NOT SO WHITE WESTIe?

Question

I have a 2 year old westie and bath her regually ,but she never staye white for very long anyone have anysuggestions? she doesnt go on walks in dirty places .

Answer 1

this is the problem with white dogs. They dont stay white! dont bath her too often..this will strip her coat of natural oils which help protect her fur. If you really ant to clean her up, you can try neat bi-carb of soda...leave it for half hour then brush it out. This makes the coat shine white. Al ternatively, if the dog may be sensitive, you can buy whitening shampoos for dogs now. Thought about maybe buying a dog coat or little jumper if its that frustrating? dogs will get dirty, no matter how clean you try and keep them...its normal.

Answer 2

You might want to have your vet have a look as well. My brother had a Westie that always seemed so dirty but it was actually her skin that was causing it by sloughing off so the coat appeared grey and oily. My vet said that it was quite common in Westies. My personal opinion would be to change his diet to something a bit more holistic if he isn't already to see if it helps his skin if this is indeed what is going on.

Answer 3

It's the westie breed. Like someone said before, dirt is drawn to them. They are curious dogs by nature and the areas they tend to explore the most seem to always include dirt or dust. I don't think Westie's like to stay clean, mine would roll in mud right after a bath, if she could. Westie's also have a tendency to get a yellowish tint to their coat, but I think this happens more so as they get older. Another common thing with westie's is that they will get brownish-red stains on their feet and mouth. Mine gets it quite a bit on her feet from licking. Somehow when the saliva discolors the hair and it's more prevelant in white dogs, like westie's with longer hair. If the stain is at the root, it could be a sign of an infection.

It's seems like the best way to keep your westie white the longest is to take him/her to a groomer. Ours went to a groomer about 2 weeks ago and is still white. I think they have professional grade, strong shampoo they use or something. Something stonger than what is available to normal pet owners. When we wash her at home, she won't stay as white as when we take her to a groomer, but we found the best stuff to be Veterinary Formula - Snow White Shampoo from Petco, you should be able to get it at any pet supply store.

Answer 4

I have a 3 yr old Jack Russell x Westie who is pure white with one brown ear! I use a shampoo specially for white dogs (I live in Spain but you must be able to buy it in UK) it smell lovely and she is glowing white, loads of people with white dogs stop me and ask me how I get her so white. I recommended the shampoo to a dog walker with two Westies who looked yellow and the next time I saw them they were glowing. Don't bath the dog too often though, I bath mine about once every two months, mainly cos she goes on the beach and gets covered in sand but still manages to look white.

Answer 5

I have discovered that the only way to keep a Westie clean is to wrap het in cotton wool and pop her in a plastic bag. If you want a nice clean dog, don't have a Westie- dirt is drawn to them. I wouldn't have her any other way. (Sometimes its funny to see our Lab role her in mud just after we have bathed her)

Answer 6

Could be the food you are feeding as well. Some dog foods have certain fish oils in them that turn white dogs yellow or brown. I have papillons and have experienced this. They are eating Royal Canin now and do great on it.

Answer 7

all westies do that we laugh at the sate of the pups when they come on our park and go off black buts that a westies life.

Answer 8

Perhaps her natural coat colour is not white.

Answer 9

Who cares? Don't you love her just as much when she is not white?

Answer 10

Are you positive it isn't a Cairn Terrier?