Westiepoo Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

9-15 kg

Height

28-43 cm

Lifespan

13-15 years

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About the Westiepoo

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Finding the perfect family pet can be a challenging task, especially if you are trying to narrow down dog breeds.

Our extensive range of dog breed guides helps you with all the information you need to make an educated decision. Whether you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog that suits homes with people that suffer from allergies, an energetic dog to take out hiking, or a guard dog to alert you of people on your property, please take a look at our guides for all the details.

Our Westiepoo mixed breed dog guide will provide all the details you need to know about this beautiful, friendly designer dog breed.

What is the history & origin of the Westiepoo?

The history of the Westiepoo isn’t completely clear, but it is thought they were originally bred in the USA at the start of the 70s.

Though the mixed-breed dog is not accepted in the American Kennel Club, it is recognised by the American Canine Hybrid Club and Designer Dogs Kennel Club.

What is a Westiepoo breed?

The Westiepoo breed is a mix of the West Highland White Terrier and Poodle. West Highland White Terriers were originally bred to hunt vermin, whereas the Poodle was a popular hunting dog with a waterproof coat that made it ideal for retrieving ducks.

They are most commonly bred with white or cream coats, but they can also be bred in tan and black. The coats tend to be wavy and don’t shed much, making them a popular choice.

They are instantly recognisable for their cute appearance and friendly disposition. The Westiepoo is also known as a Wee-Poo or Westiedoodle.

Who is a Westiepoo best for?

Westiepoos are great family pets, but they are better suited to families with kids that are slightly older than toddler age.

They are intelligent dogs like their parent breeds, and this makes it easier to train them. Because they are small, friendly, and easy to train, they can be great dogs for first-time owners.

Westiepoo Grooming & Shedding

Westiepoos are relatively easy to care for, and they don’t shed much. Brushing your dog’s hair twice a week should be sufficient, and bathing them every four to six weeks is usually enough to keep them in good condition.

Regularly trimming nails, brushing your dogs’ teeth, and cleaning their ears are also essential.

Do Westiepoos bark a lot?

Westipoos are not known for being vocal. This and the fact they are a relatively small dog makes them perfect for apartment living. All dogs will bark at some point, but training and socialising them from an early age will help to minimise this.

What is the average weight & height of a Westiepoo dog?

Westiepoos are small dogs that tend to weigh between 9 and 15 kilos and can grow to between 28 and 43 cm to the shoulder. If the parent is a miniature poodle, they may be on the smaller side.

Are Westiepoos easy to train?

Westiepoos respond well to reward-based training. Obedience training and socialisation from a young age are essential, as is the case for their parent, the West Highland White Terrier. The breed has a natural prey drive, so ensuring you have control of the dog and can recall it is important.

How do Westiepoos behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Westiepoo breed is known to be an intelligent, loving, and sociable breed that loves to spend time and build bonds with human companions.

They can do well in homes with kids and other pets as long as they are socialised from a young age.

Does the Westiepoo have any common health issues?

The Westiepoo is considered as being a healthy dog, but there are still some conditions it is more likely to suffer from. These include:

Epilepsy – Epilepsy in dogs is a condition that can cause seizures. There is no cure, but medication is available to help manage the condition.
Atrophy – Muscular atrophy is when the dog’s muscles begin to waste away or weaken. If this has not been caused by a specific condition, a change of diet and exercise can help.
Hip Dysplasia – Hip Dysplasia is one of the most common conditions that can affect dogs. It is caused by growth abnormalities in the bone and hip socket, which means they don’t fit as they should. This condition can be rectified thanks to corrective surgery.
Loss of Teeth – Poodles suffer from dental disease more than any other breed. If you have a Poodle or Poodle mix breed, regularly brushing their teeth and going for checkups is advised.
Patellar Luxation – Patellar Luxation is a condition that affects small breed dogs. It is caused by the knee cap moving, causing pain when the dog walks. This condition can be managed with medication, or corrective surgery may be necessary in more serious cases.
Legg Calvé Perthes Disease – Legg Calvé Perthes Disease concerns the femur bone head’s degeneration and can result in pain and lameness. Surgery can correct the issue, or less severe cases can be managed with physiotherapy and pain relief.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – This is a hereditary condition that causes the dogs’ retina to deteriorate, leading to blindness. Dogs that suffer from this should not be bred, underlining the importance of finding reputable breeders that screen for this kind of condition.
Mitral Valve Disease – Mitral Valve Disease affects the heart’s valves and can cause them to deteriorate. Some medications can slow the condition.

What is the lifespan of a Westiepoo?

The average lifespan of a Westipoo is an impressive 13 to 15 years. The lifespan of your dog will be affected by its bloodline and risk of hereditary diseases, its diet, and lifestyle.

Ensuring your dog gets a balanced diet and regular walks can make a big difference to its overall health.

Regular vet checkups are a great way to ensure your dog is healthy and will give the vet every opportunity to diagnose potential health problems and resolve them.

How much does a Westiepoo need to be fed?

Because the Westiepoo and other Poodles mixes are prone to dental issues, high-quality dry dog food is a good option. You should expect your dog to eat between 1.5 and 2.5 cups per day over two meals.

Speaking to the breeder will help you find a food that provides the growing dog with all the nutrients needed to promote growth and allow the dog to develop.

Regular checks and monitoring from your vet will allow them to help you plan your dog’s diet as it grows.

How much can you expect to pay for a Westiepoo in Australia?

Westiepoo puppies will vary in price depending on the breeder and the breeding dogs used to produce the litter. You might find cheaper puppies listed, but finding a reputable breeder is by far the most critical aspect of buying a new dog.

Reputable breeders will ensure every measure is taken to minimise the risk of hereditary conditions being passed down to the puppy. The dogs in their care will also have an excellent quality of life.

Westiepoo FAQs

Is a Westiepoo ideal for a first-time dog owner?

When it comes to finding a good dog for a first-time owner, mixed-breed dogs can often be a good choice. This is because they will be bred to have the best traits of the parent dogs.

Westiepoo’s make great first-time dogs because they have a friendly, affectionate nature, they are small and easier to control than large breed dogs, and they are highly intelligent.

An intelligent dog will be able to pick up training much more easily than other breeds. Training any dog from a young age is essential, especially if you have a young family or other pets.

Do Westiepoos suffer from separation anxiety?

Because of their social and affectionate nature, the Westipoo can suffer from separation anxiety. The problem is common in most dog breeds but can be managed by training the dogs as soon as you get them.

Other techniques that can help reduce separation anxiety include exercising the dog before you go out. Tiring the dog out and ensuring it does not have pent up energy before you leave can be a great way to make sure the dog is more relaxed when you are away.

As well as exercising your dog before you leave, ensuring the dog has toys to keep it mentally stimulated can also help. This should minimise the risk of destructive behaviours like chewing on shoes or furniture while you are away.

Are Westiepoos hypoallergenic dogs?

The Westiepoo is considered to be a hypoallergenic breed because it does not shed much. You can also brush your dog regularly to minimise hair around the home.

Will a Westiepoo need professional grooming?

Westiepoos are generally pretty easy to groom compared to other dogs. Regular brushing and bathing will help to keep your dog’s coat in good condition, and you should also trim the nails, brush its teeth, and check and clean its ears.

Some people might want to take their dog to a professional groomer to keep their hair trimmed, but this is a personal preference and not a necessity.