Hi I have a Westie bitch and want to breed her. I have thought about it for a long time a would like to go ahead with it. I would like to ask your advise as this is the first time I've bred a dog.
She has a good pedigree and has a beautiful nature. Could any body recomend a good westie stud in the north east.
Also any other advise you could give me would be great.
Have have thought long and hard about this and I'm not in it for money, I understand that it can cost more than you get for the pups. I want to improve the breed and would like to show some of the pups.

Thankyou for your help
Holly

Hi, if you have ambitions to show and do "things" properly then I would start by joining the breed clubs and visit as many shows as possible to see the Westies that are being shown and "get your eye" in as to what is a good show Westie and how they are trimmed for showing, as, to do well good trimming is almost as important as having a good dog! Once you have joined and received your year book/s, you will find all the show kennels listed. Ring up a few nearby to you and ask if they do hand stripping or if they would be prepared to show you how to do it, Some people are happy to help newcomers, some are not or just dont have time. Some do trim for other people though. Once you have got the basics of hand stripping and preparation for the ring, show your bitch to see what the judges think. Talk to them after the classes if possible and ask their opinion of what her good and not so good points are. Ask then if in their opinion the bitch is good enough to breed from. In the meantime learn as much as poss about breeding/rearing puppies/bitch health. An excellent book to start with, which almost everyone recommends is "The book of the bitch" by Kay White and Jim Evans.

If you want to produce show dogs, she will need to be of high quality, and you will be extremely unlikely to be able to breed show quality puppies if she is not show quality and capable of winning in good company herself, regardless of how good the stud dog is or her pedigree appears.

There is a Championship show at the G-Mex center in Manchester, Terrier day is on the 10th February. I strongly suggest that you get yourself along there, get there early - about 9 am and then you can see all the classes, all the males are shown first, then the females. Take photos of your bitch and her pedigree along and talk to the exhibitors there, but not as they are just about to go into the ring, and see what their reaction is. Arm yourself with a tough hide for the day, and no matter what anyone says - good or bad - keep smiling! If you do get into showing you will be seeing these people every weekend, and its better to have them on your side, rather than take any constructive crititism badly. Good luck.

I second what westie lover has said, have you been in touch with the breeder of your bitch, and do you have all the neccessary paperwork, i.e. kennel club registration document, transferred into your name, 5 generation pedigree, I know several breeders in the North East, if you would like to e mail me I can give you some advice. Most important, what age is your bitch. Please get in touch

Hi i have now registered. Thank you both for the advise I will try and get to as many shows as possible.
My bitch will be 2 soon, her next season is just after it. I live in the north east so I will email you Irene.