Westies are 'built' to do a job....
The group of terriers from Scotland are known firstly as vermin catchers with the West Highland White Terrier being the most readily visible of all the terriers in the rocks and heather of the highlands as it searches for its quarry; vermin, including fox and otter.

The qualities of larger forefeet to grip hard surfaces and a harsh outer coat to protect itself from inclement weather is joined with the tenacity of the terrier jaw and teeth. All of these qualities are combined for an efficient worker. The most important function of the whole assembly is the ability of the terrier to grab and kill. For this, the Westie requires an excellent jaw and muzzle , plus the vigor of good health to obtain optimal working capability.

The Breed Standard and Teeth

The Canadian West Highland White Terrier standard, to which all breeders of Canadian registered Westies try to adhere, states: "The muzzle should be slightly shorter than the skull, powerful and gradually tapering to the nose, which should be large. The jaws should be level and powerful, the teeth well set and large for the size of the dog. There shall be six incisor teeth between the canines of both lower and upper jaws. A tight scissors bit with upper incisors slightly overlapping the lower incisors or a level mouth are equally acceptable." For breeders, the desirable trait is that of a scissors bite.

Fanciers and breeders of Westies are lucky because man has not spoiled the basics of our working animal; that is, we still have a good muzzle in our breed which can hold the required amount of teeth combined with the desired size and density.

Puppy Teeth and Teething

At about 4 weeks of age, the puppy starts to develop milk teeth or puppy teeth. These number 28 with no molars. Molars occur in adult teeth only. These teeth remain until the puppy begins teething at 4 months of age and which can continue to 7 months of age at which time the adult dog should have 42 teeth. If the dog has a shorter face, there may be some missing teeth which, in a Westie, is undesirable. It's important to check the dog's teeth as he is teething to insure that no retained baby tooth retards the development of an adult tooth. Sometimes the baby tooth has to be removed by the veterinarian to make room for the adult tooth. If the puppy teeth do not appear to follow the standard guidelines, one is unable to correct the problem with much success. Weekly checking of the bite will reassure the owner of a correct bite; however, the lower jaw grows at a faster pace from the upper jaw and unless the bite is going to be good, an undershot jaw is a possibility. An undershot jaw is defined as the lower teeth in front of the upper teeth.

When the puppy is teething, his sharp teeth feel more like 280 rather than 28. At this time, a good rubber chew toy is vital. Pay the extra money for a Nylabone or Kong-type toy. Do not play "tug" with your puppy as it may influence the jaw to become undershot. This game can wait until adulthood.

Brushing your Westie's Teeth

Teach the puppy early in his life that it is permissible for your fingers to open his mouth and check his gum line. When his adult teeth come in, you should be able to lightly brush his gums on a weekly basis and then continue this throughout his lifetime. Veterinarians and pet stores sell toothbrushes which come in a variety of styles. A children's toothbrush works just fine. Keep in mind that you are really brushing the gums that connect near the tooth. The aim of brushing is to prevent gum disease. Dog toothpaste comes in various flavours such as chicken and beef. Do not use human toothpaste as this product is meant to be rinsed and spit. Dog toothpaste is formulated to remove plaque and does not require rinsing, although I always brush with clear water after using the paste. Westies do not mind teeth cleaning once used to the procedure.

Feeding your Westie to enhance his teeth

An important aspect of maintaining healthy teeth is to feed the Westie hard food. He needs to exercise his jaws and he requires hard kibble to prevent tartar buildup. Many of the premium dog kibbles now contain a "dental defense" formula and I can attest that this ingredient truly does work to its promise. Healthy snacks such as carrots and apples also should be included. The danger of bones, even beef knuckle bones, is that the dog can fracture a molar and it could be undetected until an infection sets into it. Raw chicken bones and raw food are advocated by many to keep healthy teeth, but as I am reluctant to feed these items to my dogs because of possible toxins, I am unable to give an opinion. Dog biscuits come in all sizes, shapes and qualities. Many contain sugars which stay in the mouth so it's important to find good biscuits should you feel the need to treat your dog with these products. Veterinarians carry treats without containing sugar as do many of the premium dog food companies. Be aware that too many biscuits can put on unnecessary weight. My Westies really love baby carrots for a treat and don't seem to notice the difference between a carrot or a milkbone.

Tartar

The prevention of tartar cannot be stressed enough in the well-being and health of your Westie. Tartar is the mineralized form of plaque which is a gummy substance formed around teeth by food residue and bacteria. Dogs living in areas of hard water develop more plaque on their teeth than dogs living in areas of soft water. The danger of tartar is that it builds up alongside the gums, loosening their attachment to the teeth and allowing access to these areas by bacteria which cause gum infection. The teeth are held in their sockets by a special kind of connective tissue cement called the periodontal membrane. Infection of this membrane leads to root infection and loss of teeth.

Periodontal disease

The most common disease of the dog's mouth is periodontal disease. It begins as a gingivitis by trapping food in little pockets alongside the teeth. As these pockets become infected, the gums become soft and mushy and begin to recede, exposing more of the teeth. If you press on the sides of the gums, you will see little bits of pus coming from below. There is also fetid odor to the breath. Begin brushing with a soft brush immediately. In addition, oral antibiotics should be started immediately. If the disease is not well-established and treatment is done quickly, teeth may reattach to the gum. The veterinarian may advise removal of damaged teeth to prevent further infection.

Cavities

Dental cavities are not common in the dog. When present, they occur on the root of the tooth instead of the crown (as in humans). This is usually caused by gum disease. Cavities can lead to root abscesses. Abscessed roots involve all teeth, but the one most often affected is the top fourth pre-molar ( these are the smaller teeth on the side of the dog's jaw). This causes characteristic swelling below the dog's eye. It presents as a recurrent, painful rising which eventually breaks and drains pus out over the side of the face. Abscessed roots usually are treated by tooth extractions. 1.

Checkups

Annual checkups with your veterinarian will determine the level of maintenance that is required for your dog's teeth and will determine how frequent veterinarian scaling is required. Do not try to scale your dog's teeth yourself; if your hand slips and the gum is punctured by the pick, infection could easily set in. This task should be left to the professionals at your veterinary clinic.

Geriatric Westies have teeth, too - we hope!

Your geriatric Westie will benefit greatly from routine and dedicated brushing throughout his lifetime. Continue checking his teeth with his weekly grooming as older dogs can sometimes suffer from teeth fractures more easily than younger dogs. Tooth and gum disease is frequent in older dogs when oral hygiene has been deficient and may interfere with eating. All loose teeth should be removed. If the dog has lost many teeth, you may have to feed him soft food. Have your vet advise you the correct maintenance schedule for teeth cleaning as your dog ages and on treatment if necessary .

The outside of a Westie is appealing to our eye and it's probably what attracted us to the breed in the beginning. The personality of the Westie is what keeps us enamored. But perhaps one of the most important aspects of a healthy Westie is that of teeth which will last the dog throughout his lifetime.

Author: Sheila Ehmann
Damara Registered

1. G. Carlson, Delbert, D.V.M. and James M. Giffin: Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, M.D. Howell Book House ed, pp 156 - 163, First Edition l980

Other interesting links:

Preventive Care: Pet Dental Care is Important

Brushing dog's teeth with electric toothbrushes