As our many regular readers will be familiar with, in our Wagging Tails section we cover a different breed in every edition and with Crufts 2016 having taken place recently we decided this month to cover the winning breed.Crufts annual event attracts thousands of visitors to the show, with millions of viewers watching on TV and online around the world, as four legged contestants showcase their stunning good looks and gleaming coat, or entertain with their skills on the agility course. On the last day of the four -day event is an exciting end to the show as one dog is awarded the Best in Show.
This year’s Best in Show award went to Devon the striking West Highland Terrier. This is only the third time in the history of Crufts, now in its 125th year, that a Westie has won the accolade. The first Westie was in 1976 and the second in 1990 but both were male, so Devon is the first ever Westie female to win. I got the chance to speak to Devon’s owner Marie Burns about the win and of course about Devon herself!
Marie, from County Durham has been showing Westies for 25 years, and Devon is her 9th champion, albeit her first to win the ‘big one’! I asked her if she knew Devon was in with a chance of winning. Marie replied “Only around 88 people in the history of Crufts have taken home the trophy of Best in Show, so you never think you will win – it’s like winning the lottery.
You never like to say anything about the dogs when they are puppies in case they don’t turn out as you imagined but I have to admit, when Devon was around 8-9 weeks old I was so taken by the quality of her that I did tell a friend ‘this might be the nicest Westie I have ever bred’.”
Devon may be a ‘champion pedigree’ but she is also a true family pet. She does not live in kennel quarters but lives inside the home with Marie and the rest of the family. Marie told me “she lives an ordinary pet life, she is an independent little dog, funny and fun to be around. And in fact Devon is quite the tomboy – she loves to get dirty! She is brushed every day and has her legs washed down if she is particularly dirty but the only way she is treated any differently to other pets is that I groom her every 2-3 weeks rather than the standard 8-12 weeks. This is just to keep her coat healthy and in tip top condition.”
Devon appears to be taking the win in her stride, although she did thoroughly enjoy the treat of a chicken and liver dinner that she got for winning! As a Westie breeder and professional groomer, Marie has some advice to offer our readers who may be considering owning a Westie; “They are a big dog in a small body – they are lovely natured and should be bold and outgoing with no aggression. Start training early as you mean to go on and you should have a lovely dog for the rest of its days. They do need to be brushed daily as this keeps their skin and coat healthy, and they should also have their eyes wiped etc. A Westie should be professionally groomed every 8-12 weeks. Overall, they are a fantastic little dog.”
Everybody here at the Yorkshire Reporter would like to congratulate Marie and Devon on their well-deserved win!
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History: West Highland White Terriers affectionately known as Westies were bred to hunt otters, foxes and vermin. Records show that James I, King of England in the 1620’s requested some ‘little white earth dogges’ out of Argyllshire in Scotland and these were possibly early Westie type dogs. It is also reported in many history articles, although evidence is still under research that Col Malcolm of Poltalloch, Argyllshire, accidentally shot and killed his favourite terrier (a dark coloured one) and vowed from then on only to have white dogs. He may have been the originator of the Highland Terrier but at that time they were called Poltalloch Terriers. The Duke of Argyll’s estate at Dunbartonshire was called Roseneath and in the 19th century, Westie type dogs were known as Roseneath Terriers in honour of his patronage and interest. The West Highland White, as we know it today was first registered with the Kennel Club in 1906.
Class: Terrier
Height: Approximately 28 cms (11 ins) at withers.
Weight: 7 – 10kg (15 – 22lbs)
Lifespan: 12 – 16 yrs
Coat: A pure white double coated dog which has a coarser longer top coat with a soft and thick undercoat.
Health: Generally a healthy dog. Like any other breed Westies can suffer with a variety of health issues and it is therefore recommended to always buy from reputable breeders. Some Westies are prone to skin problems.
Temperament And Exercise: One of the most popular of the terrier breeds, the West Highland White has a cheerful, outgoing personality. He is full of fun and virtually tireless. Being a terrier he does have a prey drive and will chase small animals. Living with the family cat is usually fine if time is spent to socialise from a puppy. He is always ready for a walk up to 1 hour a day come snow or shine, and is small enough to pick up and take anywhere.
