Do you like cute, white, and fluffy dogs?
If so, then we reckon you’ll adore the Westiepoo. You might have heard other names for this dog, too; a Westiepoo is also commonly referred to as a Westiedoodle and a Wee-poo.
This breed is a cross between a poodle and the West Highland Terrier. Most of us know that the Poodle is from Germany and was bred to be a water retriever. It comes in three main types known as the standard, miniature, and toy.
Whereas the West Highland Terrier is from Scotland and was also used for hunting fox, rats, badger and otter. It’s known for its distinct white coat and is medium-sized.
Together these two hunting breeds combined form the Westiepoo, which can reach 11-17 inches in height and weigh 20-35 pounds depending on its gender and poodle parent. Similarly, the Westiepoo has a life expectancy of 13-15 years.
It’s believed that the Westiepoo is one of the original designer breeds in the 1970s and a common pet found worldwide. It’s classed as a designer/hybrid breed because the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize it or any major canine club.
However, some small clubs recognize the Westiepoo like the Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club and American Canine Hybrid Kennel Club.
What Will I Learn? 👇
What are the traits of a Westiepoo?
If you’re looking for a new best friend with undevoted affection, then the Westiepoo will be the dog for you. This breed is full of love, loves to be the center of attention, and enjoys a good belly rub.
Their friendly nature makes them a perfect fit for any household with a family; they get along with kids easily and other pets in the home. However, be warned they can sometimes become overly attached to a particular individual.
If you’re the type of person who’s outside your house regularly or lives an outgoing lifestyle, then this breed can quickly develop separation anxiety. Plus, a Westiepoo can become easily distressed, develop self-destructive behaviors and be noisy.
Due to their parents hunting instincts, Westiepoos can also have a strong prey drive. Don’t be surprised if they try to chase cats, bring birds, or other animals into your home.
Sometimes they can develop guard dog behavior. When a new stranger comes into your home, they may bark for a few minutes, but they will eventually calm down.
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Unlike some breeds, this dog is perfect for any home as small as an apartment. Their medium size does not require too much exercise and can adapt to any home easily.
In regards to exercise, this breed needs around 45 minutes to 1 hour each day. Because they are an intelligent breed, they require a lot of mental stimulation, so make sure you play games with your Westiepoo like hide and seek, fetch and use a kong toy.
Are Westiepoos easy to train?
While training is a rewarding process for you as a dog owner, in the long run, we empathize with you. We know how tiring it can be; no one wants to do this job!
Similarly, trainability can be one of the significant factors which can influence you towards buying and bringing a specific breed of dog into your home.
Well, let us share with you something.
Westiepoo’s are easy to train!
Due to their fun-loving and easy please personality, they pick up commands and skills quite easily. Since they get on with humans, this makes it the perfect opportunity for any family member, especially children, to get involved in the training.
It’s also a great bonding experience for all of the family. The best way to train this breed is through positive reinforcement and food-based rewards.
Be aware, though, if you don’t have food to hand, they can potentially outsmart you. After all, they have clever parents and may not be motivated if they don’t feel there’s something in it for them, a trait that can be also found in the Poogle or the Bossipoo.
Another essential point is because they’re small in size, they have a weaker bladder than other dogs. It can take a bit longer to toilet train this crossbreed as it takes time to train and learn how to control their bladder. The best way to tackle this is by regular bathroom breaks, a consistent routine, and effective crate/toilet training.
What does a Westiepoo look like?
Just like its parents, a Westiepoo has a straight high-level backbone and can have either a square or rectangular-shaped body depending on what they inherit from their parents. Generally, their tails are high up on their body and are curvy in shape.
A Westiepoo has distinct dark wide eyes, which are either oval-shaped or round. Plus, they have a black nose, and ears are located on their head and can be either flat or upright.
Similar to the typical colors of their parents, a Westiepoos coat tends to be white. However, it’s not uncommon for it to have patches of grey, blonde, and liver.
About their coat, a Westiepoo’s fur will be short to medium length and can be either wiry, curly, or both depending on what it inherits from its parent.
If you’re someone who does not like a lot of mess in your home, then you’ll be happy to know this breed sheds very little. It can be classed as hypoallergenic, given the characteristics of its parents. For example, the poodle does not shed at all, and the Westie sheds only a little.
Grooming requirements of a Westiepoo
If you’re looking for a dog that needs little maintenance, then the Westiepoo is an excellent breed to consider. Even though it’s low maintenance, it still needs to be brushed every few days to prevent its coat from becoming matted next to its ears and eyes.
Plus every once in a while, a Westiepoo should be taken to the groomers to have its fur-trimmed, this is easier to maintain.
In addition to this, they require a bath once a month; otherwise, it will look messy.
To wash a Westiepoo, you should use a mild shampoo and only do so around the eyes and ears.
Regarding their ears, they should be cleaned every week or two to prevent the build-up of excess dirt and moisture brought in from their surrounding long hair.
Their nails should also be trimmed once a month, and their teeth brushed a few times a week.
Health problems faced by the Westiepoo
Westiepoos can be a healthy breed; however, they can face some health problems. The common ones they can encounter are the following:
- Mitral Valve Disease – This starts with a Westiepoo having a mild murmur on their heart from a leaking valve and becoming hesitant to exercise. If this disease goes untreated, more blood will fill up into the heart, causing weakness. This increases their chances of heart failure.
This disease is detected from echocardiograms and x-rays. Early diagnosis and specific medications can help slow down Mitral Valve Disease.
- Progressive Renal Atrophy – This disease is caused by several diseases affecting the dog’s photoreceptor cells in their eyes. There is no cure for this; it will cause the dog’s eyes to deteriorate and eventually lead to blindness. The best way around this is to take a Westiepoo to regular screening programs.
- Legg Calve Perthes Disease – Where the dog’s hip joint does not conform properly. As a result, their muscle mass becomes reduced, and they will develop pain in their limbs. The common cure for this is here physiotherapy or, in the worst case, surgery.
- Patellar Luxation – A Westiepoo could be at risk of developing a common orthopedic knee condition known as Patellar Luxation. This condition is where the Westiepoo’s kneecap can become dislocated and cause a dog to hop or skip several steps.
- Copper Toxicosis – This is a hereditary condition where a Westiepoo cannot excrete specific amounts of copper from its body. As a result, there is an excess amount of copper building up in their tissues and organs.
Typical symptoms are headaches, diarrhea, passing out, vomit, and it can lead to kidney failure. Treatment for this usually involves a Westiepoo having specific medications, hemodialysis, and their stomach being pumped.
How much are Westiepoo puppies?
Be prepared to pay a significant amount for this adorable designer breed. The average price for a Westiepoo is often between $1000-$4000. However, it can be a lot more depending on its bloodline, pedigree parents, location, and program type.
One way of avoiding paying this hefty fee is by adopting a Westiepoo from a shelter. It’s around $300 to cover the costs of expenses it would take to adopt a Westiepoo, and the best place to adopt them is from a rescue.
Because this is a designer breed, we suggest going to a rescue that specifically houses Westie’s and Westiepoos.
Well, what are your thoughts? Would you pay that much for a Westiepoo?
Not just a Westiepoo, what is the price range you would pay to own a dog?
If you already own a dog, let us know down below how much you paid for it and if you own a Westiepoo, let us know if the price is worth it.
Marko is the founder and author at PoodleHQ, where he leverages his expertise and passion. With three generations of poodles under his care, Marko is a lifelong enthusiast of the breed and all animals, bringing his love and appreciation to his work every day.
