foot pad to the nail. It is hard to tell where it is safe to cut without injury to the dog and would be better left to a professional.

Foot Care

The hairs between the foot pads protect the feet from injury. Trim only the surplus hair that protrudes. Once a week, feel between the pads with a finger, and cut out only the hard clumps of hair stuck together with dirt.

Teeth

When a dog's teeth are not maintained properly, hard crusts of tartar develop on the surfaces of teeth. Diseased teeth and gums are a common problem amongst dogs. Puppies can be encouraged from a young age to keep their teeth and gums in good condition by providing substances for them to chew, e.g. bones, chews or biscuits. You may also assist by brushing your westie's teeth. It is a good idea to start when the pup is still young, so that it is used to having fingers and the brush in its mouth. Dental brushes and pastes are available from your veterinarian. Human toothpaste is not suitable for pets.

Ears

Approximately every three months, use tweezers to pluck any hairs growing out of the ear. Pluck out only a few hairs each time, to keep from hurting the dog. These hairs must not be cut, because tiny pieces of hair would drop into the ear. If necessary, you can clean the outer part of the ear with a cotton swab soaked with baby oil.

Eyes

If mucoid matter has collected in the corners of your westie's eyes, remove it with a cloth handkerchief. If the matter has become encrusted, moisten the cloth with a camomile solution and carefully loosen the crust with it.