The Westie Staff is a hybrid dog breed and is extremely caring and loving. However, this dog also has hunting traits derived from its parents.
But who are the parent breeds of the Westie Staff? We will discuss all that and more in this article.
Westie Staff’s History
The Westie Staff is a designer dog, so we are unaware of its history or origins. However, the dog is a mix of two terrier breeds:
The American Staffordshire terrier was used for fighting with different animals in the 1800s. The breed is a relative of the Bulldog, English terrier, and Fox terrier.
Initially, the American Staffordshire terrier was confused with the Yankees terrier and Pitbulls, but in 1972, the breed was given its name.
When bull-baiting and dog fighting became illegal, the dog was used for companionship and as a pet.
In 1936, the AKC (American Kennel Club) officially recognized the American Staffordshire terrier.
The West Highland white terrier hails from Scotland and was developed in the 1700s. The dog was bred to be a hunter, efficient at killing aggressive animals such as foxes, otters, and badgers.
Today, the dog is kept as a pet. The breed was recognized by the EKC (English Kennel Club) in 1906 and the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1908.
The West Highland white terrier is the 41st most popular breed in the United States.
Westie Staff Characteristics
The Westie Staff has a muscular and strong build like the American Staffordshire terrier and derives athletic stature from the West Highland white terrier.
Usually, the Westie Staff doesn’t weigh more than 40 pounds and has a cute fuzzy coat. They come in different colors, but white is the dominant color.
Usually, the white color is mixed with speckled, mere, lemon, blue-gray, black, brindle, beige, orange, and chocolate. The thick, medium-length fur gives the dog a stuffed animal-like appearance.
The Westie Staff has a squared muzzle, a black-colored nose, large brown-colored eyes, and an intelligent and alert expression.
How Big Can A Westie Staff Get?
The average weight of a Westie Staff is:
- Male: 30 to 60 Pounds (13 to 27 Kg)
- Female: 25 to 55 Pounds (11 to 25 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 Westie Staff Live?
The average lifespan of the Westie Staff is 12 to 15 years.
How Much Does A Westie Staff Cost?
The Westie Staff is an expensive dog breed, with a puppy usually costing $ 800 to 1000.
Westie Staff Personality/Temperament
Both the West Highland white terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier are courageous and bold dogs that can be belligerent and headstrong and lovable and sweet.
While these dog breeds are not very outgoing, they will stand up for their owner and themselves.
The Westie Staff can get along with other dog breeds and kids. However, males are easier to get along with kids than females, but proper socialization is required for both genders.
While training the Westie Staff is not hard, it takes patience and time.
Westie Staff’s Nutrition
Typically, the Westie Staff needs 2 to 3 cups of dry dog food daily. However, you can also feed the dog Instinct dog food and American Journey dog food.
Please divide the food into several portions, and watch the quantity, as overeating can lead to obesity in dogs.
How Do You Groom A Westie Staff?
You will need to brush the Westie Staff’s coat daily with a dog brush to keep it healthy and clean. While most owners use a bristle brush, you can also use a slicker brush or rubber curry mitt.
The Westie Staff doesn’t shed often, but regular brushing will decrease shedding.
You can bathe the dog in a dog bathtub once a month and clean the ears and teeth every week to prevent infections and plaque buildup. When necessary, trim the dog’s toenails with a Nail clipper for dogs.
Activity Levels of the Westie Staff
You must let your dog exercise daily to prevent anxiety, boredom, and obesity. Since both the West Staff’s parent breeds were hunting and working breeds, it requires at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
However, the Westie Staff has a high prey drive, so you should always let him out in a fenced area; otherwise, he will constantly chase small animals. The dog also likes chewing and digging, so ensure you give him a place where he can do these activities.
You should always supervise the dog while outside playing so that it doesn’t escape the fenced area. Other activities that you can try with the Westie Staff are:
- Agility Training
- Walks
- Fetching
- Hiking
- Swimming
Health Concerns for Westie Staff
The Westie Staff is usually a healthy dog breed and lives a long life. However, he is not immune to falling sick. These are the health concerns you should be wary of:
- Legg-Calves-Perthes
- Copper Hepatopathy
- Heart Diseases
- Cataracts
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.
Copper Hepatopathy
Copper Hepatopathy is a health condition in dogs caused by abnormal copper accumulation in the liver. This leads to scarring of Cirrhosis and progressive damage to the liver.
This condition can occur due to genetic-based abnormal copper metabolism.
Valvular Heart Disease
Valvular heart disease is a heart condition in dogs caused by the thickening and breaking down of the heart’s valves. To understand the effects of this condition, the doctor will assess the dog’s heart.
Cataracts
Cataracts are found in dogs when the lens in the eyes becomes clouded. This is caused by an imbalance of the water levels in the eyes or an imbalance in eye proteins.
When the lens becomes clouded, the light cannot reach it, resulting in total blindness.
Breeds Similar To a Westie Staff
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier
- Afghan Hound
- Frenchie-Pei
- Munsterlander
- Keeshond
Best Dog Food for Westie Staffs
The best dog food for Westie Staff is Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Turkey & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food. This Wellness dog food contains oatmeal and turkey as the main ingredients in the recipe. It does not include items such as fillers, by-product meals, artificial preservatives, and by-product meals.
- Equipped with taurine, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, antioxidants, and probiotics.
- The protein-rich formula makes muscles stronger.
- Easy to eat and digest due to kibble size.
Best Puppy Food for Westie Staffs
The best puppy food for Westie Staff is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food. This puppy food has oatmeal and chicken in it. It has been formulated to provides a healthy lifestyle to your pup.
- Makes coat and skin better with omega fatty acids 3 and 6.
- Contains ARA and DHA to enhance vision and cognition.
- Provides stronger teeth and bones through calcium and phosphorus.
Best Dog Crate for Westie Staffs
The best dog crate for Westie Staff is Lucky Dog Sliding Double Door Wire Dog Crate. This Lucky Dig crate offers higher security with its strong wires. It has a sliding door system that saves your pal from bumps and bruises.
- Comes with a cornering stabilizer to reduce rattling and collapsing.
- Coated and reinforced wires make them resistant to rust.
- Features a leak-proof pan for easy cleaning.
Best Dog Bed for Westie Staffs
The best dog bed for Westie Staff is Best Friends by Sheri Calming Lux Fur Donut Cuddler Bolster Cat & Dog Bed. This dog bed has a round donut shape which makes it highly protective, secure, and comfortable for your canine to sleep.
- Made of non-toxic material.
- Prevents accidents with dirt and water-resistant bottom.
- Safe in dryer and machine.
Best Dog Harness for Westie Staffs
The best dog harness for Westie Staff is Blueberry Pet Classic Solid Nylon Step In Back Clip Dog Harness. This dog harness is made of superior quality nylon material that provides ultimate strength and higher durability.
- Get comfortable fitting with adjustable straps.
- Machine washable material.
- Provides leash attachment through D rings.
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