West Highland White Terriers, often affectionately called "Westies", typically require professional grooming every three months.
This three-month interval is a general guideline. You might consider adjusting the frequency based on the season. During warmer summer months, you may want to groom your Westie more frequently to keep them comfortable. In the colder winter months, you can often extend the time between grooming sessions. Also, some Westies naturally grow their fur faster than others, necessitating more frequent grooming appointments. On average, you can expect to groom your Westie three to four times per year, supplemented with regular at-home maintenance. This ensures that their iconic white coat remains healthy and beautiful. Consistent at-home care, like brushing, is also essential in maintaining their coat between professional groomings.
Here are some basic steps involved in a Westie grooming session:
1. Use straight shears to trim the hair around the anal area.
2. Use a #10 electric clipper to trim the decorative hair on the ears, focusing on the top 1/4 of the ear and trimming both the inside and outside.
3. Use straight shears to tidy up and even the edges of the ears.
4. Start from the occipital bone and use a #4 electric clipper to shave the hair following the direction of growth down to the base of the tail. Then, shave the hair from the side of the occipital bone down to the elbow. Next, shave the body from the side down to 1cm above the elbow, moving sequentially towards the back to the highest point where the waist and abdomen meet, using an angled line towards the ischium.
5. Use a #4 electric clipper to shave the fur from the throat down to the breastbone and the upper arm bone (forming a triangle shape). Also, shave against the direction of growth from the base of the ear to the throat.