How many years do westies live

Change their diet to something that is easy to chew and digest. Stiff joints are another problem Westies tend to encounter. As they get older, you need to make sure that they have a strong bone structure and exercise is key to that. Osteoarthritis is a possibility in older dogs and it can be avoided with moderate workout sessions.

Make sure their food includes ingredients that will strengthen their joints and bones in general. If they are already experiencing pain stiffness talk to your vet about mild medication to ease the pain. One of the things about old age is that dogs tend to become less active. They spend a lot of time relaxing, which is great. But it also means they might gain or lose weight. If your Westie is losing weight, it might be time to switch to senior dog food.

Hard kibble goes out the window and soft food becomes preferable. Notice their needs and maybe get some canned food or raw food that suits their requirements. Taking care of their fur is also crucial. Make sure they are sleeping inside when the weather changes.

Their coat must be combed and shaped every three months or so. When it comes to shaping, clipping is a better option. A lot of dogs have the same routine for a long time. They sleep in the same place and have the same toys.

Their exercise routine also remains pretty much unchanged for a long time. They are used to the same people and nothing is wrong with that.

But if there is a big change in any of these areas of interest, your dog will find it difficult to cope as they grow old. This is true even for those times when you leave them at a kennel when you are on a vacation. One of the ways in which that can be handled is to get another pet to keep them company. But talk to a specialist before deciding on the course of action because these dogs can be very stubborn.

No matter the age of a dog, regular visits to the vet is always a good idea. It is a great opportunity to get to know the anatomy of your pet and make changes that suit their lifestyle. You also get to diagnose impending problems before they get worse.

But as they grow old, it is a good idea to delve deeper and let the vet analyze their stool and blood samples so that you are on top of their healthcare needs. Senior dogs also have trouble dealing with injuries just like humans or any other beings. Nobody knows where the seven dog years to one human year theory came from or at least no-one is claiming responsibility for it. It first appeared in maths text books in the s and questions were set asking children to calculate the age of a dog using the ratio.

For the dog species as a whole it's not a bad estimate at all. If you factor in the varying rates of ageing in early part of a dog's life and the differing life expectancies a more accurate estimate across all breeds would be six dogs years to one human year. However if you look at opposing ends of the spectrum a Bulldog will age an average of 13 years per human year whereas for a Miniature Dachshund it's just over four years.

And Meg, my Westie? She was not but when she passed away, the calculator suggests - ancient in human terms, but not unheard of. I think she'd have settled for that. Here is a selection of longevity secrets of readers' pets who lived past 'dog years'.

You can follow the Magazine on Twitter and on Facebook. Image source, Thinkstock. No human is known to have lived beyond Westies also need to be watched around other dogs. They can be overaggressive, and will not hesitate to take on dogs several times their size. In fact, they may be especially confrontational with bigger dogs.

The typical West Highland White Terrier lives about years. Of course, individual dogs can have a life span outside that range based on care and pure luck. Like all dog breeds, Westies are prone to certain diseases, disorders, and behavioral problems. Some of the more common problems include allergies and other skin problems, hip problems, knee problems, and chronic hernias.

A jaw problem known as craniomandibular osteopathy is also seen more often in Westies than in any other breed. It can cause pain and make it difficult for a young Westie to eat. So-called designer dog breeds have become increasingly popular in recent years, with people mixing purebred dogs of two different breeds to produce a unique combination.

Here are the most popular Westie mixes, along with their cutesy designer dog breed names. The West Highland White Terrier is well-known among dog people, especially terrier lovers.

Here are some interesting facts that any Westie owner should know. The Westie is a descendant of the vermin-hunting terriers of Scotland. Those so-called earthdogs came in a variety of colors, but white coloration was often seen as an undesirable trait.