Finding a groomer who really knows how to properly trim and shape your Westie may be a problem.  It seems quite a few "groomers" out there think your Westie should look like a Scottie, Wheaten Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Norwhich Terrier and so many come out looking like "A SCHNAUZER --- HEAVEN FORBID!! The proper head of the fantastic looking Westie is that which is patterned after the Chrysanthemum flower which is FULL and ROUND not trimmed to a WEDGE toward his/her chin.  The tail should be shaped like a carrot, thick at the base, tapered to a point at the tip (no trailing hairs) and the hair should be trimmed even with the tip of the tail bone.  A Westie is supposed to have a skirt.  Trimmed neatly it should come to within an inch or so of the ground.  The neck should be trimmed so as to accent the chrysanthemum shape (lion type) head.  All clipping of the body hair must be clipped in the natural direction of the hair and blended cleanly down to the skirt and legs.  There should NEVER be a horizontal cut-line down the sides of the body.  This is all wrong! The hair on the top of the head shall be brushed forward over the eyes and  that hair trimmed so those beautiful coal black eyes can be seen clearly. This  hair should create a "visor" effect.  When first setting out to secure grooming for your West Highland White Terrier, you will need to spend a few minutes going through the yellow pages of your phone book listing all the grooming shops in your area.  You'll probably want to check  the ones nearest you first but, NEVER NEVER discount those that may even be an hour or more  drive away.  The reason we say this is, if the shop that can do a PROPER job for you and your  Westie friend demands an hour's drive, you will find that time very well spent.  Maybe you could do a little shopping, have lunch with a friend or if it's a nice day, spend the waiting time relaxing at a nearby park under a big shade tree with a good book.  We have a grooming shop here at our ranch and many times, during the warmer months, the parents of our grooming clients relax under our many 70 - 80 foot tall cedar trees surrounding our facility while reading some of our dog magazines or a book they brought with them.  You have spent much time and considerable expense securing a high quality Westie who will offer more love and companionship then you can ever imagine sooooo, placing him/her in the hands of a well qualified groomer, even if it causes some inconvenience over the years, will prove to be of small consequence.

SHIH-TZU

BEFORE GROOMING

SAME SHIH-TZU

AFTER GROOMING

A WESTIE NEEDING GROOMING BADLY

AFTER JOYCE GROOMED HER

AFTER JOYCE GROOMED HER

Not only is the proper cut and blending of the hair important but a well experienced  and truly "dog caring" groomer will constantly keep you informed on everything he/she finds concerning your dog while in their care.  We find it sad that there are grooming technicians, even some with many years experience, who simply seem to ignore situations/conditions effecting dogs they see.  It is our thinking that anything we find concerning you pet's health or well-being (no matter what the breed) should be and will be relayed to you so corrective steps can be instituted.  We are 100% for your dog's health.  When some of our clients are amazed at the information we offer and inform us that no one has ever seemed to be so concerned about their dog (beyond grooming) we have a simple statement we offer:  "Actually, we are more concerned about your dog's well being then we are about yours."  We surely develop strong, almost family-like ties to our human clients, but we love those four legged critters we call dogs and do everything possible to assist them in having the best and most healthful life possible.  We can not stress the importance of a strong, personal relationship between yourself and the one who is your "first line of defence" in regards to the health of your pet.  A caring and competent tech. will offer simple solutions to simple problems but, will know when to inform you of a possible ear or other infection or condition that needs the attention of your Vet.  Your groomer should always be there to offer his or her (non-physician) opinion on any question you may have.  Many times these opinions may save you considerable veterinary dollars or even more importantly you dog life.  A good groomer  sees a variety of dogs and conditions daily so this, coupled with reading everything we are exposed to about conditions concerning dogs and our discussions with Vets. over the years, gives most of us a fair handle on many things that effect your little or not-so-little four legged friend. Now that we have most of that out of the way, we'll list below things to look for when searching for that right grooming facility. 1.  What is the condition of the exterior and      interior of the shop?       a.  How are things kept ?  What you see can            surely reflect the general attitude of the            groomer.            b.  Are things clean and reasonably orderly.           (Remember,  a  busy shop can be           difficult to keep all swept-up but there is no          excuse for a dirty facility.  Dirty           can lead to bacterium, fleas, mites and a host          of other conditions.           c.  Don't forget to ask to see where you pet will           be kept while waiting to be groomed or for           you to come for him/her.  These cages should           be spotless accepting a small amount of          flying hair from the dryers in use.      d.  What is the general temperature in the shop?            Is it between 75 an 85 degrees.  To cold,           your puppy/dog could become chilled. Not           good.  Too hot and he/she could become           over heated.  Not good.  Generally,  while           you are in the shop it should feel a little extra           warm but not enough to make you want to           leave.      e.  How does it smell in the shop?  It may smell            a little "doggie", but it shouldn't smell bad.      f.  Does the tech. take a few min. to look-over           your dog each time you bring him/her in and          discuss what you want done and note any          adverse conditions?      f.  Do they have/use the type shampoo that you          have found to work well for you dog.  If not,           do they have a similar material?      g.  Do they have you fill-out an information           form on you and your dog, go over it with           you and do they make notes as to any           special situations/conditions?      h.  Do they REALLY know how to groom you          dog to that breed's specifications?  If they          seem uncertain, maybe you should continue          your search.  NEVER ASSUME THAT JUST          BECAUSE THEY OWN OR WORK IN A          DOG GROOMING SHOP AND MAY BE          LICENSED, THAT THEY KNOW HOW          PROPERLY GROOM YOU DOG.      i.  This must be your call but, many times we           have found that the "Chain-type" grooming          shops may not be the best place to take your          dog.  Now, that is not to say that any certain          shop, in any certain store, can't/won't do a          good job but, many of these shops hire young          inexperienced people and the name of game          is "get them in and out as quickly as possible".          Now, we realize everyone must "practice" but          with the high volume and the limited oversight           by a groomer who "hopefully knows" (don't          count on it) how to groom all breeds, it is very          likely the finished product may not be pleasing          to you.  Taking a dog to a place like that, one           who needs a special type grooming (a Westie), may          be returned to you looking more like a           schnauzer or possibly worse.          A STRONG WORD OF CAUTION IS IN          ORDER HERE.       j.   A good groomer will not have you bring            your dog in very early in the morning            and have you pick him/her up late in the             afternoon.  There is no reason for him/her             to be sitting in a cage for hours.  1/2 hour            prior to your "appointment time" is plenty            and you should expect to receive a            "pick-up" call as soom as your dog is            finished.            That said, YOU need to make every effort            to BE ON TIME, both bringing and receiving.            The groomer has a business to conduct.            They are not there as a hobby.  Theat             them as you would want to be treated.                  k.  The one good thing, if you can see it that way,           is that all dogs have hair and hair re-grows.          No matter how much devastation is unleashed         upon it, it will grow back.  You'll just have to         try to "hang-in-there" until it grows long enough          for a qualified groomer to begin re-shaping         to proper specs.                   l.  When you find the right groomer, even if           they charge more, hang onto them what ever           it takes.  Especially, groomers who really           knows Westies.  They are out there but           surely not on every corner.  Do what it takes.            Next to you, they are probably your Westies           best friend and can be worth their weight in GOLD.