Hello.

I am from Australia and will be moving to Scotland in just over a month.

I am interested in getting a small dog, probably a Pug or Chihuahua, maybe a Westie as I have owned 2 in the past. However I have no idea how these breeds handle the winters there. Im under the impression that Westies would handle the cold much better, but what about Pugs and Chihuahuas?

Any advice and help would be fantastic.

Thankyou for your time.
Pamela

According to my nephew who lives there, any breed with webbed feet will do fine this year!

Seriously, the West Highland, Scottie or cairn terriers will be perfectly okay - after all, that's where they were developed!

Agree with your nephew JG :D Good job my 2 really do have webbed feet :D

Hi, I live in North Scotland and though it gets cold, it is usually above freezing point most of the time. It depends on which part of Scotland you are coming home to, but the weather isn't all that bad. Personally I prefer the East side (not so many midges :D ). As JG said, the westie originated in Scotland - in the West Highlands, I presume ;) so they survive very well in our climate. Shorter haired breeds are quite common too, so I wouldn't think there would be a major problem in having either of the breeds you mentioned. In fact I know a breeder in Scotland who breeds both pug and chihuahua. Her dogs are all fit and healthy and love going out in the snow, so long as they get dried afterwards, and can lie near the fire! It's the rain they don't like so much ;)

Hi.
Im the original poster.

I was talking with my partner and we are fairly set on a Chi, or maybe a westie.

With the Chi, do you think it would be a good idea to get the dog some booties and a little coat for the cold?
Or is that maybe being a little too over the top?

Thanks.
Pamela

Hi I have sent you a private message. just click on the message box and you will see it.

Hi, Pugs are very sturdy little dogs, and cope wiht the cold very well (it's high temerpatures they have problems with)  They are not fond of getting wet, but a brisk dry soon solves the problem.  One of my last litter of Pugs has just gone to live in Scotland, the other in the Lake District, and I live in North East England, Pugs fine in this climate!  Chis are slightly more delicate, and in extreme clod woudl porbably need a coat or wooly jumper.
bye
Gwen