What makes Westies so special? Are they really stubborn? What should you know about Westie health, nutrition, behaviour, training and ageing? And why was Westies & Besties created in the first place?
In this special episode of The Westies & Besties Podcast, Alex Griffin steps away from the usual guest format and answers questions submitted by Westie guardians from across the UK and around the world.
From Westie behaviour and training to health, nutrition, gut health, dental care, senior Westies and choosing your first Westie, Alex shares what he has learned through years of living with Westies, researching the breed and building Westies & Besties alongside Kim.
The conversation also explores the story behind Westies & Besties and how one very special Westie, Buffy, became the inspiration behind the UK's only publication dedicated to the West Highland White Terrier.
🐾 The Westies & Besties Podcast brings together leading experts, veterinarians, breeders, behaviourists and passionate Westie owners to help you give your Westie the happiest, healthiest life possible. Subscribe for new episodes.
🐾 Listen. Learn. Stay curious. And give your Westie the best life possible.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to a Special Westies & Besties Q&A Why Alex is answering questions from Westie guardians around the world.
01:00 – What Makes Westies Such Special Dogs? Personality, intelligence, loyalty, independence and the famous “Westitude”.
04:50 – The Fascinating History of the West Highland White Terrier Colonel Malcolm, Clan Malcolm and the Scottish roots of the breed.
06:30 – How Do You Train a Stubborn Westie? Positive reinforcement, consistency, patience and understanding the terrier instinct.
08:40 – Westie Health: What Owners Should Know Skin allergies, digestion, dental health, Westie lung disease, ageing and mobility.
10:30 – Westies, Nutrition & The Gut Microbiome Why gut health, probiotics and prebiotics have become such important topics.
12:00 – Why Was Westies & Besties Created? The story of Buffy and the search for trusted Westie-specific information.
15:00 – From Magazine to Westie Media Network How Westies & Besties has expanded across print, digital, podcast, YouTube and social media.
16:50 – Building a Global Westie Community Why Westies & Besties has grown far beyond the UK.
18:40 – Why Not Just Google Your Westie Question? The importance of trusted, expert-backed and breed-specific information.
21:00 – Caring for a Senior Westie Ageing, mobility, cognitive changes, dental care and supporting older dogs.
23:30 – Are Westies Really Difficult Dogs? Understanding independence, behaviour and what owners can sometimes misunderstand.
25:40 – Thinking About Getting Your First Westie? Breeders, rescues, nutrition, dental care and lessons learned from Buffy.
30:30 – Why Westie Nutrition Matters Conflicting advice, fresh food, raw feeding and the importance of researching your options.
35:15 – How Westies & Besties Chooses Its Topics Listening to Westie owners and finding experts to answer their questions.
40:10 – What Is The Bigger Vision For Westies & Besties? The magazine, website, podcast, YouTube and the future of the Westie community.
42:25 – Is Westies & Besties Becoming A Global Community? Supporting Westie guardians and charities around the world.
