My DD does. They really like him. He went for his first haircut Saturday.
Leslie

A friend of mine had one and they absolutely loved
that little thing. She was so, so smart and the
cutest dog.

If I were getting a dog - I would certainly consider
the Westies.

I envy you. :)

If I were them, I would research the Westie dogs traits. Before I got my Bichon I did lots of research on owning a Bicon. A friend had a cute Westie but it definitely was not a lap dog. I like lap dogs.

We had a Westie for 13 yrs. He was a great dog and we loved him so much! I will say that he was difficult to potty train and definitely NOT a lap dog. He was very independant! He was always healthy but began to be incontinent and it was very difficult as we weren't home all day to let him go out as needed. Our home backs up to a golf course so fencing and placing him outside wasn't an option. It was constant dribbling and we did try some pills but they were incredibly expensive... and didn't help him anyway. We ended up having to put him down. It was the hardest thing we've ever had to do. Thinking back, he may have always had problems with that part of his system and it may be one of the reasons he was so difficult to house break. I would have a Westie all over again, though!

We've been owned by four Westies during our marriage: Charlie, Rosie, Pip, and now Eliot, who is a Westie rescue dog, originally from a puppy mill. D@mnation to people who run those mills -- and I'm not thrilled with people who buy from pet stores either! (End of Rant.)

Each was housebroken before three months of age, Orie. The 'best' one, confirmation-wise, had skin troubles, but the other three had none. Pip lived to just shy of 17 before he asked to be relieved of pain; he was never incontinent although he was blind and deaf for two years at the end.

We chose our first Westie because I wanted a dog that would fit in the laundry tub (just kidding, but it's nice), and DH didn't want to walk a Kissy-Poo Doggie.

Charlie was great with DS when he came along. They've all loved people. Eliot is especially fond of little girls; he loves their high voices and that they squeek and squeal. Eliot is also a big lap-sitter, Linda!

I've known female Westies who were sweet, but Rosie wasn't one of them. It was 'her way or the highway' with her. I prefer males. A Westie breeder demonstrated the gender difference with a litter that was three months old: She called the dogs to her from a yard; the males came right away, but the females 'had to think about it' and only came when it could appear to be their own idea!

Westies need to be brushed regularly, but not like many longer-haired dogs. We have ours bathed and clipped about five times a year ($50 + tip). They think they are big dogs, but aren't large. (Ours have been 15 - 23 lbs.) They have 'stand-up' ears and don't get the ear troubles common to dogs with ear flaps; no 'bug' eyes prone to injury either. They are terriers, but no more 'yappy' than their owners allow them to be! They don't like heat, but cold and snow are just fine (no coats needed). Beause of their short legs, you can give them plenty of exercise without wearing yourself out.

They are what my DH calls 'The dog of choice', featured in many ads, so I guess other people think they are cute.

Talk to some breeders before you buy any dog!

I researched dogs a couple of years just by Googling dog breeds. It was very informative health wise and character traits.

I have two Cairns (cousin breed to the Westie). Terriers are great little dogs, but high energy.

No, but we want one!! When I went home to TX a few weeks back, we stayed a couple of nights with friends who had one. We fell in love with that dog - I was trying to figure out how to sneak him into my suitcase to bring him with me! Tee hee...

We hope to get one sometime but will wait until our Ragdoll passes away (I think a dog would be too much for poor Kelby!

My sisters in law are on their second pair of Westies (all female). They are lovable dogs and very affectionate but also strong-willed. You could say even stubborn :-) If you want a biddable dog I would not pick a female Westie :-)

I had a gf who had one and she totally loved her....said that is the only dog she would own....me I am partial to my Golden and my doxies...can't imange owning any other kind now...LOL let us know adn of course pics are a must! Stacy

Thanks everyone.

My BIL & SIL have a Westie named Lola! SHe is a cutie. SHe's a great little dog but she has had some skin problems and was a little slow at housetraining. But she is smart and lots of fun. She's not crazy about being picked up. She prefers to keep her feet on the ground. They love her and are very happy with the breed.

The Westies are so cute. I think it's the dog on the Cesar dog food commercial. I wanted a lap dog though, hence Caesar the peke. He cuddles a lot, wants to be near us or sitting on us or sleeping with us.

Two people in our neighborhood have male Westies which I have met while walking my dog. They are intelligent, tail-waggers, kind of independent (when they stop & sniff you stop & wait), not barkers, & their owners adore them. They like people & don't mind other dogs.

I don't know how long their hair gets; both owners keep their dogs trimmed.