Dachshund

Breed:  Dachshund

Description:  The Dachshund is a short legged long bodied muscular dog designed to dig out and fit down badger holes. They can be found in two sizes – mini and standard and three different coats – smooth, wire haired and long haired. It is believed the smooth coated is the original Dachshund, where the two other coat types came later. The long haired variety has spaniel in it and tends to be sweeter tempered and mellower and the wire haired has terrier and tends to be more spirited and fiery than the other two.
Characteristics: This adorable little dog has a big personality. Combines an affectionate loving nature, a mischievous comical side and a rash courageous die hard attitude. They can definitely be a handful.

They are intelligent but stubborn and need to be convinced of the rightness of what it’s been asked to do. Training needs to be firm but always fair and owners stand their best chance using positive reward focused techniques. They usually disobey in a comical way so discipline first, laugh second, if you don’t train, They’ll train you. Definitely a dog best suited from someone experienced.

The Dachshund is a playful and clever little guy, who loves to keep people on their toes, but also has a soft side. They are very devoted and sensitive and are a sympathetic friend always ready to be there for a hug when needed. The Dachshund is also protective and alert and makes a good barking watchdog. If given the chance they can get very carried away with the barking and many can get very territorial.

Good with children but due to the fact that he injures easily and is not always the most patient, is best suited for a home with older children. They usually do fine with other household dogs and cats. Some can be scrappy with strange dogs and all Dachshunds should be carefully watched around rabbits and other small animals. Dachshunds are very pack oriented animals and do not do the best left alone a lot, many Dachshund suffer from separation anxiety, if they are going to left alone regularly for long hours, the company of another dog, especially another dachshund, is a good idea.
Origins:  The Dachshund is a fairly old breed, originating in Germany in the 16oos. Created to hunt Badger below and above ground.  The word “Dachshund” is the combination of two German words, Dachs, which means Badger and Hund  which means dog. In German Dachshund literally means Badger dog.

Special needs:  The Dachshund needs early and ongoing socialization, training and daily exercise to keep healthy, happy and well behaved. Dachshund that are lacking in any of these three areas can end up being aggressive dominant dogs who make a lot of noise, start fights and cause a lot of trouble.
Highlights :

- A hunter of badgers, rabbits, rats and other vermin and makes a great addition to a home in need of an exterminator. The smooth and wired haired varieties are better hunters than the long haired.

- Dachshunds are known for being difficult to house train.

- Sadly the Dachshund is prone to a variety of health problems, the most prominent being back issues. Not well shaped for getting up and down from couches and beds and climbing stairs and takes back injuries quite easily. Not a good choice for those who live in walk up apartments.

-Care should be taken when allowing off lead as they’re a chaser and have well developed hunting and killing instinct.

- Can be a very enthusiastic digger, especially when bored

pet spider

Spiders as Pets

Spiders can make interesting and fascinating pets and in comparison to a dog or a cat, a spider is a relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain pet.

Spiders are not insects, they are arachnids, they have a two part body, eight legs and six to eight eyes. Insects have six legs, three body parts and only 2-3 eyes. Spiders are found throughout the entire planet, other than Antarctica and there are more than 40,000 different types of spiders.

Housing a spider is fairly easy, any small aquarium or terrarium will work well as long as it has a good solid lid. Many spiders do need an exact climate so you may need to purchase a heat mat and lighting for them.  Incandescent lights should never be used as they could dry the spider out and it is best not to put them in direct sunlight. For a spider to flourish it needs proper temperatures and humidity. The home should be set up to mimic the natural environment as close as possible and giving the spider some places to hide is always a good idea. Spiders are not social creatures and are predatory by nature, it is best to keep only one per enclosure.

It is very important that the home is very secure as spiders are adept climbers and escape artists. A spider on the loose is very dangerous not only for the spider but also for everyone else in the household who could get a bite. Other pets pose a serious threat to a pet spider as it does to them. Cats and dogs have been known to eat pet spiders they find crawling around and on the reverse, dogs and cats can get very ill, even die, from certain spider bites.

All spiders are at least a little poisonous and though those sold as pets are far from deadly enough to kill they can still cause pain and an allergic reaction. The Tarantula also has hairs that can discharge if scared which will cause irritation and if they enter an eye could cause serious vision damage.

Other than the Tarantula, most spiders have very short life spans, 1-2 years. The Tarantulas can live for 20-30 years in given proper care. Spiders, like any pet, are susceptible to illness and disease, but sadly, unlike more traditional pets, most veterinarians have no idea how to diagnose and treat a spider. If your spider gets ill there may be no medical care available..

Unlike many of the more common pets, spiders are not ones to be picked up and carried around and definitely not ones to be cuddled. Dropping a spider could cause the abdomen to rupture which could most definitely kill them. Spiders are much like fish, that are too be watched and admired and loved from afar. A spider should only be picked up when absolutely necessary.

Before bringing a spider home, one should check their city or areas laws to ensure that spiders are allowed. Many areas have laws against exotic and potentially dangerous pets.

There are many different types of pet spiders to choose from. Spiders that hunt on foot make far better pets than web spiders. Tarantulas are by far the most common pet spider, available in many different types and are often available in pet stores. Some have a legs-pan greater than 10 inches. Wolf spiders also make fine pets, though they are not as big as the Tarantula. Large Wolf spiders can have 3-4 inches leg-span. Jumping spiders are very small, often smaller than a half inch in size. They are brightly coloured and prized for their amazing jumping ability. They can be kept in a small terrarium or even a jar.  Fishing Spiders are quite large and very fast. They are best housed in a vertical enclosure that offers lots of branches placed upwards for them to climb on.

Spiders are carnivorous predators and eat live food. You will need to supply them with fresh crickets and other insects regularly, though they do not need to eat daily, usually once or twice a week is sufficient. Some of the larger Tarantulas may also eat pinky mice (newborn mice). They also needs a very shallow bowl of fresh water.

Spiders grow by molting. Molting is basically the shedding of old skin. During this time the spider should not be disturbed at all and should not be fed as they’re extremely vulnerable and stressed..  Molting can take up to two weeks.

Spiders are quiet and clean pets that don’t take the daily dedication of most of the more popular pets. They don’t mind if you stay out late or go away for the weekend, or work a lot of overtime. They are extremely interesting to watch and are very attractive pets in their own way. They are not going to snuggle with you, they are not going to keep you safe from a burglar but they can add a lot of joy into your life with their fascinating ways.

Despite what many believe, turtles are not low maintenance pets, they take a fair amount of dedication and time and can be rather expensive to maintain. They are however interesting and entertaining pets that will be with you for years to come.

Turtle

Those considering turtles should keep in mind that they are a very long term commitment, turtles can live 50-100 years. Turtles must have exposure to ultraviolet light – this can be accomplished through either direct exposure to the sun or by using special lights made for reptiles. Most turtles grow quite large and will need a tank or pen to accommodate this growth. They need not only commercial turtle food but also fresh fruits and vegetables. Turtles, especially water turtles, tend to be smelly and get dirty quite quickly, frequent cleanings are necessary and large aquariums for water turtles can cost a bit to run. Turtles, especially young turtles, carry salmonella which could make a person very sick, thorough hand washing is mandatory after touching one. Turtles are not a good choice for a child’s pet as not only do they cause a health risk, they are fair too high maintenance and a turtle could easily bite.

The most common pet turtles are the red-eared slider (also called the red-eared terrapin). Russian tortoises,  box turtles, painted turtles and mud turtles. Red-ear sliders and painted turtles are related and are both semi-aquatic. The slider is probably the most often seen in pet stores and is definitely one of the most popular. A slider can grow quite large, up to 11 inches, which means they will eventually need a fairly big tank. Both the slider and the painted are omnivores, so need both meat and fresh vegetables. They can be feed commercial turtle food, along with some fresh foods, such as live goldfish, raw fish such as shrimp, fresh lettuce and other vegetables. Painted turtles are far more vibrant than many of the other turtles with colourful markings on their shell and yellow and red stripes down their neck and legs. They can grow up to 10 inches. Compared to some of the other turtles, semi-aquatic ones are a bit more difficult and time consuming due to their more specialized environment needs.

Box turtles are another very popular type of pet turtle. In the wild they live in mossy damp areas and this environment should be reproduced for them in their pen. These turtles are also omnivores and eat a variety of food from insects, lettuce, berries and other fresh vegetables and fruits. The Box turtle lives completely on land and an outdoor pen works wonderfully for them. The pen should offer a sunny spot for basking and shade to relax in. During the winter they will dig into the mud and hibernate.

Mud Turtles are much smaller, never growing more than 5 inches, they live in muddy or sandy places. They can be kept inside or out. Inside, they should have a large tank set up to mimic their natural environment. Outside, a pen with a mud area and covered area works well. Like the box turtle they also will hibernate in winter if they are kept outside. They too are omnivores and have a similar diet as the box turtle. Mud turtles make wonderful pets.

The Russian Tortoise is small for a tortoise, only reaching 10 inches. A herbivore, eating a variety of grasses, fruits and vegetables. They are happiest outside but can be kept inside is needed. They need a big pen that has something on the floor they can burrow into, they also enjoy having stuff to climb over. They too will hibernate if keep outside during the winter.

Turtles do take some dedication but they are such beautiful and amazing creatures that for many people they are well worth the effort. Land turtles are far easy and cheaper to care for then semi-aquatic turtles and turtles that are kept outside are even easier to care for as they don’t have the odour problems indoor turtles often have.  Care should always be taken when housing turtles, especially young ones when outside, as they do have a few natural predators.

Russian Blue Cat

Breed: Russian Blue Cat

Description: With a fined boned long body, clean lines, bright green eyes and lustrous blue coat with a stunning silver sheen, the Russian Blue is a cat that is admired by many. The short plush double coat feels like velvet and only comes in one length and in one colour – blue with a tinge of silver.

Characteristics: The Russian Blue is much more independent and undemanding than many of the other breeds of cats. They are tranquil and quiet and make a fine choice for single people who are gone to work all day – this cat doesn’t mind being alone. The Russian Blue is very intelligent and easy to train and has been known to open doors, play fetch and learn simple tricks.

They can be quite shy and can get very nervous and unhappy when strangers are in their home, but with their family, are devoted and affectionate. This cat is very sensitive to the moods in the house and does best in a quiet stable home. They do well with children as long as they are not too rambunctious and can live with other pets but really is a loner and is happiest in a household with a minimal of other animals.

Origins: Not much is know about the exact history of the Russian Blue but it is thought they were originally brought to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s from the Archangels Isles in Russia by sailors.

Special needs:  The Russian Blue is a very low maintenance cat, who doesn’t have a lot of special needs. They do gain weight easily, so owners need to regulate the diet. During the spring and autumn when they are shedding, they should be brushed regularly.

Highlights:

- Usual life span is about 15 years

- Does not take well to changes in routine or environment

- They can be very picky of the cleanliness of the litter box, so owners should be sure to clean it regularly.

- A very healthy breed, not prone to any health problems

- The Russian Blue is best as an indoor cat – the outside world can be very scary.

parrot

Breed:  Parrots

Description:  There are roughly 372 species of Parrots, they are divided into 3 major families, the Psittacidae – “True” parrots, the Cacatuidae – Cockatoos and the Strigopidae – New Zealand Parrots.  All Parrots have an erect stance, a powerful curved beak, strong legs and for better grip they have feet where the first and fourth toe face backward and the second and third forward. Parrots come in a variety of bright solid and multi- colours, the most common being green.

Characteristics: Parrots are amongst the most intelligent birds in the world and due to their ability to imitate human speech and thier affectionate nature several species have become quite popular as pets. Bringing a Parrot into your life is not a decision to be taken lightly, they require the same amount of dedication, possibly more, as owning a dog.  They take lots of time and hard work, can be very noisy, messy and expensive and are a very long term commitment as they have lengthy life spans.

Parrots are not well suited for homes with younger children as they have very strong beaks that could easily break little fingers. They are also not the best choice for people with a lot of other pets that will see him as prey, a parrot not a bird who will be happy sitting in a cage.

Four of the more common types of parrots seen as pets are the Amazons, African Greys, Cockatoos and Macaws.

Amazons measure about 12 inches from head to tail and are very outgoing and social birds with a loud clear voice. They are rather dominant and demanding but less so than the other above mentioned breeds.

African Grey Parrots are excellent talkers and have been known to learn over 100 human words. They are very smart, responsive and friendly and are very attuned to humans, their environment and can get upset easily. Unlike many of theircousins, the African Grey simply comes in grey and is not as flashy in appearance.

Cockatoos are beautiful birds, who are normally seen in pure white but also come in yellow or orange with white. They have a splendid crest of feathers. They are clever and charming, but also demanding and sensitive. They can upset easily and if not given enough attention and time out of their cage, can become bored and prone to pulling out their own feathers. They are not much of a talker as some of the other Parrots. The Cockatoo is not a good choice for those with allergies as their feathers give us a “feather dust”.

Macaws are extremely beautiful brightly coloured birds, but due to their large size of almost 30 inches from head to tail and their at times very dominating and demanding attitude, they can be quite the handful. The Macaw is definitely best for someone that has experience with Parrots, they have a big personality and are very intelligent, playful and friendly. They do take a lot of socialization, training and daily exercise to help become the great companion they can be..

Origins:  Parrots are found throughout the world, almost anywhere that offers a warm tropical climate. The largest number of Parrots can be found in South America and Australasia

Special needs:  Parrots are a lot of hard work. They need constant care and love, require dedication and time and can be quite expensive. Owners need to be willing to commit to daily socialization, exercise, cleaning and providing them with fresh water and food. They also need training to ensure they don’t bite and remain well behaved. They will also need a yearly visit too the vet to make sure they and remain nice and healthy.

Highlights :

-  Parrots are expensive, not just the Parrot, but the cage, supplies, medical bills and food. This is a big bird and requires a big cage, Parrot cages can cost several hundred dollars.

- Parrots are very vocal and as it is normal Parrot behaviour to greet and say good bye to the sun each day, one should expect loud squawking at sunrise and sunset

- Depending on the type of Parrot , their life span can be anywhere from 15 years to 100.

- A fun way to interact with a Parrot is to teach them tricks. They are very intelligent and with a little patience can learn to do many fun tricks.

- There is a couple of health risks in owning a Parrot. The first is Parrot Fever. This disease is transmitted from the parrot to the person and causes flu like symptoms. It is easily treatable with antibiotics. People are most apt to catch Parrot Fever from a new bird, so it is very important that all new Parrots see a Vet as soon as possible after purchase. Not only can Parrot flu be passed to people but also other birds and animals. Parrots can also be difficult on people with allergies and for those with serious allergies sadly a parrot may not be a good choice.

Dalmatian

Breed:  Dalmatian

Description:  With an athletic build and distinctive spotted white coat, the Dalmatian is a dog that is easily recognized and known worldwide. Built for endurance and stamina, it is easy to see with a deep chest and long muscular legs, the Dalmatian running beside horses and carriages of times past. The Dalmatian is a dog like no other, in appearance and temperament.

Characteristics:  The Dalmatian is a lovely dog, full of good spirit and cheer. They are quiet and polite, a real well mannered gentleman, an a wonderful addition to the right household.

This is a very athletic dog and loves to play and needs a family of a similar disposition. Best for someone who has experience with dogs and is as active as they are. They make an excellent choice for those who enjoy bicycling, jogging, hiking or even horseback riding. An ill exercised Dalmatian is an unhappy, ill behaved Dalmatian.

They can be a bit stubborn and some can be high strung, but they are intelligent and easily trainable, if done in a positive reward focused way. The Dalmatian a loyal and protective dog, who makes a good family protector.

The Dalmatian makes a wonderful friend for children but care should be taken when around toddlers as they can be quite enthusiastic in play and may accidentally knock them over. They get along well with other household pets and especially love horses but some can be belligerent with strange dogs.
Origins: As the names suggests, the Dalmatian comes from Dalmatia, which is a region of Croatia. An old breed, who has been known in Europe since at least the Middle ages.

Special needs:  Dalmatians need three major things, early and ongoing socialization and training and daily exercise. Without these three things they can easily become a high strung dog, who is given to destructive bad behaviour and aggression. Dogs who don’t get proper socialization as puppies can suffer from fear aggression which is one of the hardest conditions to help a dog through.
Highlights :

-The Dalmatian’s usual life span is about 12-14 years

- Like any dog who is predominantly white, the Dalmatian is prone to deafness, it is estimated that about 30% of all Dalmatians have some sort of hearing problem. When buying a puppy be sure to check his hearing.

- Despite a short coat, the Dalmatian sheds daily all year long.

- A very clean dog, who has basically no doggie odour.

- Due to their popularity because of television and movies, it’s a breed that has been badly bred by unscrupulous people just trying to make a quick buck. Perspective owners need to pick their breeder carefully, look for one that cares about the betterment of the breed and offers a health guarantee.

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Having a beautiful yard and garden can be quite the challenge when you have pets you share it with, especially dogs. By taking a little time to make your yard pet friendly and you garden pet safe, you can make your yard into an area both of you can enjoy and get the most of.

pet friendly yards

Your yard should be completely fenced and you should ensure there are no holes or breaks in it. Privacy fencing can help cut down on barking, especially if your yard is located where a lot of pedestrian traffic goes by. You need to have shade in your yard, if you don’t already have a good shade tree, maybe its time to plant one. Setting up a gazebo is great for some instant shade. All poisonous plants should be removed and your yard should be hole free so nobody hurts themselves stepping into one. Always be sure that fresh cold water is available for your pets and supply you dog with toys so they have something to play with.

Dogs are very hard on grass. For small areas changing your lawn to a stone, brick, cement or a flagstone patio has many advantages. Not only does this solution offer very low maintenance, but also stops any digging and minimizes the damage done by dog urine and feces and their constant running around. For areas that you want grass, be sure to use grass meant to stand up to the wear and tear dogs can do. A better choice than grass is clover. It is far hardier than grass and doesn’t show urine stains the way grass does. Dogs tend to travel the same path every time and if they have a fenced yard one of their favourite paths will be along the fence line. Putting in stone walkways over existing dog paths is a wonderful way to add some charm and beauty to a yard and will also help wear down your dogs nails as he runs around and keeps his feet cleaner on rainy days. Digging can be a problem with many dogs and bare earth is often just too tempting to resist. Be sure to fill in all bare spots with pet safe flowers, rocks, grass or clover. Using mulch, bark chips, gravel or anything similar is not a great solution as many dogs will find them fun to dig in. For dogs who love to dig, if you have the room, giving them a designated digging spot can work well.

For gardens, flower or vegetable, raised beds and/or fencing can work great and look very attractive. Dogs will see light coloured fences better than dark. If you don’t have the room in your yard for a fenced off garden or are renting your home, growing flowers and plants in containers, hanging baskets, window boxes and the upside down hanging tomato pots work well. When picking out the plants for your garden, when ever possible pick large plants as dogs are more likely to leave them alone, flowering shrubs are an excellent choice as they are beautiful and even the most rambunctious of dogs will have a hard time running them to the ground. Always be sure that no matter, flower or vegetable, that they are pet safe, dogs and sometimes cats will nimble plants and eat vegetables. You should not use any pesticides or chemical of any sort on your garden. These are not good for your pets, yourself or the environment. There are many natural ways to fight weeds and garden pests. Keeping cats out of gardens can be tougher than dogs, as fences won’t stop them. Laying pine cones around the area you want protected from them is a good and easy deterrent, also children’s sand boxes should have a lid so cats don’t use it as a litter box.

If you don’t want your yard covered in feces and urine spots, taking the time to teach a new puppy where you would like him to do his bathrooms is well worth the effort. Be sure to pick a spot that accommodates a male dog by having a tree, big rock or even a post.

Don’t forget to take your dog for walks and to the dog park if possible, do not use the yard as their only means of exercise and don’t leave them unattended for more than 15-20 minutes. Most of all enjoy your yard with your pets and don’t be unrealistic in what you can and can’t do and have in your yard.

Siamese Cat

Breed: Siamese cat

Description: The Siamese is long of body, fine boned with a narrow head, almond shaped vivid blue eyes and an exotic elegant look. They are slim and sleek, with a short silky coat – available in light cream with 4 different colour points- seal point, blue point, chocolate point or lilac point.

Characteristics: This very people oriented cat can be much more demanding, dominant and persistent than many other breeds of cats. They have a loud voice which they often uses to let people know when they want something and definitely considers themselves king of the household. This cat is intelligent and said to be easy to train, but more often than not it’s the Siamese in control. They are loving and affectionate with a family and will always take what they figure is the best seat in the house – an owner’s lap and insists on being the centre of attention. They get along wonderfully with the elderly and with children, simply becoming scarce when they have had enough of them. They can get along well with other cats and dogs if raised with them.

Origins: The Siamese cat is one of the oldest domestic cat breeds. They originate from Siam, which is now known as Thailand, and is a descendant of the sacred temple cats. They were not seen outside Asia until late into the 1800s and now are one of the most popular cat breeds around the world.

Special needs  Siamese tend to gain weight easily, especially during their middle years, owners need to monitor their diet carefully. They tend to reach sexual maturity before many other breeds of cats, females can go into heat as early as 5 months, spaying and neutering should be done as early as possible. To stop males from spraying in the house, he needs to be neutered before 6 months of age.

Highlights :
- A very healthy breed with an average life span of 15-20 years, it is not uncommon at all for a Siamese to live past their twentieth year.
- The Siamese is less active at night and has poorer night vision than most other cats.
- Though they make a good family pet, they do tend to bond more closely with one person in particular.
- The Siamese cat is considered one of the most social and outgoing of all the cat breeds

Parakeet

Breed:  Parakeet

Description: Parakeets are a species of parrot, not a singular bird breed. They are all small to medium sized brightly coloured birds that have long tapered tails. There is over 120 different types of Parakeet. The Budgie is the most common pet breed of Parakeet.

Characteristics: The Parakeet breeds that have been domesticated all make very good pets. They share many similarities being vibrant in color, very social and affectionate, are intelligent and clever, do not do well when left alone for long periods of time, can be rather boisterous and love to play and fly.

Parakeets in the wild are flock birds and this instinct can still be seen with birds that have been domesticated. They pine when left alone too much and can become depressed and even self destructive by pulling out their own feathers. Birds are best in pairs unless their owner can dedicate several hours daily to them.

They are very active birds, always on the go and love to climb, fly and chew.  Parakeets are generally easier to care for then their larger parrot cousin, they are less demanding, less expensive, less messy and usually much quieter.

Origins:  Parakeets are found in large amount of areas throughout the world, Asia, Australia, Africa, Central and South America.

Special needs:  They need a cage large enough so they can get in a little play and exercise, one that has many perches set at different levels and toys to play with. Parakeets need a high quality bird pellet and fresh fruits, vegetables and water daily. Fresh produce should be well washed as Parakeets are very sensitive to pesticides, better yet buy organic.

Highlights:

- In warmer climates parakeets can be kept outside. Owners just need to ensure that they are protected from drafts, the damp and humidity and predators.

- As Parakeets are so social they make very good birds for aviaries.

-  Parakeets are easy to breed and make good attentive parents

- Most Parakeets live to be around 12 years old.

- Most Parakeets enjoy bathing and splashing in water and will appreciate being given something to bathe in a couple of times a week.

West Highland Terrier

Breed:  West Highland White Terrier

Description:  Commonly known as the Westie, this adorable little dog has a lovely straight white coat, small erect ears and a black button nose, with dark eyes to match. Despite their sweet appearance, this is a country dog, a terrier, breed to hunt fox and badger.

Characteristics:  The West Highland White Terrier is a cheerful extrovert, always ready for fun and games. A wonderful blend of an affectionate cuddly lap dog and hardy robust companion that can keep up to all but the most active of owners.  They can go from happily being snuggled in your lap to doing a long rugged hike in the blink of an eye.

They do well in the city or country, house or apartment as long as given adequate exercise and fits well into a family environment as they are usually very playful and loving with children. Some can live quite well with other dogs and cats, others can‘t, most are scrappy with strange dogs and none should be trusted around small pets like rodents and rabbits. Early and ongoing socialization with other dogs can help curb aggression problems.

The Westie is a fine choice for those getting their first dog, they can be a bit stubborn and independent but is intelligent and trains easily. This dog is loyal and dedicated to a family and makes a good barking watchdog.

Origins:  The West Highland White Terrier originated from Argyle Scotland. They got official recognition in 1905 when the first West Highland breed club was formed. Related to the Cairn and the Skye Terriers.

Special needs:  West Highland White Terriers are prone to dry skin and allergies. Bathing more than once every month or so is not recommended. Regular brushing is also very important as not only does it keep them neat and tidy but it helps to spread natural oils throughout the coat. They also need weekly ear cleanings so they don’t get ear infections. Should be professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks.

Highlights:

- The West Highland is a no shedding breed so may be a good choice for allergy suffers.

- Usual life span is 12-17 years.

- The Westie is an excellent hunter of vermin.

- An enthusiastic digger and care should be taken when leaving unattended in the yard, they can quickly dig under fences and be gone before you know it.