West Highland White Terrier: An Owner's Guide Toa Happy Healthy Pet

This is a quick overview of this loveable little breed. Not detailed of course, but the author does point out the downside of "Westies" as well... to wit: they are terriers meaning that a) they bark (boy do they ever! Our westie has a bark a Great Dane would be proud of), b) terriers dig and c)they are hunters and won't be able to tell the differnce between the mouse or squirrel outside and the family's pet hamster. Despite these so called flaws (in other words, don't blame your westie for being a westie)these dogs make wonderful pets and the authors love and respect for this breed shows on every page.The book offers good advice on caring for a West Highland White, as well as training one,(the training part written by another author) Maybe not worth 13 bucks, but still a worthwhile read for the owner of one of these dogs. As the author points out, the AKC breed standard has the perfect one line description of these wonderful little dogs: "...possessed of no small amount of self-esteem"

I enjoyed the book and read it quickly. The one problem I saw at the beginning was that there was a lot of repetition of the AKC standard and his explination of that standard. I bought the book from a pet store and paid full price. Not worth $13.

A very readable, down to earth guide to the breed. The author describes the 'Westie's' characteristics, while giving some insight into the background of the breed and the reasons for those traits. It covers the breed standards (however somewhat generally), and deals with the practicalities of bringing home a brand new "Westie" puppy for the first time. Well written, by an author who obviously loves the breed, and conveys part of that love to the reader. I had trouble putting it down.