I have had a few westies over the years, some with skin problems, some OK and I'm very familiar with their little stubborn ways until they learn who's boss.  However, for the first time I now have two westie bitches (7 months old) - they are sisters (from a litter of nine pups!).   One is a little angel (Holly), quiet (most times), well-behaved, no skin problems - she has the typical stocky build of a westie. The other little darling (Tammy) is rather wirey in build, pick her up and her body bends similar to a cat, I think she might have been the last of the litter!  She is absolutely hyper and has been since I got her, jumps up at me all the time, grabbing my hand (gently but I'm afraid one day those teeth will grip harder!), barks at anything unusual, wants food constantly and does her best to take anything she can from her sister, absolutely refuses to obey - she challenges me all the time until I have to physically drag her away from the furniture etc.  After 5 months with me I would have expected her to know by now that she won't win!   She itches, sucks her paws which are now brown, she has one ear that is almost constantly red unless I treat it regularly with some cleanser I got from the vet and her tummy flares up red every few days.  Instinct tells me that her behaviour is probably due to the fact that she is very aggitated by her skin and is trying to let me know she needs help.  I want to help her so much but don't know what to do.  She's been to the vets a few times now but no joy with anything - behaviour or skin.   I've heard people mention foods such as Burns on this web site - I've never come across this product in local shops.  I'm currently feeding Purina 'One', the breeders used BETA and had experienced no problems but it didn't work for Tammy.  This is the first time I've used a 'complete' food for my westies - I've always used chicken or minced lamb with rice.  My last westie lived to a ripe old age on Chappie w. a handful of natural bran fore breakfast and a small portion of cod (absolutely no bones!) in the evening.  I have tried chicken and rice for Tammy but no joy.  If anyone can help in any way I'd be really grateful for your comments.

Hi Soos, could be that the food you are feeding is too high in protein. Why not try a more natural way of feeding. One of my westies suffers with skin problems and I've found that his diet plays an import part in keeping his skin itch free. I feed a BARF (raw meat & bone) diet and have done for several years now. If you don't want the hassle of preparing and storing raw meat and bones you could try a pre-packed frozen equivalent in which the bone is minced in together with the raw meat. It's called Prize Choice or Natures Menu and if you go to this link you will find lots more information and your nearest stockist http://www.prizechoice.co.uk/  Also, I'm not sure what you've decided but you may be better having her coat hand stripped instead of clipped as hand stripping helps the skin to breath. I hope this helps ...