What's Bestie For Westie

Dear Dog Lady,

Could you please let me know how the Westie’s [West Highland terrier] tail is supposed to look? If it is supposed to stand up, please advise me how to do it.

Roger, Utica, NY

Roger, dodger? You want Dog Lady to tell you how to make your dog’s tail stand up? Oh, I dunno. How about spit and Scotch tape? Actually, a Westminster dog show judge would be the best authority to give you the skinny on tail hang-ups.

Unless you plan to enter your Westie in a dog show, don’t worry about the tail not standing at attention, which is the breed standard. Dog Lady loves a wonderful Westie with a tail deformity. His tail curls downward instead of upward – the result of a birth defect. Doesn’t seem to make any difference to him. He still wags with the best of them, even if his curved tail does little copter twirls under his butt instead of up in the air.

Roger, do those things for your Westie that make a difference in the quality of life: Supply good food, daily fresh water, exercise, and regular veterinary check-ups. Worrying about your dog’s looks is a distraction -- the tail that wags the dog.

Posted by Dog Lady at November 18, 2004 11:15 AM