Doug Robson dro...@vic.com
1. Pet Shop or Dealer. The worst possible choice. The puppies are poorly bred
and raised. They are thought of as merchandise to be sold for a high profit.
The high profit results because little has been put into the breeding or the
care of the puppies. Many are sickly. Pet shops rely heavily on impulse buying,
which is not the way to choose a dog as an addition to the family.
2. Backyard Breeder. Also a poor choice. This is the person who owns a pet
Westie and thinks it would be “fun” to have puppies, that it would be a great
experience for the children, or that the bitch should be bred once before she
is spayed. Even worse, perhaps, it’s being done just to make money. Usually
this breeder knows little about the Breed Standard or history of the breed, and
still less about proper care. The casual breeder does not have annual eye
examinations done by a Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, and does not
send hip X-rays to the GDC or
OFA for evaluation and registration. The backyard breeder is not aware of breed
problems, and doesn’t care. Often the quality of the dogs being bred is poor.
This person’s only goal is to produce puppies and when the “fun” is over, sell
them quickly.
3. Serious Hobby Breeder. The very best choice. The serious and
dedicated hobby breeder regards his/her dogs as even more than a hobby,
although the true fancier does not expect to make a profit. When someone is
involved in dogs for the enjoyment of each individual animal, for participating
in any of the many aspects of “dog sport”, and for the challenge of producing
the finest animals possible, the result is superior. These breeders acknowledge
responsibility for each and every puppy produced, and stand behind every dog
they have bred. Unequivocally, your choice should be from the ranks of the
SERIOUS HOBBY
BREEDER. It is an interesting fact that poor quality puppies from pet shops and
backyard breeders are often sold for the same price and sometimes even more
than those purchased from the serious hobby breeder
ALSO, this may help you greatly:
Rescue Organizations for Westies:
If you contact theWest Highland White Terrier Club of America (see below)
they can guide you to a reputable breeder in or near your area. Just keep in
mind, backyard breeders and pet shops are the worst places to purchase a dog.
As someone mentioned in a mailing list in which I beling for Westies they
stated they had called a breeder from a classified section and asked about the
AKC paperwork, and how would they know their dog would someday be a champion?
The breeder's reply was"Well, once you send in the paperwork you will
automatically have yourself a CHAMPION dog!". The woman that made the phone
call was a very reputable person in the Westie community as was appalled as
were many others.
My suggestion to you is to do some research on the breed before you purchase.
Your question about monetary value of the breed would range from $500-$1000
depending on the breeder, bloodline, and proximity of the breeder. Always keep
in mind, there are RESCUE WESTIES out there that need homes, and all it'll cost
you should be an the inital adoption fee and if he/she is not fixed, the
spay-neuter costs. Mosts dogs that come from rescue homes have already been
updated on shots. Just beware, ok? Think..and act upon your gut instinct and
nine times out ten you'll be satisfied.
Here are some organiztions that may be of help to you.
West Highland White Terrier Club of America
National Rescue Chairperson
Anne Sanders -Washington
Phone: 206-629-2615 or 1-800-4-WESTIE
West Highland White Terrier Club of California
Contact: Susan Reeves
1490-F Gustavo Street
El Cajon, CA 92019-3243
Phone: 619-579-6395
San Francisco Bay White West Highland Terrier Club (CA)
Pam Evans
San Jose, CA
Phone: 408-274-8718
Central Florida Westie Rescue (FL)
Contact:David & Joyce Romano
Orlando, FL
Phone: 407-292-2352
West Highland White Terrier Rescue (GA)
Charles Gibson and Nancy Wagner
Marietta, GA
Phone: 404-565-6770
West Highland White Terrier Club of Greater Baltimore (MD)
Joe and Naomi Engers
Bel Air, MD
Phone: 301-838-6489
West Highland White Terrier Club of New England (MA)
Beverly Kilinsky
Webster, MA
Phone: 508-943-6254
West Highland White Terrier Club of SE Michigan
Kathy Kittle
Fenton, MI
Phone: 313-632-5542
Janet Lindgren
Bath, MI
Phone: 517-482-0593
West Highland White Terrier Rescue (MN)
Sherry Bakko
St. Paul, MN
Phone: 612-227-2639
West Highland White Terrier Club of Northern New Jersey
Emilie Schoonover
Phone: 201-887-9132
SOS DOGS - Save our Small Dogs
Serving, NJ, PA, DE, NY
18 Downing Street
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003-1519
Phone: 609-424-3424
Email: ross1...@aol.com
William Penn West Highland White Terrier Club (PA)
Patti Marks
Willow Grove, PA
Phone: 215-657-6085
Jackie Steffenson
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: 215-671-9074
South Caroling Westie Rescue (SC)
Contact: Barbara Salmons (member WHWTCA)
3093 Trenholm Rd.
Columbia, S. C. 29206
Phone: 803-787-0375
West Highland White Terrier Club of SE Texas
Linda Wedgeworth
Spring, TX
Phone: 713-821-9026
Westie Rescue of Canada
Nancy Hummitzsch, national chair
Ontario, Canada
Phone: 519-749-0117
West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terrier Club of America
Ann Sanders
1-700-4-Westie (that may be a misprint - maybe it's 1-800?)
West Highland White Terrier Club of California
Susan Porter
Los Angeles, CA
213-463-9113
San Francisco Bay White West Highland Terrier Club
Pam Evans
San Jose, CA
408-274-8718
West Highland White Terrier Resuce
Charles Gibson and Nancy Wagner
Marietta, GA
404-565-6770
West Highland White Terrier Club of Greater Baltimore
Joe and Naomi Engers
Bel Air, MD
301-838-6489
West Highland White Terrier Club of New England
Beverly Kilinsky
Webster, MA
508-943-6254
|| West Highland White Terrier Rescue
|| West Highland White Terrier Club of SE Michigan
|| Kathy Kittle
|| Fenton, MI
|| 810-632-5542
or
|| Janet Lindgren
|| Bath, MI
|| 517-482-0593
|| West Highland White Terrier Rescue
|| Sherry Bakko
|| St. Paul, MN
|| 612-227-2639
West Highland White Terrier Club
of Northern New Jersey
Emilie Schoonover
201-887-9132 (NJ)
William Penn West Highland White Terrier Club
Patti Marks
Willow Grove, PA
215-657-6085
or
|| Jackie Steffenson
|| Phil., PA
|| 215-671-9074
West Highland White Terrier Club of SE Texas
Linda Wedgeworth
Spring, TX
713-821-9026
Westie Rescue
Nancy Hummitzsch, national chair
Ontario, Canada
519-749-0117
Also, here are a few links to check out:
What to Look for In Pet Food
Link: Has each dog food listed and their ingredients, GREAT LIST!!
http://indyunix.iupui.edu/~ebreeden/kibble.html
American Kennel Club
http://www.akc.org/
American Kennel Club Terrier Group List
http://www.akc.org/terriers.htm
ASPA-American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals
http://www.aspca.org/
Sergeants Pet Center
http://www.sergeants.com/
The Humane Society of the United States
http://www.hsus.org/
Lucky Pet Tags
http://www.luckypet.com/
Dukes Dog Fashions-collars, leashes,visors,boots,bandanas
http://www.acmepet.com/dukes/
National Animal Poison Control Center
http://www.NAPCC.aspca.org/
Guide Dogs For The Blind
http://www.guidedogs.com/
Listing for establishments that allow dogs
Listing of emrgency hospitals as well.
hotels, motels, etc. that accept dogs. Also lists emergency pet
> > hospitals.
> > http://www.petswelcome.com.
Canine Companions for Independence:
http://www.caninecompanions.org/
Nonprofit organization that provides highly trained
assistance dogs to people with disabilities and to professional caregivers
providing pet assisted therapy.
Pet Finder
http://www.petfinder.org
Pet Adoption Sites:
Greyhound Adoption
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/echocove/.
Best of luck to you...
Jayne