Whether or not you plan to show your Westie, or keep him for a family pet, the first key to West Highland Terrier grooming is to begin whereas he is a puppy.

Take your Westie to his first groomer appointment after he has had all of his photographs, at roughly 14 weeks. Acclimate your dog to the grooming process, and he’ll grow to simply accept it as part of his natural routine. In case you intend to groom your dog at home, give him his first clipping at around the similar age.

West Highland Terrier grooming, whether or not carried out at house or by a groomer, should be carried out with the dog’s safety and luxury as the primary considerations. Concentrate on the practices used by your groomer, and you should definitely remain along with your dog until you’re convinced that he’s safe.

Contact your native Westie Club to find a respected groomer. If you happen to intend to point out your dog, you’ll want to be sure that your groomer knows what a Westie cut appears like. It isn’t unusual for house owners to search out that their Westie has come residence from a grooming trying like a Schnauzer or a Scottish Terrier. In case you are uncertain, convey images to your first groomer visit.

Although you would possibly suppose that, after security, your first consideration is price, easy methods to groom your Westie is your next decision. A show dog should be hand stripped to offer the dog its Westie look – round head, carrot-shaped tail, and blended skirt.

Hand stripping includes truly pulling hairs. When they grow back, they are usually straighter and coarser. Many claim {that a} hand stripped Westie coat sheds grime, allowing the dog to go longer between baths. Hand stripping will not be mandatory for a Westie that’s saved as a pet, and a daily clipping from your groomer, or at dwelling, is all that your canine needs. A clipped Westie coat can be softer and curlier, and extra susceptible to staining.

Due to their white coats, staining is another downside peculiar to West Highland Terrier grooming. If the hair is white at the base, licking may be the problem, and is usually triggered by cuts and abrasions, or objects lodged within the hair across the paw.

Hair that is stained all the way down to the base might point out a fungal or yeast infection, and your Westie ought to see a veterinarian. Staining across the muzzle is most often brought on by the food the canine eats. Examine for pink food dies, or beets within the formula. If you would like your Westie to achieve show canine perfection, a cotton ball dipped in hydrogen peroxide, and wiped on the beard day by day, will lighten and stop the stains.

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