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It’s no wonder West Highland White Terriers (Westies) are so popular, considering how adorable, charming and endlessly entertaining they are. But while they’re a joy to be with, they also require a bit of work—when it comes to grooming at least.
Which is why most owners end up finding a groomer to take care of their dog (instead of doing all of the hard work themselves every four to six weeks). Plus this breed is rockin’ a hard, stiff coat, which means daily brushing and combing are essential. And though it’ll be tempting with a white dog, you don’t want to bathe your Westie too often because that gets rid of the natural oils that protect their skin.
Their unique coat makes them best suited for a few specific hairstyles. We’ve gathered up some of the most popular ones for you, and hope you can decide on one that makes your dog always feel like the “Best in Show”!
Top Westie Hairstyles
1. The Westie Cut
Via Flickr/a4gpa
This cut is close to the show cut, but it’s a little shorter and slightly easier to maintain—thought it’s also accepted by the American Kennel Club as appropriate for professional showing.
To get this look, the undercoat is cleaned up with a stripping knife or stripping comb and the hair on the back and shoulders is clipped with scissors and blended into the longer fur on their stomach and legs. The face is trimmed into a rounded shape (so adorable!) and the rest of the coat is cut to follow the natural lines of your pup.
2. Puppy Cut
Via Flickr/Arthur Caranta
Looking for an easier option when it comes to grooming your Westie? The Puppy Cut is always a viable option and looks especially cute on this diminutive breed.
For this cut, the fur is trimmed down all over the body to around 1-1.5 inches, keeping the dog feeling cool and minus the tangles and mats. Plus, by trimming up the fur around your pet’s mouth you can avoid the staining that can happen with super-white dogs.
You can always play around with this cut as well—keep the fur around the face a little longer, grow out the body, let the whiskers go free…the sky is the limit! Make sure the cut can really showcase your pup’s own personal attitude and style.
3. Show Cut
Via Flickr/Toby Charlton-Taylor
This is the style for those fancy Westies who want to compete in the ring! If you really want to get it right, the AKC breed standard says that the coat should be about 2 inches long, but a bit shorter on the neck.
The style of the head really stands out with this cut, since it’s hand-stripped to give a rounded appearance, though the coat itself should be hard and straight (not the softest dog to pet by any means!).
This is a high-maintenance cut and requires a lot of extra attention and grooming, so know what you’re getting into if you decide to go this route.
4. Natural Cut
Via Flickr/Peter Houghton
Love your Westie’s coat just the way it is? Then maybe you should choose to go au naturale! There’s nothing wrong with embracing their unique fur without stripping, clipping or shaving it—just be prepared to do a lot of brushing for that double-coat.
Brushing their coat is imperative when it comes to preventing mats and tangles, particularly in their fine undercoat. Make sure to brush daily, and trim the hair around their eyes so that it doesn’t get in the way.
Another bonus? This cut is the easiest one to take care of at home, considering all you’re doing is keeping the coat brushed out.
Regardless of the cut you choose for your Westie, we know that their incredible coif is part of what makes this breed so much fun. It’s up to you to decide what style best suits their personality, and what’s the best match for your lifestyle, family, and wallet.
Does your dog dislike being brushed?
Many dogs love to be brushed, but not all do. And unless they got a lot of practice with it as puppies, they may be suspicious when you first introduce them to the brush. Approaching brushing slowly, with positive, non-threatening interactions, is more likely to result in a smoother grooming routine. Here’s how to get your dog to accept—and perhaps even enjoy—brushing:
- Before you even set brush to fur, let your pup make friends with the tool. Start by placing the brush on the ground and throwing high-value treats around and on top of it, encouraging your dog to investigate the funny new object at their speed.
- The simple act of reaching for your dog with the brush can be scary for some dogs. Next, work on reaching out with the brush to very lightly touch your dog’s body with the edge of the bristles. Each time you reach out with the brush, immediately follow it with a high-value treat. Be sure to take extra care (and time, if needed) when brushing around the ears, legs, and genitals.
- When your dog is comfortable with step 2, move on to brushing the fur. Start lightly, alternating each stroke with a reward. Over time, work your way up to pressing more firmly and brushing for several strokes in a row.
Source: https://www.petcarerx.com/article/haircut-styles-for-a-west-highland-white-terrier/473
Source: https://pets.thenest.com/different-hairstyles-westie-terriers-12727.html
Source: https://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/different-hairstyles-west-highland-terrier-6473.html
