Collins Complete Dog Manual

Description

A short-legged, square dog with a profuse wiry white coat that needs careful attention in order to maintain the typical shape. The head should be slightly domed with very dark eyes. The Westie was used as an all-purpose worker that was kept as a ‘vermin’ killer and taken out to hunt foxes, otters and wild cats. It had stamina and courage, and was agile enough to clamber over rocks and penetrate the smallest holes where its prey could hide.

Fact File

Group: Terrier

Country of Origin: England

Male:

28 cm (11 in)

Female:

Slightly smaller.

Coat: There are two distinct types: the smooth variety and the rough coat.

Life Expectancy: 12–16 years

Guarding Instinct: A good, alert guard.

Temperament & Grooming

Temperament: Playful, mischievous, happy.

Grooming: It needs stripping and shaping every three months and combing daily.

Exercise & Feeding

Exercise: Twice-daily walks are essential and the Westie needs the freedom to run and play-hunt in a garden with the family.

Feeding: There are no special feeding requirements.

Health Problems

Some eye problems are under investigation; a type of eczema and fairly rare Perthe’s disease.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

(© Jean-Michel Labat)

The loyal Staffie is fearless, people-friendly and intelligent but must be disciplined and trained. This dog is relatively easy to train providing patience is asserted. Despite its bloody history, it is now one of the most faithful and affectionate, family-loving pets. A Staffie will fiercely guard babies and is good with older children when they show respect.

History

The Duke of Hamilton, a sporting rake who lived around 1770, developed a lighter fighter (the big Bulldogs not being fast enough), which is claimed to be the forerunner of the breed today. At the end of the eighteenth century, they were the best fighting dogs in existence. Later on, they also proved themselves in rat-pits where a dog, Billy, killed 100 rats in seven minutes thirty seconds. However, it was not until the 1930s that a Breed Standard was created and the Staffie became a showdog and companion.

Description

A chunky, well-muscled, medium-small dog, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a wide head, a pump-handle tail and walks with a jaunty air. The Staffie has a wide, deep chest and straight forelegs. Even though it is very muscular, the Staffie is an agile dog. Affectionate and loyal, these dogs make good pets – a wonderful family dog but not for the novice owner.

Fact File

Group: Terrier

Country of Origin: England

Male and Female:

35.5–40.5 cm (14–16 in)

Note: Height is related to weight.

Coat: The smooth coat is red, fawn, white, black or blue.

Life Expectancy: 12–14 years

Guarding Instinct: A forceful deterrent. An outstanding house guard.

Temperament & Grooming

Temperament: Easy-going, happy clown.

Grooming: Grooming is minimal; all that is needed is a brush and polish weekly to get rid of dead hairs; use a hound glove to polish.

Exercise & Feeding

Exercise: Staffies need both physical and mental stimulation, with plenty of exercise including free running and play.

Feeding: There are no special feeding requirements.

Health Problems

Generally a healthy breed but buy from eye-tested parents and have your puppy tested.

(godrick)

(Dmitrijs Dmitrijevs)

(arturasker)

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

(© Jean Michel Labat)

The modern Cavalier King Charles was almost certainly developed from the land spaniels of the fourteenth century, which may have come from Spain. The Stuarts were besotted with them and named them ‘King Charles’. An ideal family companion. With its friendly character, this dog is a joy to own.