West Highland White Terrier Puppy Checklist

Before Puppy Comes Home

Westie Puppy Prep: Insurance First, WPF Awareness Second

Two health-related preparations matter more than any equipment purchase before a Westie arrives home: enrolling in pet insurance before the first vet visit, and learning the warning signs of Westie Pulmonary Fibrosis. The first is financially critical (atopic dermatitis is likely; WPF may develop in middle age). The second could mean earlier diagnosis and better quality of life for the dog.

Westie Pulmonary Fibrosis (WPF) — Know These Signs

WPF is a progressive, fatal lung disease that typically presents in middle-aged to older Westies. There is no cure, but earlier diagnosis allows better supportive management. Signs to watch for:

• Exercise intolerance — tires more quickly than expected, reluctant to walk distances the dog previously managed easily
• Coughing after activity or at rest
• Labored breathing — visible chest effort at rest
• Crackling lung sounds (a vet finding, not owner-observable without equipment)

If you notice any of these signs, see your vet promptly and specifically mention Westie Pulmonary Fibrosis. Diagnosis requires chest imaging.

Essential Gear Checklist

• Small crate (24-inch with divider)
• Dog bed
• Stainless steel food and water bowls
• Flat collar + ID tag
• Harness for walks
• 4–6 ft leash
• Pin brush or slicker brush
• Wide-tooth steel comb
• Dog-safe shampoo (whitening formula optional)
• High-value training treats
• Enzymatic cleaner
• First professional grooming appointment booked for approximately 6–8 weeks

First Week Setup

First Vet Visit: Insurance, Skin Baseline, WPF Awareness

First Vet Visit (Within 48–72 Hours)

• Full physical exam
• Vaccine schedule continuation and parasite prevention
• Enroll in pet insurance before this appointment — this is time-critical. Any condition documented at this visit becomes a pre-existing condition. Insurance before the first appointment covers everything that comes after.
• Discuss atopic dermatitis monitoring with your vet — ask them to establish a baseline skin assessment and explain what early signs look like for this breed
• Mention WPF to your vet and confirm they're aware of the breed's pulmonary disease risk — document this in the dog's medical record for future reference
• Ask about CMO (Craniomandibular Osteopathy) and what signs to watch for in a puppy 3–8 months old
• Microchip if not done by breeder

Grooming Habits Start Now

The white double coat looks low-maintenance but needs weekly brushing and professional appointments every 6–8 weeks. Building the dog's tolerance for grooming in puppyhood is significantly easier than managing an adult that resists handling.

• Start brushing from day one — short sessions (3–5 minutes) with treat rewards
• Touch paws, ears, and mouth daily to prepare for nail trims, ear checks, and dental care
• Book the first professional grooming appointment for 6–8 weeks after arrival to introduce the dog to the process early

Training and Socialization

Training a Confident Small Terrier

Socialization Window (8–16 Weeks)

Westies are confident and curious by nature — the socialization window is about ensuring that confidence is applied positively across a wide range of experiences:

• Introduce to diverse people types in positive, treat-paired contexts
• Expose to urban environments, vehicles, different surfaces and sounds
• Introduce to friendly, vaccinated dogs in safe settings — puppy class is ideal
• Introduce to other animals carefully if you have cats or small pets — the terrier prey drive is real and needs early management

Priority Training Commands

• Sit and Stay: Foundation commands — establish immediately
• Leave it: Critical for a terrier with prey drive — practice regularly
• Come: Recall training should be consistent from puppyhood — Westies will chase, and reliable recall in low-distraction environments is achievable; off-leash in open areas near wildlife is not
• Loose-leash walking: Westies are surprisingly strong for their size — address pulling from the first walk

Small Dog Ground Rules

Westies are sturdy small dogs, but certain habits matter more at their size:

• No jumping on furniture without invitation — establish this from the start if it's a preference
• No resource guarding allowed — address any food or toy guarding behavior immediately with professional guidance; this is easier to correct in a puppy than an adult
• Terrier stubbornness is real — keep training sessions short (5–8 minutes), engaging, and positive. Drilling produces the terrier stonewall.