Bichon or Westie?

Question

We love the looks of the Westie (West Highland Terrier), but in the descriptions I read that they MUST be on leash or they may run away. I also read they are not good lap dogs. So I read the Bichon can be trusted off leash and is a great lap dog. I sure like the looks of the Westie better. We have an eitght year old Siberian Husky that is so calm and mild, but can't be trusted off leash. I don't want something like that for a second dog. Is it true Westies can't be trusted off leash? Will they sit on your lap?

Answer 1

NO dog can be trusted off leash without proper training!!!! A friend thought that too. Her Bichon was killed in the road chasing a passing cat!!!!!!!!!!!! Westies are no different! NEVER off leash!!! Even training is not a given!

Answer 2

Bichon Frises may be a better dog.

Bichon Frise
Pros
1. Don't Shed
2. Can be trusted off leash (if trained)
3. Very intelligent, the smarties in the toy group
4. Great lap dog (but dogs do have different personalities)

Cons
1. Must be brushed 3-7 days a week
2. Taken to professional groomer every 2 weeks or so
3. Bathed once a week

Westie
Pros
1. Looks
2. Also smart
3. Can be good lap dogs depending on personality

Cons
1. Can't be trusted off leash
2. May not be good lab dogs depending on personality
3. May dig a lot (they are terriers)
4. Must be brushed 3-7 days a week
5. Taken to professional groomer
6. Bathed quite often to maintain the whiteness of the coat

Answer 3

Bichons were bred as companion dogs, while Westies were bred as ratters. So just on general temperment, Bichons will be the more snuggly of the two. As for off-the-leash behavior, personally, I don't think any dog ever SHOULD be off leash unless in an enclosed space, like a dog park. Even if your dog won't run away, there's always a chance another dog could run up to it and attack it, or it could wander a little too far in the road, or something really fascinating could catch his eye and cause him to bolt after all. That being said, most Bichons do prefer to be with their owner and are not as likely as a terrier to take off running without a leash on. Westies are also slightly more hyper, more likely to become nippy if not trained, and more susceptible to skin and coat problems than Bichons.

Maybe you should continue to research breeds until you find another one you truly like the looks of, that also meets your temperment requirements. Good luck!

Answer 4

It really depends. There are exeptioins within each breed. If trained to do so from a very early age then westies CAN become lap dogs and go off leash. Same is true of a Bichon.

Answer 5

Little dogs are notorious for being crazy off leash. They all make good lap dogs when introduced to the concept at a fairly young age. This applies to all training. Starting a pup, any pup, at a young age (7-9 weeks) is the only way to reach the desired result of having an obedient, loving dog. It is true that you can teach old dogs new tricks, but it takes a lot longer. I puppysit a female westie named bella and she is completely adorable. I ususally dislike little dogs, but she's so full of life. She loves watching tv with me too!! Anyways. Both dogs you have talked about are great. Bichons tend to need more care. And westies seem to be a bit hyper when they aren't trained.

Answer 6

We have had a bichon for 5 years - got her after 9/11. She is the best thing that has happened to our family. She is a great lap dog, very loyal. Last night she got bit by another dog and acted like she was sorry! There is no greater love than a bichon. No doubt she takes a while to comb out after a bath! Otherwise, pure love, love, love!!!!

Answer 7

It all depends, my friend has a westie and it is such a loyal dog, really cute and sweet. She has a fence around 3/4 of her yard and no electrical fence and he never steps a toe out of her yard and has really easy coat maintnence. On the other hand my sisters best friend has a bichon frise and hes nice but he likes to climb on furniture and lick everthing and everyone but they don't let him off a leash or a run. Its all how you train it

Answer 8

Terriers are very active dogs.. bred to hunt rodents...
NO dog can be 100 % trusted off leash - a well trained dog can certainly be trusted more than a disobedient or untrained dog...
Bichons have lower intelligence so they do not need to be as active as a Terrier would

Answer 9

Westies are very active dogs that do not take direction well. They are head strong - and strong willed. He will walk all over you if you do not train him well. And they can be difficult to train because they will challenge you for dominance.
As much as I love them (and I do) I do not recommend them to people who are not willing to put in the time to train a dog that can be expected to behave well.
BTW - they are diggers, and will go after anything small (squirrels, possomss, racoons, etc) - they were breed as hunters - and they do KILL anything they can catch. (it's icky to have your pooch come in covered in blood, mine have)
They might be cute - but they were not bred to be pets, they were bred to be working dogs - and that needs to be respected if you are going to keep one.....

on the other hand Bichons were bred to be lap-dog type pets - and if thats what you are looking for, then ask breeders if you can meet thier dogs to get acquainted with the breed. Most brreders who love thier breed would love the opprotunity to teach you everything they can.

Answer 10

youl never find a picture of those three breeds together!