West Highland White Terriers are prized possessions for dog owners, particularly those of you that cherish that luxurious, long white coat. The plush, thick coats consist of a double coat - a cottony undercoat and an outer coat of hard straight, white hair. Although the white coat makes for a distinctive look, it can also become the bane of your existence - given that the Westies love to dive into holes or digging their own in the backyard. Unfortunately, since your West Highland White Terrier has sensitive skin, he can only be bathed sparsely, although sometimes bathing is needed more often. So why should Westies be bathed infrequently, exactly, and what should you do if he need more than the usual requirement?

Frequent bathing your West Highland White Terrier will deprive his sensitive skin of the natural oils that are produced to help keep the white coat healthy. If you bathe your Westie too often, you must take the natural oils into consideration, because the oil glands could eventually cease production. As a result, your pet's skin could become flaky, itchy and quite uncomfortable. Due to this condition, many Westie clubs and associations recommend washing your Westie only three or four times a year. Although this is a good general rule, you should definitely wash him if he rolls in something particularly nasty.

Some owners, perhaps yourself, may prefer to have your West Highland White Terrier groomed by a professional groomer. To take full advantage of the freshly cut hair, many owners choose to bathe their pet every four to six weeks. Many owners choose to get a variety of cuts. It's really up to the person. It's your dog so why not have fun with his or her hair?

In a very few circumstances, it is necessary to bathe your West Highland White Terrier more often than every four weeks. Allergies and other skin disorders may require a medicated shampoo prescribed by the veterinarian. On the other hand, your West Highland White Terrier may produce an excess of natural oils and more frequent baths will help remove them. It's important not to bathe too frequently. Many of these oils are good for the Westies coat and help prevent skin irritations. Each dog is different, so try to find a time frame that allows your pups skin to be balanced and healthy. Those dogs that spend a great deal of time outside may often find smelly things to roll around in. Of course, there are some owners who simply prefer for their dog to be bathed more often.

If you do decide that you either prefer to or need to bathe your West Highland White Terrier, it would be best to consult with your local veterinarian about the proper bathing products to help keep your pet's skin in its best health. There are specially formulated products for Westies that should always take preference over any other formulas, unless recommended by your vet. There are also specialized conditioners and rinses to help keep your Westie's skin healthy, which is just as important as keeping your dog clean. A clean, healthy Westie is a happy pet.