The West of Argyll is a small-sized hybrid dog breed. This dog is lively and self-confident but a bit stubborn at times.
To train this dog, you will need to be skilled and patient.
This article will go through different aspects of the West of Argyll terrier, such as its size, origins, history, etc.
West of Argyll Terrier’s History
The West of Argyll Terrier is a mix of the Beagle and the West Highland white terrier. Since the West of Argyll Terrier is a hybrid, its origins are unknown.
On the other hand, the West Highland white terrier originated in Scotland in the 1700s. The dog was bred to hunt small animals such as foxes, rats, badgers, and otters.
The West Highland white terrier, also known as ‘Westie,’ is a relative of the Skye terrier, Cairns terrier, Scottish terrier, and Dandie Dinmont terrier.
In 1908, the AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized the West Highland white terrier as an official dog breed.
The Beagle’s history is unclear; dogs similar to Beagles were mentioned in 400 BC Greek documents.
Experts also believe that Beagles are relatives of Small Hunting Hounds that the Romans bought to England and crossed with the English Hounds.
The Beagle is also thought to descend from the now extinct Talbot Hound, which made its way to England in 1066. The AKC recognized the Beagle as a dog breed in 1885.
West of Argyll Terrier Characteristics
The West of Argyll Terrier is small, barely weighing more than 25 pounds. The dog is a blend of both its parents; it has a button-like nose and long ears inherited from the Beagle.
The dog has muscular legs, a double-coated fur with a soft undercoat, and a rough outer coat.
The thick fur of the West of Argyll Terrier demands regular maintenance, and the medium-length mustache gives the dog a beautiful appearance.
The eyes are big and brown-colored, whereas the nose is black, round, and wide.
How Big Can A West of Argyll Terrier Get?
The average weight of a West of Argyll Terrier is:
- Male: 15 to 22 Pounds (7 to 10 Kg)
- Female: 13 to 16 Pounds (6 to 7 Kg)
The average height of the dog is:
- Male: 14 to 16 inches (36 to 41 cm)
- Female: 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm)
How Long Can A West of Argyll Terrier Live?
The typical lifespan of a West of Argyll Terrier is 12 to 15 years.
How Much Does A West of Argyll Terrier Cost?
The average cost of a West of Argyll puppy is $ 500 to 800.
West of Argyll Terrier Personality/Temperament
While the West of Argyll Terrier is a small-sized dog, it has a big personality.
However, the dog has a stubborn attitude, is willful, cheeky, bold, loving, and naughty, and gets easily distracted. If you train the dog properly, it can become family-friendly.
An average dog owner knows how to distract the canine from bad behavior, so he will be a good pet as long as the dog is obedient.
The dogs that have the best personality and temperament are socialized at a young age.
You also need to remember that the West of Argyll Terrier gets bored easily, so you should always keep it busy.
West of Argyll Terrier’s Nutrition
The West of Argyll requires at least ½ to 1.5 cups of quality dry dog food daily. However, if you are out of dry dog food, you can also feed the dog Canidae dog food and Nature’s Recipe dog food.
Please keep an eye on the quantity as overeating can cause obesity in dogs. The best thing to do is divide the food into several meals and feed them to the dog throughout the day.
How Do You Groom A West of Argyll Terrier?
While the West of Argyll Terrier is a wiry-textured coat, it sometimes sheds the coat. To ensure that the coat remains in tip-top condition, you will need to brush it two to three times a week with a dog brush.
The brushing will shift the shed hair, evenly distribute the oils and remove tangles from the coat. You should also brush the dog’s teeth with Toothbrushes for dogs every week to prevent them from infection.
Activity Levels of the West of Argyll Terrier
Since the West of Argyll Terrier is a small-sized dog breed, it has low physical activity requirements. The dog is prone to gaining weight, so you should at least give him a 30-minute walk daily.
You also allow the dog to run leash-free in a fenced area or play games with him. Try to keep a plastic pool at home, as the West of Argyll Terrier loves to swim.
A trip to the lake or the beach is not a bad idea. However, this canine doesn’t do well in cold weather and is more suited for warm weather. The West of Argyll Terrier can comfortably live in an apartment, but you will still need to let him out daily.
Health Concerns for West of Argyll Terrier
Generally, the West of Argyll Terrier is a healthy dog breed and lives a long life. However, you should still be aware of a few health concerns:
- Legg-Calves-Perthes
- Slip Discs
- Dry Eye
Legg-Calves-Perthes
This is a deformity in the hip joint. The condition causes a decrease in the blood supply to the femur bone until the bone becomes deformed and collapses.
This condition can lead to inflammation or arthritis of the hip joint. The reasons why Legg-Calves-Perthes occurs are still unclear.
Slip Discs
The Beagle is prone to this condition. Slip discs are excruciatingly painful for dogs and can even cause nerve damage. In some cases, strict rest and pain relief is needed.
However, if the dog is showing signs of numbness, he needs to be evaluated by a vet. Usually, surgery removes the injured disc and stops it from pressing against the spine.
Dry Eye
The West of Argyll Terrier has inherited this condition from the Westie. A dry eye is a condition in which there is a lack of tear production in the eyes.
This leads to itchy eyes. If left untreated, dry eyes can be distressful for the dog.
Breeds Similar To a West of Argyll Terrier
Best Dog Food for West of Argyll Terriers
The best dog food for West of Argyll Terrier is Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food. This dog food has been crafted with chicken meal and barley to fulfill the protein needs of your little canine. It promotes a healthy weight and provides a better lifestyle.
- Equipped antioxidants and vitamins to provide healthier immunity.
- Free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
- DHA in the recipe improves learning ability, vision, and cognition.
Best Puppy Food for West of Argyll Terriers
The best puppy food for West of Argyll Terrier is Purina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food. This Purina Pro puppy food includes rice and chicken in the recipe to ensure better nourishment for your pup.
- Provides better immunity and digestion with added probiotics and antioxidants.
- Develops brain and eyes with DHA.
- Crafted without any flavors and colors.
Best Dog Crate for West of Argyll Terriers
The best dog crate for West of Argyll Terrier is MidWest iCrate Fold & Carry Single Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate. This crate has strong and sturdy wires that make it secure for your pal.
- Offers higher convenience due to fold-and-carry design.
- A composite plastic pan makes it easy to clean.
- Use a divider panel to adjust the size.
Best Dog Bed for West of Argyll Terriers
The best dog bed for West of Argyll Terrier is Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Shag Fur Donut Cuddler Cat & Dog Bed. This bed has a donut shape to provide a protective environment for your dog.
- Relives from muscle and joints pain.
- Safe in machine and dryer.
- Provides good headrest through raised edges.
Best Dog Harness for West of Argyll Terriers
The best dog harness for West of Argyll Terrier is Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness. This harness is manufactured with breathable and soft mesh fabric that delivers maximum comfort.
- Supports leash attachment with 2D rings.
- Snap-in buckles make it more secure.
- Easy operation due to step-in style.
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