Westies & Besties - March 2021 by Westies & Besties Magazine

I SSU E 7, VOL 1

A KNIGHT TO THE RESCUE: SIR TONY ROBINSON AND HOLLY BERRY

MA RCH 2 0 2 1

ISSN 2634-4130

SIMPLY THE WEST! Happy hy t l a e h d an

Naked Dog’s Superfood recipes are packed full of vital ingredients to reduce allergies and skin conditions.

Find your nearest stockist at

www.nakeddog.co.uk

March is National Bed Month and while we’re supposed to ponder the idea of improving our sleep by investing in a new mattress to get more rest, I got to thinking, instead, about our Westie’s beds and his little sleep pattern. So, on this note, Chantelle Horton shows us the latest beautiful beds on the market and what a choice there is! Ah, if only I could fall asleep as quickly as our Westie does…

Television and radio presenter, Kris Meredith takes us on a fascinating journey of the history of the West Highland Terrier. Cushing’s Disease is unfortunately a very common disease in dogs. Faye Andrews reveals how this disorder has affected her personally after her own Westie, Duchess, was diagnosed and what steps can be taken to help. Afterall, we all know that knowledge is power and when it comes to our canine pals, we all sleep better knowing our Westies are healthy and safe.

Kim Latham Editor Circle Only use blue and/or white.

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Editor Kim Latham Tel: +44 7496 310169 Email: info@westiesandbesties.com Commercial Director Alex Griffin Tel: +44 7496 310173 Email: alex@westiesandbesties.com Senior Writer Chantelle Horton Email: info@westiesandbesties.com

Design Vavoom.co.uk

If you’re dreaming of springtime, then our fashion accessories story will hopefully cheer you up so you can dazzle on your dog walk when we finally get around to having some much-missed sunshine as the winter months bid farewell.

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Publisher – Westies & Besties Ltd Fidlas Road | Cardiff | CF14 5LZ

Columnists Mark Randell Faye Andrews

Thankfully, I wasn’t dreaming when I spoke to Sir Tony Robinson recently about his rescue Westie, Holly Berry, adopted from the RSPCA Derby & District, (of which he and his wife Lady Louise Robinson are now Patrons.) It’s an honour to have him in our magazine.

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WE LC O M E

EDITOR’S NOTE

Our Westie, Buffy, Chief Cuddles Officer!

Photography MalGib Photography Dreamstime.com Shutterstock Front Cover image: Supplied by Sir Tony Robinson Printing Warners Midlands PLC Westies & Besties Magazine is published by Westies & Besties Ltd (the “Publisher) and printed on behalf of the publisher by Warners Midlands PLC. Westies & Besties Ltd is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. Westies & Besties Magazine and the Westie & Bestie logo/ masthead are marks of Westies & Besties Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within Westies & Besties magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher or those of its contributors. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequences arising from it. The Publishers accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or other materials, in the case of all product reviews. Judgements have been made in the context of the product tested. (All pictures have been supplied unless otherwise mentioned.) Advertisers in this publication must adhere to the rules and regulations of the ASA. Westies & Besties Ltd is not responsible or liable for a company or individual’s advert.

CONTENTS

12-13 HEALTH

14-17 HEALTH

18-21 NUTRITION

22-25 FEATURE

Westie Lung Disease and steps to slow it down

Cushing’s Disease – do you know the symptoms?

The science behind raw feeding dogs

March is National Bed Month! Do you know your Westie’s sleeping habits?

26-31 FASHION

32-40 COVER STORY

44-48 Q&A

50 COMPETITION

Dazzle on your dog walk with the latest spring accessories

A knight to the rescue. Sir Tony Robinson on his adopted Westie, Holly Berry

The history of how Westies became our Besties

Win a pair of Talolo boots!

PHOTO CREDITS shutterstock_1711941643, and Sir Tony Robinson

Westies & Besties - March 2021

A D VERTO RI AL

ANXIETY, STRESS AND ASSOCIATED BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS The modern, fast-paced, and often very noisy world we live in, is extremely challenging for many dogs. Little wonder then, that many pets display signs of anxiety or stress, such as: • an oversensitivity to bangs, clattering and clangs, doorbells, knocking, drilling, dogs barking, traffic and other sounds • excessive barking • fear of being left alone • aggressiveness • reactivity towards other dogs • difficulty socialising with other dogs individually or in groups • self-trauma • destructiveness in the home • fear of strangers • timidity and / or trembling in unfamiliar situations • urinating or defaecating indoors • running away and / or hiding

A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER LIFE – ESPECIALLY WITH THE LIFTING OF LOCKDOWN COMING An anxious, stressed or reactive dog is difficult to help once fight / flight reactions have been triggered, as this typically renders them unreceptive to reassurance, instructions and behavioural modification. Vince the Vet® Ultimate Anxiety Relief and Behaviour Improvement remedies (unique, natural, Veterinary Formulas), used daily, for as long as necessary, are highly effective at helping pets remain: • calm • relaxed • receptive • focused without drowsiness or sedation, while positive, reward based retraining exercises are used to establish healthier patterns of behaviour, so that they can live the happiest life possible.

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ADVERTO RI A L

LEAVE YOUR BARK ON THE ENVIRONMENT! COMPOSTABLE

BIODEGRADABLE

COMPOSTABLE

MADE FROM NATURAL MATERIALS SUCH AS CELLULOSE.

BROKEN DOWN NATURALLY UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS.

CAN BE RECYCLED UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS.

DECOMPOSES LEAVING NO TOXIC RESIDUE WITHIN 6 MONTHS.

CAN TAKE YEARS TO DECOMPOSE, MAY LEAVE BEHIND TOXIC RESIDUE.

ith the rising consumption of single use plastic and the projection that, should we continue on this trajectory there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050, the time is now to leave your Bark on the environment for future generations, dogs and their humans alike! Research into biodegradable, compostable and recyclable plastic materials is steadily advancing. But what do these terms really mean, and what is the impact of these products on the environment? Compostable packaging must meet specific standards such as the ability to decompose within a few months in a home or industrial compost facility. Not only that but the products, it breaks down into, must be harmless to the environment. This is not always the case for biodegradable plastics, which are not as strictly regulated. Having gained a PhD in Polymer

Chemistry, I always had an interest in sustainability and renewable plastics. When I began to look into dog treats I was surprised by the lack of sustainable packaging and the amount of unnatural ingredients they contained. From a passion for all things sustainability, my home-baking addiction and a little white fur ball full of character (Bramble the Westie), Bramble’s Biscuits was born in the Autumn of 2020. We are a dog biscuit company, baking every biscuit to order using only natural, wheat free and preservative free ingredients, making them accessible also to dogs with allergies. It was really important to me that Bramble’s Biscuits packaging was as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. That’s why our plastic cellulose treat bags are produced with wood pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests. Our bags are also fully compostable, which means they easily break down

Westies & Besties - March 2021

THERE IS A LIMIT ON HOW MANY TIMES PLASTICS CAN BE RECYCLED.

leaving no nasty chemicals in the final compost product. Having set up Bramble’s Biscuits to try and be kinder on the environment, I also wanted to help animal charities which had been hit particularly hard from the events in the past year. Many charities have been unable to carry out their usual fundraising events. 10% of all our profits are donated to a different animal charity each quarter. So far we have donated profits, raffle prizes and free products to support a number of dog related charities. Bramble inspired me to try and help the environment and local charities who work so hard day-in, day-out, whilst also offering yummy healthy treats! I hope this has inspired you to make a change too, from purchasing compostable poo bags, being conscious of the ingredients in your dog’s treats, to supporting smaller business who produce and utilise more sustainable products and packaging.

A D VERTO RI AL

SUSTAINABLE DOG TOY IDEA FOR THE MISCHIEVOUS WESTIE IN YOUR LIFE. Before recycling our fully recyclable delivery boxes, why not turn them into a fun sustainable snuffle box for the mischievous Westie in your life? Here’s how:

Step 1, Order some yummy, natural dog treats from Bramble’s Biscuits Step 2, Find some old towels, empty kitchen rolls, or our shredded wood box fill Step 3, Build your snuffle box and hide some of Bramble’s Biscuits amongst the filling Step 4, Watch your Westie sniff them out with military precision Step 5, Dispose of the packaging in a sustainable way (See our website for tips)

15% OFF CODE: WESTIEBESTIE

GET CREATIVE AND TAG US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM OR SEND US A PIC VIA EMAIL WITH YOUR SUSTAINABLE DOG TOY IDEAS, FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF OUR EASTER DOGGY HAMPERS! ENTRIES CLOSE 31ST MARCH.

BRAMBLE'S BISCUITS Home Baked NaTural INGREDIENTS

Compostable Packaging Natural, Wheat Free and Vegan Ingredients No Preservatives 10% of Profits to Dog Charities Westie Breed Biscuits, Birthday Boxes, Easter Treats and More!

www.bramblesbiscuits.co.uk @brambles_biscuits

BramblesBiscuits

Info@bramblesbiscuits.co.uk

A DVERTO RI A L

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

he Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) is the trade body representing the UK pet food industry. With 87 members, and growing each year, PFMA represents over 90% of the UK pet food market. PFMA members have the responsibility of feeding a nation of over 50 million pets – a role our members take very seriously. Recently PFMA celebrated its 50th anniversary. We are a well-established association and well connected with the wider animal care community. Many pet owners are unaware there is a dedicated body working to achieve the highest standards in pet food. In addition to promoting the best standards across the industry, PFMA works closely with vets and other pet care professionals to make sure they have the latest information on pet nutrition topics such

as vegan diets for pets and responsible raw feeding, to help pet owners with their feeding decisions. The formation of a dedicated pet food body In 1970, four pet food companies, Spillers, Quaker Oats, Petfood Ltd and Stamina Ltd were united in the desire for a single voice to represent the pet food industry. Quaker Oats and Stamina eventually became part of Spillers, which is now Nestle Purina Pet Care, while Petfood Ltd became Mars Petcare. The driving issue at the time was VAT on pet food. Pet food companies were campaigning for pet food to have the same VAT status as human food, which was zero rated. It was felt unjust that food for pets was taxed, particularly given the important societal role they play. Beyond VAT, there was also a keenness to provide advice to

Westies & Besties - March 2021

smaller pet food companies, share information with organisations interested in animal welfare and act as an industry voice talking to government. Animal welfare always on the agenda Whilst PFMA has grown and diversified significantly since 1970, our core focus is largely the same. Building partnerships and working in collaboration and placing pets at the heart of everything we do. Animal welfare has always been on the PFMA agenda. PFMA is a co-sponsor of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare alongside the RSPCA. As the welfare of both farm and companion animals is fundamental to us, this group is the perfect fit. We work alongside like-minded organisations to ensure animal welfare is at the forefront of mind for policy makers.

A D VERTO RI AL

Why chose a PFMA member? PFMA and its members are often asked by pet owners and pet professionals, what it means to be a PFMA member - why should they choose a PFMA member? We address this below. Safety & Quality All our members sign up to a PFMA Charter and Codes of Practice annually, which detail the legal requirements and safety & quality standards they must meet. These Codes of Practice cover all aspects of the pet food production process including guidelines on the nutritional requirements of pets, the safe manufacture of pet food and best practice labelling and product communication. Peace of Mind Using PFMA members will give you peace of mind that you are sourcing your pet food from a reputable business who is happy to discuss your questions.

Knowledge and Expertise PFMA members have access to regular training, latest science updates and tailored advice from leading industry experts. Professional Representation Choosing our members means you have somewhere to go for help, in the unlikely event of something going wrong, as PFMA can act as a mediator where necessary. Eligibility to Join Only eligible companies can become members, through an application process involving references, a site visit and committee review. The vast majority of UK pet food companies choose to be members because they are committed to the same values, even though membership is voluntary.

world-leading certification scheme for companies who make a commercial raw pet food. In 2017, PFMA launched its Guidelines for the Manufacture of Raw Pet Food, which was our first best practice guideline, developed in conjunction with Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The new certification scheme is a continuation of this work and is the gold standard. This is designed to be an extra tool to support the safe production of raw pet food and provides reassurance to pet owners of the high standards being followed. A List of PFMA members is available on the PFMA website along with a range of factsheets on dog food nutrition.

PFMA launching world leading certification scheme for commercial raw pet food We are in the final stages of completing a brand-new,

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS 11

H E A LT H

Westie Lung Disease Above: Dr. Vince MacNally

SADLY, THIS PARTICULAR RESPIRATORY CONDITION IS A PROGRESSIVE ONE BUT THERE ARE STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO SLOW IT DOWN. BY DR. VINCE MACNALLY.

anine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF), otherwise known as ‘Westie Lung Disease’ (WLD), is a respiratory condition which predominantly affects middle-aged to older West Highland White Terriers. It is a serious and progressive disease, the cause of which is unknown.

Fibrosis When significant damage occurs in the lungs, normal, healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue, in a process known as fibrosis. And because scar tissue cannot stretch, the more fibrosis there is, the less the lungs can expand and contract. As the disease progresses, this can lead to:

It typically results in:

• • • •

• •

l oss of exercise tolerance excessive panting difficulty breathing coughing

Sadly, treatment in the great majority of cases is unsuccessful, and research into the factors which may contribute to its development, are ongoing. Normal Respiratory Function The lungs are essentially balloons which inflate with air when a breath is taken. This allows oxygen to pass into pulmonary blood vessels and be transported to every organ, tissue, and cell, where it fuels many vital, biological processes. On expiration, the lungs deflate expelling carbon dioxide - a waste product of cellular metabolism – to prevent it from building up to toxic levels in the body. For normal, healthy breathing to occur the lungs need to expand and contract fully during inhalation and exhalation, and to do this they need to be highly elastic.

• • • • •

bnormal lung sounds a altered blood gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide levels) hypertension pooling of mucus in the lungs respiratory infections airway collapse an enlarged heart

Diagnosis The main sign of WLD is laboured breathing with or without coughing. In the early stages, this may simply appear as a reluctance to exercise, or an inability to walk or run for as long as usual. Listlessness, quickly tiring when playing or going up and down stairs and sleeping more than normal are also common. These and other changes in behaviour, reflect a lack of oxygenation of the blood and resultant fatigue Many conditions affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune systems can cause signs similar to WLD. It is important, that investigations be carried out, to confirm a

Westies & Besties - March 2021

• • • • • • • •

lood tests b X-rays Ultrasound bronchoscopy bronchiolar washes (to extract cells for analysis) measurement of blood gases lung biopsy CT scan

Risk Factors Because WLD occurs predominantly in Westies, a genetic basis for the condition is highly likely. Research into this area, however, has not yet yielded any conclusive results. There has been some progress on the identification of certain biomarkers, as a predictor for the development of alveolar damage, but further work is needed.* Although specific factors which contribute to the development of this disease haven’t been identified, it is worth avoiding anything which may increase the risk of pulmonary damage, such as:

• • •

tobacco smoke (known to occur in people) untreated lungworm infections toxic volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) from paint, aerosols, wood preservatives, moth repellents, air fresheners, chemical cleaning products, scented candles** etc.

Treatment As there is no cure for WLD, the aim is to slow down the rate of progression of the disease as much as possible. With this in mind, corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation, suppress the immune system and minimise the formation of scar tissue.

In general, when the disease is diagnosed in the early stages, it can often be managed more successfully than in the later stages when lung pathology is more advanced. Natural Support Dietary changes, natural supplements, and remedies can all play an important part in maintaining quality of life in dogs affected by WLD, as with many other conditions. High levels of antioxidants in particular wholefoods for example, can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Blends of botanical and mineral extracts, proven to aid the body’s natural adaptive and recuperative powers, can soothe upper respiratory irritation, ease coughing and help to maintain heart function. Naturally occurring immune modulators, can help the body cope successfully with exposure to pathogenic microorganisms, increasing natural resistance to infection. These and other benefits can be provided by clinically proven, natural supplements specially formulated for this purpose. * L. Lilja-Maula, P. Syrja, H.P. Laurila, E. Sutinen, M. Palviainen, O. Ritvos, K. Koli, M.M. Rajamaki and M. Myllarniemi. Upregulation of alveolar levels of activin B, but not activin A, in lungs of West Highland White Terriers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diffuse alveolar damage. J Comp Path 2015; 152: 192-200. ** https://www.iqair.cn/cn-en/newsroom/hiddendangers-scented-candles

PHOTO CREDIT shutterstock_1015486324

These typically include:

Medication to dilate the airways, along with cough suppressants and mucolytics (drugs which aid the expectoration of mucus from the lungs), can help some dogs breathe more easily and comfortably.

H E A LT H

specific diagnosis, so that the most appropriate treatment can be given.

H E A LT H

Cushing’s Disease: The Journey of a Duchess DO YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF CUSHING’S DISEASE? BY FAYE ANDREWS, CANINE & HUMAN OSTEOPATH

uchess was eight years old when I noticed her stools had become a little erratic. She would go to the toilet three times a day, which was normal for her, but whilst her morning and evening motion where absolutely fine it was a different story at lunchtime! Over a few days it had become slightly soft and runny, she wouldn’t finish in one go, and sometimes it was like jelly. After a week or so of this being everyday (it had started with only once or twice a week) I noticed there was a spot of fresh blood. Although not being too concerned as it is common to have blood in the stool if a dog has diarrhoea through excessive straining, I made Duchess an appointment with our trusted vet, Michael. Michael gave Duchess a full assessment and suggested a stool sample, this came back all clear… no parasites. The next step was to do a blood test. This time the results came back with some concern. According to the blood results Duchess was seriously ill but strangely that wasn’t what Michael saw when he looked

PHOTO CREDIT

All images supplied by Faye Andrews

Westies & Besties - March 2021

Cushing’s Disease is one of the most commonly diagnosed canine endocrine disorders and is usually seen in older dogs. There are two types, one is caused by a tumour in or on the adrenal gland itself and the other is a growth (not necessarily cancerous) affecting the pituitary gland in the brain which is linked via hormones to the adrenal glands. Thankfully for us Duchess had the latter type, which if you are going to have one it is this one, you’d rather have. It was also revealed that Duchess had slightly leaky kidneys, so we started her on a very mild

kidney medication. Michael also wanted me to put her on a medicated kibble diet for her kidneys, but one look at me and he realised that just wasn’t going to happen. I asked if I could get a referral to a canine nutritionist to take a look at her diet as I’m far happier with the natural approach than synthetic medication, but did agree that if it didn’t work, I would concede defeat and place her on the kibble.

H E A LT H

at her, he even called the blood laboratory and asked if these were the right results for Duchess! We were confused as to what was going on, so it was suggested we do some further testing, well obviously both Michael and I wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on. An abdominal ultrasound scan was performed which showed nodules on her adrenal glands (these sit just above the kidneys, one on each side and produce cortisol which is our natural steroid) but still no clinical signs of Cushing’s Disease – fur loss, increased thirst, increased appetite, increased urination, pot belly, lethargy, muscle wasting and panting.

As Duchess was what they term pre-clinical (her blood levels were still low enough), Michael wanted to hold off on treating the Cushing’s Disease for the time being but agreed we would keep a very close eye on her. All in all, after what seemed like a very long three months, we had finally got some answers. A year went by before Duchess became full blown clinical…Michael was amazed and admitted that he didn’t expect her to be preclinical for so long, he agreed that whatever it was that I was doing was working as all her blood results and enzyme levels were coming down so he told me to keep doing what I was doing but that we would now add in medication for the Cushing’s Disease. The medication started and regular tests were conducted to make sure the levels were

Right: Faye Andrews, Human & Canine Osteopath

H E A LT H

correct and that there were no side effects of the medication (we now get tested every six months to make sure everything is in check as per the protocols). As we started on the medication road, we hit a few stumbling blocks, mainly I noticed Duchess had become reluctant to go for a walk and when she did it was slow, and I mean slow, slower than a snails’ pace! At first, I thought it was just Duchess being Duchess (her name befits her!) and that with it being cold and damp she just didn’t want to go. I mentioned this to Michael at our next catch up and it transpired Duchess had underlying elbow arthritis. After examination we both suspected that she had had it for years and that the Cushing’s Disease had been hiding it. That’s because Cushing’s Disease is an increase in the cortisol level within the body. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands hence the official name of the disease being hyperadrenocorticism. Cortisol is effectively an anti-inflammatory, so with Duchess she was basically getting a high level of anti-inflammatory permanently due to the adrenal glands over producing cortisol and this was masking her arthritis pain. Now came the tough decision…we didn’t want her in pain

so considered reducing her medication, but this would put a strain on her kidneys. There was no point in giving her anti-inflammatories (corticosteroids) and keeping her medication at the correct level as that would be counteracting what we were trying to achieve. At the time golden paste/turmeric paste was becoming highly popular as a natural anti-inflammatory. Michael agreed to me trying this approach and needless to say Duchess was back to her normal lively self within two weeks. Duchess is now stable on her medication and has regular six-monthly tests, she is off the kidney medication and still on her raw diet. Along with medication Duchess gets regular treatments from myself to help with the arthritis and stiffness, she still has a good 60-minute run around the park and despite everything will still manage a 5km walk on the South Downs every so often. I vary what she does each day from a walk to specific exercises to keep her muscles strong as weakness especially in the back legs is a side effect of Cushing’s, and hydrotherapy.

Westies & Besties - March 2021

H E A LT H

Duchess by name Duchess by nature! She is a typical Westie, very much in charge at home. Not only of the four other dogs we have but of us as well but at nearly 14-years of age she’s entitled to be. If she doesn’t want to go for a walk, she will make it very clear…and there is no way of changing her mind. Sometimes it is just best to leave her snuggled in her favourite blanket.

NEW

NUTRITION

The Science Behind Feeding Raw Food to Westies BY CAROLINE GRIFFITH, FOUNDER OF THE BEST DOG DIET

id you know the West Highland Terrier is one of a handful of breeds proven to have the least chance of coping with starches, cereals, and grain in their diets? The Westie has been shown to have less copies, if many at all, of an important gene variance between dogs and wolves that allows for dogs to better digest starches. Everyone knows that Westies are just that little bit different to the average canine, but what we know is it’s not just about their inquisitive button noses or pointy ears or sturdy tails, they are different in their dietary requirements too. A study from 20131 highlighted a genetic adaption to the breakdown of starches in the dog, proposed in the study to have arisen as dogs were domesticated and began eating more human leftovers, including our dietary inclusion of grain. PHOTO CREDIT shutterstock_1711941643

Westies & Besties - March 2021

NUTRITION

PHOTO CREDIT shutterstock_1711941643

The genes of the adaption known as : AMY2B (MGAM and SGLT1) or Maltase-glucoamylase appeared in many breeds but were much lower in others. Westies, alongside Chinese Crested Chihuahuas, and Huskies, were the lowest with some Westies not showing the gene adaption at all, described in the study as ‘lacking it’. Breaking It Down Maltose-glucoamylase is responsible for the second step in the breakdown of starch, maltose to glucose, known as catalysing the hydrolysis of maltose to glucose. Proponents of a commercial processed food diet have cited this study many times to provide an understanding into how dogs may cope with cereals or grains in their diets. Yet they currently do not

often share the evidence that our little besties, the Westie, were much less able to perform the secondary starch breakdown steps. Are Westies a High-Risk Breed? Veterinary researchers, however, have noted the Westie is likely to suffer skin, yeast or digestive ailments. Specifically choosing Westies for studies into skin health, and describing them as a high-risk breed . One such study including Westies shows that Westies fed home-made real meat diets, were less likely to suffer Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) than those fed a commercial processed diet2. The study also specifically highlighted that pregnant bitches fed a home-made diet giving birth to puppies are less likely to suffer these ailments. Prevention

NUTRITION

is indeed better than cure. Choosing a breeder who recognises the value of real fresh meat diets, either raw or lightly cooked affords you a better chance of avoiding atopic dermatitis in your pet Westie. The story is not about grain though, the above genetic amylase study only holds true for the type of grains early man included in his diet, ancient grains such as Spelt flour which have a different nutrient and molecular profile than todays’ very refined grains, and for the most part did not include rice either. There is also no evidence to show dogs of any breed do well on a consistent, repetitive amount of cereal or starches in their diets.3 If grain were the only possible issue for Westies when it comes to a processed diet, one could be forgiven for simply switching a dog to a grain free commercial, processed food. Usually due to the change in microbiome such a dietary switch would afford a Westie initial improvement. However, unless the switch is to a real meat fresh diet the changes will not be as significant. Studies have only shown vast differences in canine microbiome when the dogs are switched between a dry processed food and a fresh meat diet.4 A full switch away from processed foods is more likely to create the beneficial change needed. Interestingly the profile of the microbiome shown in dogs fed real meat diets is also much closer to the profile of healthy external skin microbiome. A Westie’s skin is directly related to the health of the gut microbiome. Both the skin and the gut lining continually renew themselves, shedding old cells and forming new ones.

Both need a balanced healthy microbiota to do so. The same bacteria in both cases5. Studies show that less diversity of bacteria on the skin and gut lining plays a role in skin ailments6. A diversity that includes the bacteria found in soil has shown to be pivotal to encourage the healing of skin issues7. Soil based probiotics are fast becoming a highly recommended factor in a dog’s gut healing and skin health protocol, FidoSpore8 is one brand with evidence to show the difference supplements can make alongside dietary changes. A Lack of Hydration Another often overlooked factor in processed foods and a huge influencer of skin conditions is the lack of hydration that a processed diet, even tins, foil packs, white tray foods too. This includes both traditional water hydration and hydration from fatty acids, lipid hydration Firstly, a dog’s body is set up to produce histamine as a response to being dehydrated, even if subtly over time. Unfortunately, drinking water does not provide the same kind of hydration as water found in food. Fresh meat is around 70% water, even when lightly cooked. Following a lack of hydration in the body histamine is produced by the hypothalamus gland to act as a buffer to cells, a useful response the dogs (and our) bodies have evolved to protect cells. With a persistent daily lack of hydration, the body can accumulate too much histamine and certain histamine responses can show up - skin issues, itching and respiratory issues for instance. Secondly, fat or lipid hydration. The second vital form of hydration comes from the fatty acids. Currently the fatty acids humans need as an essential part of our diet

Westies & Besties - March 2021

are not considered essential for dogs. This is due to a specific set of enzymes dogs have called Esterases which should act to provide needed fatty acids such as the well-known Omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid) to the dog’s body. However certain conditions can either mean not enough is converted or that much more is needed than the average dog. Stress and anxiety play a role in the requirements, as does internal inflammation, healing of injuries and skin wound healing. Your dog’s kidneys are also reliant on fatty acids like omega 3, for optimal function, especially if they are already dealing with a diet lacking in moisture content. From what I can determine the esterase assumption is the reason fatty acids such as the omegas are not included in adult commercial pet food guidelines, no processed food has to include them to be labelled, ‘Complete’. Yet when supplements of omega oils are added to the diet dramatic changes in skin issues or joint inflammation occur. Clearly an adult dog’s body needs them too.9 Perhaps we now live in a world that sees dogs needing more nutrients to stay healthy, than the nutrient guidelines set up for processed pet food? Boosting our Besties’ Health All in all the feeding of a fresh diet high in moisture content, microbiome balancing ingredients and the correct fatty acids will ensure our Westies will do better. Westies were also included in a study that showed the individual dog is the strongest determining factor in skin issues. Stronger than the site of the issue, the location on the body, or the breed predisposition. In other words, no matter the higher chances of Westie’s getting skin issues as a breed, or

happen overnight, but as these studies show feeding fresh, grain free food offers the best chance of health for your best little Westie.

NUTRITION

the higher chance of skin issues showing up in specific places such as the ears or paws for instance, the dominant factor in the skin issues was still the individual dog’s state of health. Including the balance and diversity of internal and external skin microbiome.10

Perseverance will also be key. Our final study link highlights that it takes only two hours of a single stressor point to significantly reduce microbiome diversity, and yet up to three weeks for the microbiome to re-balance on its own accord.11 We can support these changes with beneficial prebiotics, but also need to be patient, trust and persevere to fully support our dogs back to optimum health from a transition to a fresh food diet. It might not

PHOTO CREDIT shutterstock_1687840420

What Can We Do? We can forgive ourselves for simply putting issues down to the breed, or perhaps the regularity of ear, or paw yeasts in many breeds of dog. But ultimately, we can see there is a lot we can do with diet to support our Westie as an individual, that goes beyond these commonly accepted explanations.

Sources 1. The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet doi:10.1038/nature11837 201 2. A case-control study of risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis among boxer, bull terrier and West Highland white terrier dogs in Sweden. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17845618/ 3. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/dietary-nutrient-profiles-of-wild-wolves-insights-for-optimal-dog-nutrition/6698A301900EEDF10E49B062A2BD9ED8 2014 Although the dog has been shown to have an increased digestive and absorptive capacity to cope with starch-containing foods compared to wolves, the impact of a consistent high amount of absorbed glucose on the dog’s health and longevity remains to be determined. 4. The faecal microbiome and metabolome differs between dogs fed Bones and Raw Food (BARF) diets and dogs fed commercial diets https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0201279 5. ’’https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6351938/ 2019 – ‘’what is a healthy gut microbiota composition And defining canine skin microbiota https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00006 ‘’ 6 and 7 The Skin Microbiome in Healthy and Allergic Dogs https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3885435/ Published online 2014 Jan 8. doi:10.1371/journal .pone.0083197 8. microbiomelabs.com/home/products/fidospore/ 9. https:// yumoveadvance360. com/ 10. Front. Vet. Sci., 06 February 2017 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00006 Individual Signatures Define Canine Skin Microbiota Composition and Variability 11. https:// bmcmicrobiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2180-14-18

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Brilliant Beds HURRAH, MARCH IS NATIONAL BED MONTH! AS WELL AS OFFERING US A GREAT EXCUSE TO HAVE A DUVET DAY, IT’S ALSO A GOOD TIME TO THINK ABOUT OUR WESTIE’S SLEEPING HABITS, WRITES CHANTELLE HORTON.

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Whether it makes you bad tempered, clumsy or drink way too much coffee – we all know the effects on our bodies and brains when we don’t have enough sleep. Our dogs also need their beauty sleep – and having their own bed is a big part of this. Here’s our guide to choosing the perfect one for your westie. Why is sleep so important? Caroline Wilkinson, Certified Animal Behaviourist (barketplace.uk) says, ‘dogs only get about half of the deep, regenerative sleep that we humans do - so it’s no surprise they need more of it each day. In a 24-hour period, you should aim for around 18-20 hours for puppies, or 12-16 hours for your average adult dog.’ And your westie will soon tell you if they’re not getting enough ZZZ’s. Caroline says, ‘over-tired dogs are more likely to be anxious, barky, and, in the case of puppies, hyperactive.’ Why are beds such an important part of our dog’s set up? If your dog regularly dozes on the sofa/ under the kitchen table/in front of the radiator, you may well think they’re perfectly happy without their own bed. But, as Caroline explains, it’s all about choice. ‘Dogs tend to sleep in shorter chunks than we do and also like to have options when it comes to sleeping positions,’ she says. ‘Depending on how they’re feeling - physically and emotionally - they may prefer to curl up or stretch out. Providing your dog with a choice of sleeping areas will allow them to have the best rest. Giving your dog a comfortable bed that’s just for them also means they can feel comfortable in knowing where their safe place to retreat to is.’

What about if they (cough) sleep on our beds? There’s no cuter feeling than your dog nuzzling into you in the morning. But is this OK? Jon Comeau, Orvis’ Dog Product Development Specialist (orvis. co.uk) says, ‘there’s no outright reason dogs shouldn’t sleep on our beds. It’s really a choice for the humans involved. There are factors to consider, such as cleanliness of your dog, size and age of your dog and the potential impact on our sleep pattern. For reference, approximately 41% of small/medium sized dogs and 32% of large dogs sleep on human beds.’ And as with all habits – think carefully before you start. ‘When you go down the path of letting the dog sleep on your bed, it’s harder to get them to stop,’ says Jon. What should I consider when buying a bed? ‘Sizing and comfort are very important,’ says Jon. ‘Larger dogs tend to need more support, or an older dog dealing with incontinence might want a bed that’s easy to clean. Age is a very important factor. As dogs age, the discs in their back harden and they lose flexibility. This means that a dog that once curled up may need to sleep laying straight out as it gets older. Another important factor is temperature regulation. For example, if you find your dog laying on cool tiles during warm months they may be trying to manage their temperature. This is a good indication that Airfoam might be the right choice (something like the Ovis Airfoam Platform Bed, from £199), which provides more air circulation for dogs who run warmer.’

Left: COUCH Sofology Small Dog Sofa £399 sofology.co.uk

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What kinds of beds are out there? Broadly speaking there are four kinds. Wraparound, bolster, platform and couch. Jon says, ‘bolster beds are the most popular because they offer three sided support. This allows for a secure den-like feel in the back and also provides a built in pillow for the dog to rest their head on or lean onto. Bolster beds can also be purchased in larger sizes if you have two dogs that like to sleep together. Wraparound beds are great for dogs that love to curl up. Platform beds are efficient and portable which makes them a great choice for taking on trips or to a secondary location in the house. They also fit well in the back of the car on trips.’ Couch beds give sofa-loving pooches one of their very own – and make a stylish addition to your front room too. And what are the best beds for Westies? ‘The key word here is terrier,’ says Jon. ‘They tend to like burrowing because they were bred to kill rodents and rats which means chasing them down holes. I’d suggest a burrow or wraparound bed.’ What about the skin problems often associated with Westies? ‘You’ll want a bed with a durable and easily removed cover for frequent laundering,’ Jon recommends. ‘Our memory foam beds come with a hypoallergenic water resistant liner to protect the foam and the dog, so they’d be great.’

Whatever you decide – make sure you, and your westie, enjoy your national bed month this year.

This page: OUR BEST BED BUYS BOLSTER Orvis Memory Foam Bolster Bed £210 orvis.co.uk

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Above: WRAPAROUND Amara Lord Lou Diana Pet Bed £69 amara.com

Above: BEST FOR WESTIES For the Burrowers: Very Joules Cambridge Floral Hideaway £29.99 very.co.uk

Right: PLATFORM Silentnight Ultabounce Bed from £24.99 sleepypeople.com

Left: BEST FOR WESTIES Hypoallergenic: Orvis Memory Foam wraparound bed with fleece from £199 orvis.co.uk

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Dazzle on your Dog Walk

STEP INTO SPRING STYLE WITH WARMER WEATHER ON THE WAY (FINGERS CROSSED!) AND AFTER SPENDING LOCKDOWN LIVING IN OUR TRACKY BOTTOMS, IT’S TIME TO UP OUR DOG WALK WARDROBES WITH THESE STYLISH BUYS… BY CHANTELLE HORTON

Radley Backpack With an interior laptop sleeve and multiple pockets this medium sized backpack is suitable for both work and a dog walk. Covered in Radley’s signature Scottie and friends, it’s as cute as it is stylish. £129 radley.co.uk

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Barbour Beadnell Wax Jacket Pretend you’re in The Crown in this beautiful jacket made from waxed cotton with wax satin finish. Stylish touches include pockets lined with traditional Barbour Tartan and the traditional corduroy collar. If it’s good enough for The Queen… £209 barbour.com

Oliver Bonas Honeycomb Camel Scarf How snuggly does this oversized scarf look? This honeycomb pattern in brown, white and pink tones is the perfect springtime pastel buy. £35 oliverbonas.com

Joules Printed Wellies Could there be a more perfect welly for dog lovers? Made from a hardwearing natural rubber, muddy fields will be no problem in these. The adjustable back strap means they keep your legs warm too. £49.95 joules.com

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Dazzle on your Dog Walk

STEP INTO SPRING STYLE

Joules Golightly Printed Waterproof Jacket The Great British springtime is famously unpredictable. This waterproof printed pack away jacket is perfect for folding up and stashing away in the matching bag once the rain stops and the sun comes out. £44.95 joules.com

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Oliver Bonas Animal Print Sweatshirt You certainly won’t get lost in the woods with this gorgeous pink and orange, animal print sweatshirt. With a gathered detailing at the shoulders it’s on trend and will bring brightness to the greyest of days.

M&S Go Move legging If you like to combine your dog walk with a workout, these super stretchy leggings are great for runners. They’re made from breathable, quick dry fabric and the phone pocket and zipped waistband pocket will keep your valuables safe. £25 marksandspencer.com

£39.50 oliverbonas.com

Radley Socks Show your loyalty on your feet with these sweet socks. The perfect gift to yourself, or any dog lover, the cotton-nylon socks are soft and fluffy. Just like Radley’s very own Scottie. £8 radley.co.uk

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Dazzle on your Dog Walk

STEP INTO SPRING STYLE

Mountain Warehouse Beanie You’re never too old for a Pom Pom and this soft knitted beanie is fluffy, warm and looks cute too. Cold ears will love it. £19.99 mountainwarehouse.com

Oliver Bonas Super Soft Sweatshirt Add a pop of colour to your dog walking wardrobe with this loose fit sweatshirt. Will also work perfectly with a pair of jeans. £35 oliverbonas.com

Mountain Warehouse Boots Sturdy enough for the wettest of walks and stylish enough for a trip to the pub afterwards. These waterproof boots are super comfortable as the cushioning moulds to your feet providing extra support. £79.99 mountainwarehouse.com

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Talolo Aztec Funk Cowboy Boot Wellies Why make do with a welly when you can combine two trends in one? These all-weather cowboy boots come in all kinds of funky prints. Made from 100% biodegradable leather, even Davina McCall has been spotted wearing them. £59 taloloboots.com

A Knight to the Rescue

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FROM ACTOR AND CHILDREN’S AUTHOR TO TIME TEAM, TRAINS, AND THE TITANIC, THERE ISN’T MUCH THAT SIR TONY ROBINSON HASN’T ACHIEVED SINCE HIS RISE TO FAME IN BLACKADDER… AND NOW HE’S ADDED ‘WESTIE OWNER’ TO HIS LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS, WRITES KIM LATHAM PHOTO CREDITS

All images supplied by Sir Tony Robinson

“W

esties are like Mini Coopers, small, but boy have they got an engine!” says Sir Tony Robinson after observing just some of the personality traits his rescue Westie, Holly Berry, has slowly chosen to reveal to him and his wife Lady Louise Robinson since rescuing her some eight months ago from the Abbey Street Rehoming Centre, an independently funded branch of the RSPCA Derby & District of which they are now both Patrons. Following the loss of their terrier Winnie (a Yorkie Dachshund cross) around four years ago, Sir Tony and Louise were keen to adopt a rescue dog they could ‘share’. “It took my wife much longer than me to get over Winnie’s death as she was always very much ‘her’ dog rather than ‘our’ dog for no other reason than I was always away filming. Having such a lovely time with Winnie and learning a little bit about dogs and from having the responsibility for Winnie I really wanted to have what I felt would be a dog of my own, not that it wouldn’t be Lou’s dog, but that we could find a dog that we could share”, he says. The couple were determined to find a rescue dog and searched for some time hoping to stumble across a potential match. “I think the more I got to know about animals the more I felt we all have a responsibility towards those dogs that are already alive and while there may be reasons why potential owners feel the

need for a pure breed, I think everybody needs to ask themselves very seriously why wouldn’t I have a rescue before deciding which path to go down, that’s what we felt, and we came to the conclusion we wanted a rescue”, he says. A Hollywood Moment After searching online and just a few weeks into the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Louise spotted a potential match at the RSPCA Derby. While rescuing a dog involves numerous procedures, the fear of the spread of the virus meant some details such as home checks were being conducted online and eventually after plenty of video meetings the partnership was approved. “About halfway there, I was dying to go to the loo, so we pulled into a service station. Now, even before Covid-19 most public loo’s at service stations were closed. I hadn’t really intended to go in to the RSPCA because everyone was starting to get slightly nervous about Covid-19 and I was going to sit in the car but I had to go in so I quickly asked if I could use their loo and when I came out the lady from the RSPCA just plonked the dog in my arms and I thought, yeah, this is it and we went out into a little holding area and I was just sitting there talking to the dog and my wife came over, saw the two of us together, and just burst into tears. It was a Hollywood movie moment that we’d always wanted. I remember a very old film starring Steve McQueen and Natalie Wood called, Love with a

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Proper Stranger, and she says in the film, ‘What I’ve always hoped for was bells and banjos’, and that’s what our moment was with Holly Berry”, he recalls. Holly Berry, 7 1/2 years’ old, was a quiet and very serious little Westie that would take time to settle however enthusiastic her new owners might be to give her a better life. “When she first arrived, it was so upsetting to see her go anywhere near food as she would just defend her territory like crazy and eat it all down. You’d have to keep your hand out of the way, not because she was deliberately going to bite you, but because she just had to get that food down her. She had clearly been starved. Now, she’s a real lady and a bit of a fusspot.” In some ways Covid-19 proved the ideal time for Tony (he’s kindly told me I don’t have to keep calling him Sir) and Louise to offer a permanent home to Holly Berry as it provided the time and space for them to bond with their new canine pal. “I could bond with her very quickly in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to do at

any other time and it also meant we were absolutely able to focus on bringing her back to life again both psychologically and as far as her medication was concerned. It was absolutely fantastic because she was so quiet to start with and it really took the first six months before she came to life again.” Like a Japanese paper flower that blooms once it’s placed in water, Holly Berry began to thrive slowly leaving her previous miserable life behind her. “All the things she had learnt earlier because when I say she was a rescue dog neither me or Lou have pressed the RSPCA about that and I think probably quite appropriately that they were perhaps reluctant to share with us precisely what she’d gone through, but when we first saw her, she had hardly any hair on her body whatsoever, she was a bit like a plucked chicken from Sainsbury’s. Her eyes were very poor, and she had skin issues. Her hearing wasn’t great but now she’s fully furred apart from a little bit of fur missing on her tum. It’s been nearly eight months and I’m quite confident she’ll be fine. She’ll always have a bit of a problem with her eyes, but she’s got the

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“

I think one of the things I would ask all dog owners to do (if they’ve got a little bit of money available) is to think about giving a little bit of it to a dog charity.

”

correct medication. Her hearing seems to be spot on - except when she doesn’t want to hear what I’m telling her.” Those Less Fortunate It is clear Holly Berry has been an absolute joy in the lives of Tony and Louise as the pair have watched her character re-emerge. Unfortunately, it appears many dogs rescued during Covid-19 have been less fortunate as press reports continue to circulate that some owners have returned their rescue dogs back to shelters perhaps because the novelty of having a dog quickly wore off as time went on. Others have had justifiable concerns such as financial troubles and have had little choice. “I think that’s absolutely true. I looked at a piece of research from the Dogs Trust that the last time, I think it was in 2008 when we had a financial crisis, the number of dogs on the streets absolutely rocketed because people could no longer afford to keep them and tragically a lot of dogs were abandoned. Of course, there was also a huge problem with housing them as far as charities are concerned because with the

best will in the world every animal charity wants to help animals in any way they can, but also there has to be a time when they have to say no because they simply can’t. “I think one of the things I would ask all dog owners to do (if they’ve got a little bit of money available) is to think about giving a little bit of it to a dog charity. I know a lot of people are really on the rocks because of Covid-19 but actually there are quite a lot of people who haven’t spent as much as they would normally spend and have still got their jobs and it may well be worth thinking about making a donation to a dog’s charity in order to deal with this problem because with the best will in the world, however much we might admonish potential owners not to abandon their dogs, some people will”, he states. The other thing people can do is to consider fostering a dog. “Obviously, there are procedures, but you can pour an enormous amount of love into them and you can help make them better and you don’t have to have the responsibility of looking after them for a long, long time. It has been

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absolutely rewarding for us adopting Holly Berry and although I would certainly be cautious about suggesting anyone have a dog in lockdown as there are lots of issues around it, there are bonding issues, not just with yourself but with the possibility of not bonding with other people and dogs, but if you really are ready to take on this kind of responsibility and if you are genuinely buying into the idea that this dog is for life then it’s wonderful,” he says. One thing Tony Robinson believes is that if the public understood more about dogs, there would be more of a willingness to look after them and to give them what they need to thrive. A History of Dogs “One of the things I’m very keen on doing, and I’ve talked to dog charities and a number of

programme makers about doing a history of dogs in order that people might understand what it is they’re buying into so that we can discuss the psychology and the relationship with dogs and human beings. You can learn a lot from the archaeology of buried animals, how they’re buried. You know, the mummified cat, I’m absolutely sure wasn’t about cruelty, it was people who loved and respected their animals having them mummified. The number of animals, dogs, horses, who are buried alongside people we assume are their owners, there’s a great lineage, and I think the more we understand what dogs are, how that relationship has developed with people, the more we might gain some kind of understanding about our relationship with them and what kind of responsibility we might have now. A job I can do is to make people think about dogs a bit more rather than just responding with a gut reaction

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about how cute they are, which is understandable, but it isn’t always the best thing”, he says. The ongoing debate about what is best to feed Westies whether it’s raw food, kibble, air-dried or vegan, continues, although Tony isn’t falling into the trap either way. “To be honest, I think that’s more about the preference of the owner than it is necessarily about the dog. If you see virtually any dog in the street, whatever it has been fed on, it’s going to revert to being what it’s always been which is a scavenger. I can understand the morality of people not wanting to feed their dogs meat-based products, but I suggest that most dogs, if they were to have a vote on it, would simply say, can I have whatever is nearest to me, please?”

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Digging a Future Another decision I’m keen to hear about is Tony’s move from acting to documentaries. “It didn’t really work like that at least not in my mind. I had done several Comic Reliefs, going to Africa and reporting back on the investment that was going into the African continent from Comic Relief and how it was being used, and I really enjoyed the format very much. I had been an actor since I was 12 and by that time, I was in my late 30s early 40s. So, I’d been a child actor, I’d been to drama school and had lots of years of acting afterwards and I found the documentary form was freeing. I didn’t want to not be an actor, but I was very keen on being able to say what I thought rather than what my director thought. So, when out of the blue someone who had seen me doing Comic Relief suggested I might want to front a new archaeology show I jumped at it like a shot.

“I think when they first met me, they expected me to simply be a comic performer. They hadn’t realised that (a) I already knew quite a lot about archaeology because I was interested in archaeology and (b) I’d had quite a lot of practise about thinking about the world, I’d always been a very engaged sort of person rather than someone who was only thinking about acting. I’d also been a theatre director, so I knew quite a lot about the idea of making a story so really me and archaeology were a marriage made in heaven. Gradually the more of that work I did the more I was offered until quite frankly the work I was doing on documentaries was far more interesting than anything that I was doing as an actor. If a channel asks you if you would like to go around the world by train and it’s going to take eight months, you’re not going to go, oh darling, I’m so sorry I’ve been asked to do an Ibsen, and likewise, if the following year they say, oh, would you like to go around the world again by train but this time going the other way

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“

My message to your readers? You clearly have the best breed of any dog breed so you’re the luckiest people in the world and never forget it!

” 39

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around, you’re hardly likely to say no! You can see my dilemma. Yes, I loved doing Time Team. It has gone and that’s fine as I did it for 20 years as a freelance and who wouldn’t want a job that lasted 20 years? And when it finally came to an end, I was absolutely philosophical about that. I’m still working which is more than most actors can say during this terrible time.” In fact, while audiences are now used to Tony educating the masses on various documentary programmes, he has never given up acting. “I had a conversation with an old agent of mine and I said I think I might well start doing a bit more acting if there are people out there who would like to see me more in the kind of Michael Palin role rather than purely as a documentary maker so maybe if potential employers would like to see me doing more of that then maybe I’ll slightly shift the emphasis in the future”, he says. Trains, Planes, Automobiles…and Ships In 2002, Tony embarked on the ultimate journey with filmmaker James Cameron for a documentary about the Titanic, the programme cost around US$8 million to make. So how did Tony become involved? “I think they were looking for additional funding for the programme and I think it was mentioned that we’ve got one of Britain’s most well-known presenters, Tony Robinson, who we can probably be talked into doing it and so they asked him if he’d mind going down with me and he agreed to it. I’m pretty sure he didn’t phone me from California to say, hey Tony, I’m going down on the Titanic. I was walking through the corridors of Channel 4 when a commissioning editor who I’d never met stopped me and said Tony, would you like to go down on the Titanic? My first thought was ‘when’ and then oh, but I’ve only got an open water Padi qualification. It was only when I got home and announced it that I suddenly realised quite how amazing it was. I’m like most men. I think most women would react emotionally in that moment, but it takes most men a long time to react to anything. I kept thinking is my passport up to date? Are my swimming trucks too tight?

must keep stum about it, but I thought there are a handful of friends I would like to know beforehand. It was the day it was going to be announced in the press who were going to receive knighthoods and I invited 10 friends over to dinner and then at 10pm I just said, oh, let’s turn on the news, the very first news piece, and there was me being selected to get a knighthood. As you can imagine all my friends went dotty and my wife brought in a happy knighthood cake and there were little toy model knights on each slice. Loads of my friends have still got that little toy knight so that was a stunning day. Prince William was a really nice bloke. He didn’t appear to have any heirs or graces which was a great relief to me he was just like an ordinary bloke. He was a big fan of Time Team and he asked me all about it, and I asked him if he’d ever be prepared to be in it and he said he would, so I actually spent the whole time doing a casting session and he also said he was a big fan of Blackadder. When it had finished, I got up and said goodbye and turned completely the wrong way back into the queue of people going up for their knighthoods”. A Friend for Life While Tony and Louise’s relationship with Holly Berry continues to grow, it’s clear they have gained as much from adopting Holly Berry as she has from being in a loving home. “I’m convinced and I’m sure other Westie owners will have had the same experience; I just genuinely feel that she trusts us, and of course in a sense I spoil her too much because I love her to pieces but I’m also aware that one of the real things about love is it’s got to be tough love as you’ve got to be able to say no to your dog and you’ve got to (my wife is laughing in the background now) but I genuinely believe it. It’s just funny things, the other night for the first time she was asleep under the coffee table and I told her it was time for bed, and normally she would just jump up, but she didn’t want to go to bed and she just feigned deafness! My message to your readers? You clearly have the best breed of any dog breed so you’re the luckiest people in the world and never forget it!

A Knight to Remember “It was an incredibly special day and my wife, my daughter, and my son came, and we dressed up in posh frocks and then we met up with a load of people and went for a fancy Italian afterwards. The moment itself was terrific and an honour. The biggest adventure to be quite honest was the day I broke the news to my friends because you

Westies & Besties - March 2021

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Q&A

How our Westies became our Besties CIARA FARRELL, LIBRARY AND COLLECTIONS MANAGER AT THE UK KENNEL CLUB EXPLAINS THE ORIGINS OF THE WEST HIGHLAND TERRIER BY KRIS MEREDITH, TV & RADIO PRESENTER Kris (K): Tell us the history of our beloved dogs and the Terrier breed that led to the beginning of the West Highland White Terrier? Ciara (C): Dogs have been around for over 14,000 years, perhaps longer, but one thing is they have been with us before cities, agriculture, and anything like that. Dogs and wolves got together to help each other out, millions of years ago. Dogs have what you call flexible morphology which means they come in different shapes and sizes, more so than any other mammal. As humans we look the same, dogs don’t, that’s because they are task-adaptable, so they adapt to the task that humans need them to do. In the case of terriers, they are diggers, they go down holes, they find what’s down the hole, they bite it, and don’t let go, that is what terriers are bred for. Terriers were developed for this in Britain and Ireland many thousands of years ago, but they have been known by that name for many hundreds of years. One of the oldest books we have in The Kennel Club Library is from the 16th Century, and it describes terriers exactly as you would imagine “they go down holes, they nip, bite, make foxes or badgers afraid and pull them out” that’s their job! Terriers have a long history, in these islands, but Scotland is where they are originally from, they would have been doing lots of jobs on farms and with hunters. In Scotland it’s very rugged for terriers, they have a harsh double coat that keeps them warm and waterproof and they have great teeth. They were all lumped together, and just

Top: Ciara Farrell Above: Kris Meredith

Westies & Besties - March 2021

C: Now the story of the west highland terrier begins with a chap called, Colonel Malcolm and the story goes, he had terriers that were reddish/brown, and he was hunting foxes on his estate one day and he thought he was shooting a fox, and he accidently shot one of his terriers. Heartbroken that this had happened, he looked at some of the terriers he had and looked at some of the paler ones and said “I’m going to breed them white, so I never make this mistake again and shoot a dog by accident” now that’s a story, and we don’t know 100% if it’s true, but that’s allegedly how Colonel Malcolm came to breed white terriers. For some reason, a lot of breeders at the same time, thought a white dog, was much weaker and wasn’t good for hunting, so they use to dispose of the white puppies, however, Colonel Malcolm changed that and wanted the white terrier and bred them. He lived in Poltalloch in Scotland and one of the early names of the West Highland Terrier was the Poltalloch Terrier. The dogs he bred back then wouldn’t have

Colonel Malcolm wasn’t the only one breeding white terriers at the time. We’ve also got the Duke of Argyll and then Doctor Flaxman and they all decided to get in on the white terrier act, but the main ancestry will be from Colonel Malcolm and the ones he described breeding on his estate. K: When did the West Highland Terrier become just that? C: The West Highland Terrier got its first big mention in 1891 when a book called the Dogs of Scotland was published and they’re mentioned as their own separate type of terrier as at that point they weren’t really there, they were still a white variation on other terriers, but they developed a bit of a following. People were very keen on them and a breed club was set up for them, and then they started getting separate classes at shows and in 1907 the Kennel Club recognised them as a separate breed of dog as the West highland Terrier breed and that’s what they’ve been ever since.

K: Westies are known as the West Highland Terriers from Scotland but where did the story of the West Highland Terrier begin?

been pure white like our westies now, they were a creamy white. Now one of the books I have from 1903, which is Rawdon Lee’s Modern Terriers book, the author has some correspondence with Colonel Malcolm, and he had some great things to say about the breed. He said “they are not just white, they run between creamy white and sandy. They love all things but love mostly to get away with a young retriever and ruin him forever and teach him everything they should not do. They will make you a friend and he will know everything about you” so the Poltalloch Terrier is full of character and hunting instinct, and full of naughtiness by the sounds of it.

Q&A

called Scottish terries. These days we have got, Cairn Terriers, Border Terriers, Scottish Terriers, West Highland Terriers and Sky Terriers. We have got the whole range of different terriers from Scotland, but once upon a time, they were all just hairy little dogs from Scotland, and they were just terriers. They were all used for different tasks such as hunting foxes, badges, otters and keeping down rats and mice, and other jobs on the farm.

C: Most of our dogs are unemployed now to be honest, we’ve got 222 breeds of dogs recognised by the Kennel Club and the overwhelming majority of them are beloved pets and don’t work on farms, they don’t hunt, they don’t do the things that dogs have traditionally done, but they have not lost the skills. You’ll see a terrier still has a strong jaw and they still kill socks and toys. Things like this to them are rats, otters and foxes and they will hang onto them and shake them until they’re dead, just like their ancestors did with real prey but now this is replaced with toys. The West Highland Terrier is a muscular tough little dog and has got that great weatherproof coat and they are quite strong, lively and a little stubborn, very intelligent and they could still do farm work if the need was there.

Q&A

K: How has the west highland terrier and dogs in general changed over the years?

C: They’re very good-looking dogs, I know you probably think they are the most beautiful dogs alive. They are very striking, and that white coat is so beautiful, and they’ve got great personalities and like a lot of their terrier cousins they are very adaptable which means they can live in cities and small spaces and as long as they’re getting out and about for their walks, they’ll be happy with that. A West Highland Terrier is also popular from being in the media sometimes, it doesn’t hurt for them to be featured a little bit and the westie has been popular in children’s books, adverts and movies. So, the westie does well on this basis of being well known in the media and because they’re very cute!

K: Why do you think the West highland Terrier has become so popular over the years?

C: I think they’re so characterful, each one of them has such a strong personality. I’ve known a couple quite well in my life and they are really great fun and people have such a partnership with them rather than an ownership. They’re loyal, they’ll do things for you, but because they want to, not because they feel like they have to. I feel like you’ve got an agreement with them about what they will do and it’s what they want to do. I don’t think you’re probably the boss of them particularly and I think that’s something that is appealing about lots of dogs, but I think it’s something that West Highland Terrier owners will recognise that they’ve got a partner and a friend.

Westies & Besties - March 2021

K: What do you love most about the West Highland Terrier breed?

Q&A

K: Ciara, you are the Library and Collections Manager at The Kennel Club, for any readers that don’t know, what is the Kennel Club? C: The Kennel Club was founded in 1873 and it was founded first for the newly emerging sports of dog showing and field trials. Right now, we’re the largest organisation in the UK dedicated to the health, welfare and training of dogs. Our work is about ensuring that dogs can live happy healthy lives with responsible owners and one of our key aims is to ensure that dog owners choose the right breed for their lifestyle. K: The Kennel Club holds Crufts every year, why do you think Crufts has become so popular with dog lovers and breeders alike?

K: We have to talk about the West Highland Terrier Devon, who in 2016, won the Crufts title Best in Show, what made her the winner in your opinion? C: Champion Burneze Geordie Girl is her Kennel Club name and Devon is her pet name. She was young when she won, and judges just saw something special in her. I met her she’s delightful and a lot of the winners come to the Kennel Club for a lovely day out to do press and meet the staff and so on. Devon, she was very cuddly and so lovely. Her breeder Marie, who is also her owner and handler came with her and she was such a nice woman too. We did have Olac Moon Pilot in 1990 this was our other West Highland Terrier Crufts winner but that’s way before my time with the Kennel Club however, both are very deserving winners.

C: Crufts is such a great show, it was set up by Charles Cruft in 1891 and from the beginning it was a big and popular dog show. It wasn’t quite as popular as Charles Cruft wanted, so what he would do, is tell the papers that it was the largest dog show in the world, they would write that down and the legend became true! Since then, it has become the biggest and most popular dog show ever. Charles got himself lots of press and lots of mentions and he even got Queen Victoria to enter the competition and she had never entered any other dog show, but she entered

Crufts! Unfortunately, she didn’t turn up herself she sent one of her people, but she still entered a dog and competed at Crufts twice. Crufts celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, we have our fingers crossed that Crufts 2021, which traditionally happens in March, will be held in July, we are still not sure what shape it’s going to take at this point, but we are seriously hoping that we will get our 130th show done this July.

Westies & Besties - March 2021

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Westies & Besties - March 2021

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