We are a club of Westie owners, fanciers, and enthusiasts who joined together to promote our breed and have fun with our Westies and friends.  Our Westie Club was formed in 1977 by a small group of enthusiastic Westie owners to promote cooperation and friendship among breeder and owners of Westies. 

We offer Westie education, breed guidance, and support to Westie owners and the fancy.  We promote responsible dog ownership, breeding, and health care.  We offer programs, fun matches, an annual Westie Specialty show, appropriate activities for the benefit and education of Westies owners and fanciers.

We pledge to protect our breed from exploitation, indiscriminate or irresponsible breeding, and pet overpopulation by encouraging spaying and neutering of pet quality Westies.  We require that our Westie Club member breeders conduct their breeding programs responsibly at all times. We support all members’ diversified interests in exhibiting in conformation, obedience, rally, agility, tracking, earthdog, etc. We expect our members to exemplify good sportsmanship and conduct at all times.  We require that all members accept our breed standard as approved by the AKC and our parent club, the West Highland White Terrier Club of America.

Our club is a non-profit organization; all positions and committees are filled by volunteers from our membership. We meet 6 times a year. Our annual dog show is in early spring. The Westie News, our club newsletter, is published 6 times a year.

We are the only AKC Westie Club in Arizona.  We would enjoy getting to know you and your Westie(s).  If you have questions about Westie grooming, showing, training, health, nutrition, or other Westie issues, then our club is for you.  We would enjoy meeting you and learning about your Westie(s).  Bring your Westie stories, tales, and photos to one of our coming Westie Club events.

Westies and their Games

Agility

Westies find the sport of Agility fun and exciting. It is a real confidence builder and Westies are quick to learn the obstacles. It helps to have a good obedience background, as the dog must run the course off leash. Agility is divided up into four levels of competition, Novice, Open, Excellent and Preferred. The last level allows the dog to jump at the height at which it is most comfortable. In 2003, the AKC reports that 160 Agility titles were earned by Westies nationwide.

Obedience

Obedience teaches manners as well as demonstrates your control over your Westie’s actions, it also demonstrates the bond you have with your Westie since it requires their careful attention to you and your actions. Obedience is also divided up into three levels, Novice, Open and Utility and the level of difficulty increases at each level. In Novice the dog is required to heel both on and off leash, come when called and stay on command. By the time Westie and handler reach Utility, everything is off leash, requires hand signals, jumping and scent recognition. Westies who pass a basis obedience test can earn the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen title. Thirty-three Westies nationwide earned a title in obedience in 2003 according to the AKC.

Rally Obedience

Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.

Earthdog

Earthdog trials test the Westie’s ability to “go to ground” to locate prey. The Westie is required to enter an underground tunnel, locate the caged rats at the end, make known to his handler that he has found the prey by barking and/ or digging, and give up the pursuit when required. There are three levels of competition Junior, Senior and Master, with an Introduction to Quarry event as a non-regular class to test aptitude. Tunnels at each level become more complex and require the dog to “think” about what he must do. In 2003, 35 Westies nationwide earned an Earthdog title, but many more enjoyed the fresh air and fun of the hunt.

Tracking

Tracking tests assess a dog’s natural abilitiesof scent paired with some training in the art of tracking. Tracking involves the dog using its nose to follow a human scent line to locate specific items in a non-competitive setting. Westie owners get involved in tracking for a variety of reasons, but the fact that it is an outdoor activity shared with your dog is a primary reason. According to the AKC, 13 Westies nationwide earned their Tracking Dog title in 2003 and one Westie earned his Tracking Dog Excellent title.