My Curious West Highland White Terrier, Tyson

by Janet
(NY, NY)

I have a purebred West Highland White Terrier named Tyson. I live on the 6th floor of a condo unit in a suburban area. Every morning my Westie likes to go out and sit on my deck to oversee the parking lot. He will wait until I wake up and we will go out.

When we get back in the condo my Westie is ready for his morning routine. He will pace on the balcony and then jump up in my chair and watch all my neighbors leave for work.

Westie's are very curious dogs, so he doesn't like it when I close the sliding glass door. He prefers to have the screen shut only. He needs to make sure he is not missing out on something that is going on inside my condo.

For the most part he is very quiet on my balcony. But, sometimes he starts barking when there is another dog in the parking lot. This AKC purebred dog loves being outside, so being on my deck is just the tip of the iceberg.

He loves going for walks or even going out to my car just to get something. When we go on walks he has to turn and stare at every animal within view. I believe this is part of his curious nature and I think curiousity is a main part of the Westie personality.

My West Highland doesn't seem phased by the fact that we have to ride an elevator to get outside. He loves it when other dogs and their owners join us on the elevator. Westies are very social dogs. He is happiest when we are around people.

One time the fire alarm in the building went off and we all had to go outside. He was so excited to be around all the people in the building. A perfect day for my Westie would be morning balcony time, a long walk and a fire alarm. I've learned by owning a Westie that this breed is very social and loves to be outside.