Down
South Westies Monthly Newsletter
What's
New This September!
January
14, 2004
I
just received my t-shirt and I love it…Linda
If
you haven’t checked out our website lately, we have new pictures of our
dogs as well as info about Westie books for you and the kids!
Some
of this information was taken from Richard Beauchamp’s book, Breeding
Dogs For Dummies
This
is no passive pup!
He’s
not shy, just sneaky!
Leader
of the Pack!
In This Issue:
1. The “Characters” In The Litter
2.
Darby Offers Stud Service!
I
wanted to pass along some information about the individual personalities
that can emerge in any given litter.
1.
The “Characters” In The Litter!
Leader
Of The Pack
One pup
in the litter usually declares itself the leader of the pack.
Pack leaders are first at everything.
Even if they don’t get there first they’ll bully their way
through to the top spot. The
leader usually winds up with the best toy and the first in line when you
are about to pick up a pup from the litter.
Leader-type pups may throw themselves headlong into doing what’s
being taught, but there’s just as much chance that the pup can put that
determination into defiance. Leader-type
dogs need leader-type owners!
The
Adventurer
The
adventure lover in the litter puts up with the leader type and stands its
own ground if it has to. This
pup, however, would rather quietly investigate what is going on in its
world. The adventurer wants
to please you, but can be inclined to be a bit independent simply because
it does like to investigate. The
adventurer is usually inclined to be somewhat gregarious and capable to
sharing its affection with all members of the family and is the kind of
dog that would do just as well on the road with a handler as it would
traveling to shows with its owner. You
might think of this pup as a sleeper in that it may not stand out from its
littermates—neither terribly aggressive nor shy.
But in the right hands this pup could be one of those wonderful
dogs that is a joy to own and show and could be one that presents
relatively few problem behaviors.
The
Passive Pup
Don’t
confuse the passive type of puppy with one that is downright shy.
The passive pup is apt to allow its littermates take what they want
and will avoid serious tussles at all costs.
While the passive pup doesn’t run and cower, it would probably be
more happy to walk the proverbial mile to avoid a confrontation.
This pup us usually best at home.
Strange situations like air travel, crowded and noisy
buildings—may not be the passive pup’s cup of tea.
This type of pup does best with a steady, supportive owner who
offers lots of attention and patience.
In the right hands, the more passive pup can be a whiz at learning
because its goal in life is usually to please.
The Shy
One
The shy
one, too, is a problem child but one who comes at the opposite end of the
spectrum from its pack leader littermate.
This puppy seems to react in fear to almost everything, including
littermates who play too rough, loud noises, strange people.
People who do not know what the situation really is are apt to
assume the puppy has been abused when that is not the case at all.
Shy puppies can be born to a litter in which all the other puppies
have absolutely delightful temperaments.
Shy pups show their temperament right from the time their eyes
first open and when they begin to walk around the whelping box.
Their treatment and experiences are no different than those of the
other puppies. Try as you
might, you may never really be able to conquer the puppy’s unfounded
fears. This pup needs a
mature person with no children who understands temperament difficulties
and is still happy to provide a home for the pup. Some shy puppies grow to adulthood as quiet, devoted pets
of elderly or at least mature couples.
While the stability of the pups improves somewhat, new situations,
strange people, or sudden loud noises are a problem through the dog’s
entire life.
The
Suspicious One
Always
be very concerned about any young puppy that was properly socialized like
its littermates and is still suspicious of strangers or openly aggressive
toward littermates or especially people.
At Down
South Westies, we consider the socialization process as very important.
That is why we will not let pups leave until they are 8 weeks old.
You’ll be glad we spent the extra time with them.
Puppies destined for the show ring should go everywhere with you:
the Post Office, along busy streets, to the mall—wherever.
Be prepared to create quite a stir wherever you go.
The public loves puppies of any kind and most are quite taken with
the puppy and will undoubtedly want to pet your pup. There is nothing in the world better for the puppy!
2.
Darby
Offers Stud Service!
Darby is such a beautiful male.
He is a Brookline male with 14 CH in his 5-generation pedigree and
is available for stud. He
meets the Westie standard. He
weighs 15 pounds and is 11 inches at the withers.
He lives in our home and is very loving and easygoing. He has a great temperament and will offer a healthy
addition to any litter. If
you have a female that you want to discuss the possibility of breeding
with Darby, give me a call (601-626-8887) or email me (thomas@downsouthwesties.com).