CONFORMATION and BREEDING
CONFORMATION 
The purpose of a dog show is to exhibit and identify those animals that most closely meet the breed standard and thus are most worthy of consideration for breeding For more information on the point system for the dog to be awarded the title of Champion go to: WWW.AKC.ORG
For additional information on dog shows and their premiums check out these websites:
www.infodog.com www.raudogshows.com
BREEDING
The success and welfare of the Westie rests on sound breeding practices. Learning to evaluate your Westie and selecting a mate is the best way to maintain and protect the breed. Placement of Westies into good homes is a critical part of the breeding. Breeding is not for beginners. It is as hard to do well as it is easy to do poorly. Until you can satisfy the requirements that the Serious Hobby Breeder should meet, as presented in "Acquiring a West Highland White Terrier, Choosing a Reputable Breeder", you will be doing the breed an injustice if you have a litter of puppies.
PUPPY VACCINE PROTOCOL
Dr. Jean Dodd has studied vaccines for years and speaks all over the world. Some breeders do not give the optional 16-18 wk 3rd vaccine for puppies. Most do a titer test on puppies at 20 weeks to confirm the
have the antibodies for Parvo and Distemper. This is done to avoid over vaccination. Never give big 8 way or 5 way shots. Check with your vet to see if you have lepto in your area and if you should vaccinate for that. Every year in November take the to your Vetenarian for a titer test. Usually no vaccine is needed since their last puppy shot at 14 weeks. Go to the website:
www.doglogic.com/vaccines or just google vaccines Dr. Jean Dodds. That website has much more documentation.
CANINE VACCINATION PROTOCOL - 2005
MINIMAL VACCINE USE
Note: The following vaccine protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal
vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one I recommend and
should not interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a
veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It's a matter of professional
judgment and choice.
AGE OF PUP VACCINE TYPE
9 - 10 weeks Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy DPV)
14 weeks Same as above
16 -18 weeks (optional) Same as above
20 weeks or older, if allowable by law Rabies
1 year Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
1 year Rabies, killed 3-year product (give 3-4 weeks apart from distemper/parvovirus booster)
Perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus annually
thereafter. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where
circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request.
Titers
ONLY a vet may submit blood for the titers. Antech Lab, NYC 1-800 872 -1001 (who does our Combo Titers), and also through Hemopet who will also do the Rabies titer . They titer for Distemper, Parvo, Corona. Lepto titers are not diagnostic yet (in other words they can titer for it, but haven't developed a proven Titer for Lepto yet), so if you have Lepto in the area, you should get the vaccine if your vet suggests. Some small dogs react to Lepto vaccines.....so many recommend not to vaccinate unless you have to.
SPAY/NEUTER
The basic disposition and temperament of your dog will not be changed by removing his or her reproductive capability. Neither neutering nor spaying will by itself turn your Westie into an obese, lazy animal ... that is the result of excess food and insufficient exercise.
Benefits of spaying include not having to worry about accidental breedings, the stress and inconvenience of confining the bitch in season, risky "mismating shots", and unwanted puppies. The spayed bitch will not develop uterine infections or tumors of the reproductive system as do so many older unspayed bitches.
Neutering a male can make him more tolerant of other males. Neutered males will not be stressed and upset by the scent of bitches in season, and are less tempted to escape or wander or be distracted from their family and work. The neutered male will not develop testicular cancer, and the risk of prostate cancer is lowered.
Some veterinarians like to do the spaying or neutering at a fairly young age (five or six months). The procedures and anesthesia have improved over the years so that is now safe to have the surgery performed at this young age.
The American Kennel Club permits spayed or neutered animals to participate in all phases of obedience, tracking, earthdog, agility and junior handling, but not in most conformation classes.
