Last Updated on April 13, 2023 by Becky Roberts
Are you confused between the West Highland terrier or. Poodle to be your next pet? Both the Poodle as well as Westie Westie are popular with prospective dog owners who are seeking a smaller pet to be their own. Actually, both breeds share a lot in common.
Despite the similarities they have a lot of distinctions. Although they are both great family pets but neither is a ideal fit to every household or life style. Which one is the ideal fit for your family?
This article we will compare the Poodle and. The Westie to show you the ways they’re similar however, they are also quite different. We’ll provide a little information about the history of each breed, and also their needs for nutrition as well as puppy prices, and much more. Let’s get started!
Breed History
While both breeds have distinct looks There’s a lot in common between Scotland’s famous white dog and the Poodle than you believe. The whole thing begins with their history as breeds. For example, both dogs have French connections. Let’s find out more about each dog.
West Highland Terrier
Small, but powerful Small but mighty, small but mighty, West Highland White Terrier is often referred to as the Westie, is one of the ratters in nature that are bred to kill badgers, foxes as well as otters and rats.
The Westie is a native of Scotland The Westie has a heritage along with Dandie Dinmont, Skye, Scottish, and Cairn terriers. However, the Westie’s story is obscured by the passage of time. However, it is widely thought that this breed originated in the 17th century, when James I gifted the small, White dog to King Louis XIV of France.
It is also believed that the distinctive coat of the breed is the result of a hunting incident. The history of the time records the fact that in 19th century, Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch accidentally killed and shot the beloved Cairn Terrier in mid-hut. Furious by the error the Colonel decided to only breed lighter-colored dogs to avoid confusing them with the prey.
Poodle
The Poodle could be the national dog of France however, in reality, it originated in Germany in Germany, where the word “pudelin” was a reference to the dog’s habit of splashing in the water.
The American Kennel Club reports that the history of the breed began around about 400 years ago, in the time it was developed to catch ducks. This is the reason why in France Poodles are referred to as ‘Caniche’ or ‘duck dogs.’
Their role as the world’s most famous duck hunters is also the source of the famed Poodle Show cut. Hunters sought to improve the poodles’ ability to swim and shield vital parts of their bodies from cold. The end result was a cut in the dog’s neck, legs and tail, but left the skin around the chest, hips, and the leg joints.
Appearance
It is possible to find 3 sizes for Poodles; standard miniature, standard, and toy. A Standard Poodle can be about 15 inches tall at the shoulders. Miniature Poodles can be up to 15 inches tall. Toy Poodles are less that 10 inches in height. The average male Poodle weighs between 55 and 60 pounds on average. The females weigh a bit less with a weight range of 45-50 pounds.
Comparatively, the Miniature Poodle weighs closer to the weight of a regular Westie with a weight of 12-20 pounds while The Toy Poodle is still lighter with a weight range of 5-7 pounds. Both dogs are easily confused with tiny stuffed toys because of the delicate look of their appearance.
The three Poodle varieties have curly, long woolly fur even when they are not provided with an Continental Clip to help their coats soak up water while swimming. They also have soft jaws by design, another indication of their hunter-gatherer heritage which makes them great retrievers.
Proportions are the same across the sizes. Proportions are consistent across all three Poodle sizes. They have necks and legs that are long and proportionately long muzzles and ears that are floppy. The coat colors vary among different solids that comprise black , silver, white gray, apricot brown, blue, and.
The coat color of the Poodle may differ however, the Westie is famously white and wee.. Their black counterparts include the Scottish Terriers and the color of any different hue is thought to be an issue within the breed.
Additionally, the Westie’s white coat is double-coated. It is composed of two layers: an shorter undercoat and an overcoat that has hair up to 2 inches long. The double-coat’s design provides excellent waterproofing against Scottish weather as well as protection from the claws of enemies.
The Westie is 10-11 inches tall and weighs between 13-22 pounds.
Temperament
The Westie is an playful, joyful dog who is always ready to a walk or belly rub or playing fetch when the circumstances demand. The Westie barks loudly and doesn’t miss a chance to let it out when faced by strangers. However, this breed is not an individual dog. It quickly will warm up to anyone from family members, friends and even strangers. Rodents and rats are the only exceptions.
In the typical Terrier or maybe simply Scottish style The Westie is a shrewd dog with opinions that are far beyond of his size and an good quantity of spink to support them. A bit less stubborn than other breeds however they are usually attracted to your cause as long as you are able to negotiate with them.
It is also a great digger. Westie is also an excellent digger and, when it isn’t killing its favorite squeaky toys it can be extremely protective of the same toys, and can be just as likely to throw them away as.
Contrary to the obstinate doggie inclination that is dogs like the Westie, Poodles are much more willing to accept orders. Poodles are extremely smart and playful dogs that have enthusiasm and a sense of the absurd proportional to their size.
Poodles are awe-inspiring and very affectionate towards their owners. However, poodles who are overindulged can acquire a tendency to seek attention like barking at the wrong time and smaller breeds can be hostile to strangers.
Socialization at an early age with both people as well as other animals is crucial to the Poodle. They are an extremely trustworthy and secure breed that requires an ardent hand when it comes to training to establish the hierarchy between dogs and humans.
Exercise
The Poodle is fundamentally hunter dog, and consequently requires plenty of exercise. They are energetic canines that have a natural instinct to retrieve, which is why long games of fetch will never ever lose their appeal. Poodles are also water dogs in nature, which makes swimming an great method to burn off the excess energy of canines.
Despite its size despite its size, the Westie is usually described as a tireless. A walk of an hour is probably enough to stretch his legs however, there wasn’t an Westie born to say no to a walk. They’re active and lively and love the opportunity to go on adventures. It’s no coincidence that Tintin’s dog of choice was an Westie.
In contrast to the Poodle However the Westie’s inherent determination can make games such as fetch challenging. They are much more likely to view that the ball is prey rather than something to return. Agility courses and tug-ofwar games are far more for keeping them entertained and active.
Training
Despite their stubborn nature, regardless of their stubbornness, the Westie is an fast and intelligent learner. Alongside positive stimuli and consistency in training, consistency is essential. Any deviation from the norm and that sharp little brain can detect loopholes.
The Westies can also gain from the clicker and crate training. Both of these offer the advantages of consistency as well as an incentive-based feedback system.
The Poodle is also smart and easily trainable. Their friendly disposition and desire to please result in an animal breed that can train quickly and is responsive to praise. Poodles are also very adept to crate training, if they have an appropriate dog crate that is of the right size for their breed.
Poodles are sensitive dogs , and are susceptible to being irritated with negative feedback. Also, similar to similar to the Westie, Poodles train faster and more effectively when they are trained with positively reinforced. Whatever method you choose to use the dog’s co-operation and athleticism makes them adept at learning. A trained Poodle is a very friendly companion for its owner.
Health
Standard Poodles as well as any size of Poodle makes for an very high-maintenance dog. Along with a lot of grooming, and as an pedigree dog is a pedigree dog, the Poodle is susceptible to numerous health and genetic disorders.
Poodle Health Concerns
Like many large and pedigree breeds The Poodle is susceptible to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is caused by an poor hip joint and can cause arthritis as well as pain and the loss of mobility. The best method to prevent the possibility of hip dysplasia within a dog is to talk with a breeder regarding the genetic causes of the condition.
Poodles can also be carriers of Progressive Retinal Atrophy, resulting in blindness, Von Willebrand’s Disease that affects blood clotting, as well as Idiopathic Epilepsy. The majority of these conditions are detectable via DNA or through a consult with the pedigree of the puppy.
Other ailments that are associated with Poodles, such as cataracts, can be easily identified by a vet. Bloating is common among large dogs and a common issue for many Poodles is treated quickly. To reduce bloat in Poodles you should feed your Poodle smaller meals throughout the day, at a levels. A slow-feeder to control food intake can be beneficial.
Westie Health Concerns
The Westie is also susceptible to health issues, though differently. Being a small dog it is more likely to suffer from the condition known as luxating patella. It is which causes the patella joint to rotate between its socket. It could cause arthritis however it can be easily corrected by your vet. Be on the lookout for “bunny hopping” as well as running with three feet, because it’s a typical sign of a luxating patella.
Westies are also susceptible to Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) which is a condition that causes dry eyes, as well as copper toxicosis. This can lead to an accumulation of copper in the liver of dogs and could cause liver failure if not treated. treatment.
The most severe ailments that affect the breed include Legg-Perthes ‘ Disease, Deafness, Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) and globoid cell leukodystrophy, as well as skin issues. They have a lot of these health issues in common with the different breeds.
Nutrition
Due to the West Highland Terrier’s susceptibility to skin issues Certain made-up brands are created to treat skin issues and food allergies.
Small dogs, such as like the Westie needs about 4-6 ounces of dry food each day and a tiny portion of food that is wet. To get the most nutritional benefits owners should provide their Westies three smaller meals during the day instead of one big one.
If you feed Poodles, dry food is the best choice. While Poodles are adamant about eating wet food dry food, it is more gentle on their stomachs as well as more beneficial for their gums and dental health.
There are a variety of options in the food you feed your Poodle and you should need a diet that contains the glucosamine and chondroitin to help maintain its joints and omega fatty acids and probiotics.
The exact amount of food you give your dog will depend on the size of your dog However, as with Westies, multiple meals are likely to provide the highest health outcomes for your dog.
Grooming
Although there isn’t a truly Hypoallergenic breed, Poodles can be considered to have an hypoallergenic coat due to their fur being thought to be more suited to handle for those suffering from allergies. Additionally, they shed less than the average dog, making them a sought-after breed for a variety of breeds of designer Doodle dogs such as that of the Westiepoo.
However, that gorgeous curly coat comes with lots of care. Healthy Poodle coat must be tightly curled, unless it is brushed thoroughly. It is also susceptible to mats, so regular and thorough brushing is essential.
Many dog owners opt to skip the extravagant Poodle show cut to opt for shorter, easier to manage clip.
It is important to note that the West Highland Terrier also has very demanding grooming requirements. They differ based on whether the coat is cut or striped. Typically the striped coats are used to show the dog while a coat that has been clipped is more suitable for everyday day. However it’s true that even a dog who’s been clipped using the grooming clippers will require about 20 to 30 minutes for regular brushing.
Naturally, when it comes to Westies they shed dirt more quickly than Poodles and this is not just due to their white coats – and they’re proud of their coat! Therefore, regular baths are essential to get rid of dirt and other debris that have accumulated on the coat of a Westie. Drying the towel after a walk or washing off the paws prior to going inside is a fantastic way to reduce bathing time.
Puppy Prices
If you are considering purchasing Poodles, prospective owners must be aware that they come in different dimensions and breed standards. Poodles are breed to show standard, but they also have a ‘pet’ standard depending on the possibility of registering your Poodle often at dog show.
After the cost for breeding, screen, food and general puppy care is accounted for, a typical Poodle puppy can cost anywhere from $1,000 and $1300.
The price of a West Highland Terrier, on the other hand, can range in price from $900 to $1700 however the median cost is typically around $1,000.
Whatever dog you choose It’s important to remember that the price doesn’t end with the time you get your puppy. Also, there are the initial year’s supply of supplies and vet bills to think about.
Final Thoughts
The two breeds of dogs are intelligent, smart dogs and are eager to delight their owners. They can train at a similar speed and can benefit from regular training.
The small size of the westie is what makes him ideal for smaller living spaces however, he can be able to adapt to almost any place. In addition, due to the variety of sizes when it comes to poodles, you can locate a dog that can be a good fit for your house, regardless of size.
A Westie may have his own views however, you’ll never require an alarm once more and the poodle’s bouncy attitude as well as athleticism makes him well at playing outside.
It’s a difficult decision, and there’s no one right solution. Whatever you decide to do, ensure that you give your pet affection, exercise, and attention and they’ll be with you for the rest of your life.
