West Highland White Terrier puppies

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a West Highland White Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get it socialised before the vaccination course finishes. It will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Craniomandibular osteopathy, also called lion jaw, diagnosed by physical examination and x-ray
• Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, detected by tumour biopsy or the CADET BRAF mutation urine test
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye), diagnosed by clinical eye examination and tear production testing
• Patellar luxation, diagnosed by physical and orthopaedic examination
• Periodontal disease, detected at routine veterinary dental examination and treated by cleaning

From West Highland White Terrier breed information at https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/terrier/west-highland-white-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Your West Highland White Terrier puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a West Highland White Terrier.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 6.8 to 9.1 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Other small breeds

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