The word wonderful doesn’t just apply to people, places, and things; dog breeds that start with the letter W are wonderful too.
Many dog breeds start with this letter, so we’ve narrowed it down to just seven breeds that are incredibly popular now.
If you’re in the market for a new pooch, one of these dogs may be perfect for you. Please keep reading to learn more about them all.
Dog breeds that start with W
Below outlined are the dog breeds that start with W;
Weimaraner
What You Need To Know About The Weimaraner.
The Weimaraner is a large dog originally bred in Germany to hunt big game like deer and bear.
Today, they’re still used for hunting, but they’re also popular family pets.
They’re intelligent and obedient but also high-energy and require a lot of exercise.
If you’re looking for a Weimaraner, be prepared to pay a pretty penny – they’re one of the most expensive dog breeds.
Characteristics: agile, graceful, independent thinkers.
Size: 24-28 inches tall at the shoulder; weight 60-90 pounds
Health: Life expectancy 10-12 years,
Temperament: Good with kids and other animals when socialized early on.
Active Lifespan: 6 hours per day plus vigorous play sessions.
Common Disease: Dilated cardiomyopathy (heart enlargement)
Feeding: A good quality dry or raw meat diet can meet nutritional needs.
Exercise: A long walk daily will keep them fit and healthy and provide bonding time between owner and pet.
Grooming: A weekly brushing should suffice, but many owners opt for more frequent professional grooming services if needed.
The Weimaraner is an intelligent, active breed that needs lots of attention from its owner to stay happy.
As such, it’s not ideal for people who work long hours or are constantly on the go.
Still, if you have plenty of time to devote to your dog, a Weimaraner could make a great addition to your family.
Pros: Intelligent, loyal
Cons: Needs a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation
Weimardoodle
A Weimardoodle is a cross between a Weimaraner and a Standard Poodle. These dogs are known for their friendly and social nature, as well as their high intelligence.
They make great family pets and are good at obedience training and agility courses.
However, they do require regular exercise and grooming.
The average lifespan of this breed is 10-14 years.
Characteristics: Friendly, intelligent, needs exercise and grooming.
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Health: Some health issues in these dogs include hip dysplasia, heart problems, ear infections, skin allergies, and bloat.
Grooming: Their coat needs brushing every week to avoid matting.
Feeding: Meals should contain about 30% protein and 15% fat.
Exercise: Walk your dog for about 20 minutes each day. If you have access to an off-leash area, let them run free.
Cleanliness: Be sure to brush your pet’s teeth two or three times per week and use a flea comb on them daily.
Keep their nails trimmed so they don’t scratch furniture or themselves.
Welsh Corgi
The Welsh Corgi is a small type of herding dog that originated in Wales. There are two main types of Welsh Corgi: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are more common and have shorter legs, while Cardigan Welsh Corgis are less common and have longer legs.
Both types of Welsh Corgi are intelligent, friendly, and loyal dogs that make great family pets.
They require moderate exercise but do not need to be walked on a leash or taken for regular runs.
They can jump, so keeping anything breakable out of their reach is necessary.
They can live up to 12 years if taken care of properly, but some may have an average lifespan as short as eight years due to congenital health problems such as hip dysplasia and cataracts.
Characteristics: Intelligent, Friendly, Loyal; Moderate Exercise Needed; Leash-less Walks Possible;
Average Lifespan: 8-12 Years.
Health Problems: Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts (Congenital).
Personality: Smart, Helpful, and Alert.
Size: Small – 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Feeding: Pembroke Welsh Corgis should eat 2 1/2 cups of high-quality dry food daily.
As a puppy, feeding them three times per day is essential, gradually changing to twice daily when they’re adults.
They don’t require additional vitamins unless fed exclusively dry food.
Common Diseases: Because Pembrokes are prone to hip dysplasia and cataracts, it’s recommended that prospective owners purchase from breeders who screen for these conditions and follow the breed’s recommended feeding guidelines closely.
Grooming: Pembroke Welsh Corgis need very little grooming because they only shed about once a year.
Their coat requires occasional brushing and combing. Baths should be given every month or two, depending on how dirty the dog gets.
It’s also essential to check their ears regularly for signs of infection or dirtiness and clean them with cotton balls dampened with an ear cleaner solution.
They may also need teeth brushing using toothpaste made especially for dogs since eating crunchy foods like carrots will increase plaque buildup in their teeth over time.
Welsh Terrier
The Welsh Terrier is a small, cheerful breed that loves people and other dogs. They make great family pets and are known for being loyal, affectionate, and easy to train.
Welsh Terriers are also active and playful, so they need plenty of exercises.
If you’re looking for a fun-loving, energetic companion, the Welsh Terrier might be the perfect breed for you.
Characteristics: alert, lively, confident;
Size: medium;
Life Span: 13 – 15 years;
Activity Level: high
Feeding: Three main types of food should be fed to your Welsh Terrier: adult maintenance formula, puppy food, and senior food.
Adult maintenance formula is usually recommended for Welsh Terriers who weigh less than 30 pounds or have a sedentary lifestyle.
Puppy food should be given to Welsh Terriers between 6 months and two years old who weigh more than 30 pounds but less than 60 pounds.
Senior food should only be given if your Welsh Terrier is over seven years old or weighs around 65 pounds.
Grooming: The smooth, short coat of the Welsh Terrier is relatively easy to groom.
Brush once per week using a firm bristled or bristle brush and bathe as needed.
Trim nails as needed and wipe clean their eyes weekly with a damp cloth.
When your Welsh Terrier sheds heavily twice per year, brush daily during this time to prevent matting in their fur.
Common Disease: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) may affect Welsh Terriers at any age and eventually lead to blindness.
Breeders can test for PRA before breeding, but there is no cure available at this time.
As such, it’s essential to watch for signs like a lack of response to sound or light, mood changes (inactivity), decreased appetite, and increased thirst.
Dogs with PRA can live a happy life even after losing sight by learning to get around without sight through basic training.
West Highland Terrier
The West Highland Terrier, or Westie, is a small, independent dog breed from Scotland.
They were originally bred to hunt foxes and rodents in the Highlands, and today they make excellent companion animals.
Westies are relatively easy to train and are known for being good-natured and playful.
This breed has common health problems, including allergies, hip dysplasia, and von Willebrand disease.
Characteristics: They are a relatively intelligent breed, it is important not to let them become bored, or they will develop destructive habits.
Westies can adapt well to most climates but do not tolerate extreme heat well. As a result, these dogs shed little and require minimal grooming.
Health: Generally healthy. Some possible health issues include allergies, hip dysplasia, and von Willebrand disease.
Grooming: Minimal grooming is required.
Intelligence: Generally intelligent, must keep entertained or may resort to destructive behavior. Do not tolerate hot weather well.
Westiepoo
The Westiepoo is a mixed breed of a Poodle and a West Highland White Terrier. They are active and friendly and make great family pets.
They can be trained to do tricks and are very intelligent. However, they need daily exercise and plenty of mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
The Westiepoo is a hypoallergenic breed, which makes them a good choice for people with allergies.
Characteristics: playful, alert, confident, loyal.
Size: Small
Weight: 15-25 pounds.
Coat types: Fluffy or wiry coat;
Color varieties: Black and white or salt and pepper.
Exercise needs: Playful dogs should get two thirty-minute walks per day and will enjoy trips to the park or dog park where they can run off some energy with their owners.
Training needs: Basic obedience training is recommended for this clever breed; the more you teach your pup, the better he’ll behave.
Grooming needs: Brush regularly but do not brush too hard, as this delicate pup’s coat could easily be damaged.
Common diseases: Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) caused by Canine Distemper Virus (CDV).
Risk factors: being bred from 2 close relatives.
Symptoms: seizures, fever, lethargy, paresis (partial paralysis), blindness, and death within seven days.
Treatment options: anti-viral drugs like Ribavirin may slow disease progression; supportive therapy with fluids and pain medication for seizures in later stages of illness.
Adequate ventilation to prevent pneumonia in the later stages of illness if the patient cannot swallow adequate fluids on his own.
Wire Fox Terrier
The Wire Fox Terrier is a lively, determined, and playful breed that loves to be active.
They are also very loyal and affectionate, making them great family pets. Originally bred in England to hunt foxes, these dogs still have a strong prey drive and love to chase small animals.
Characteristics: Brave, Smart, Loyal
Feeding: It’s best to feed your Wire Fox Terrier two or three times per day, at least half an hour after exercise or playtime.
With such a high energy level, it’s important not to let your dog get too hungry before feeding time, or they may act out.
Most owners feed their dogs dry kibble twice per day, but some choose to give canned food once per day as well because of its convenience and variety of flavors.
If you go this route, ensure it doesn’t contain any sugar, leading to diabetes and obesity.
Exercise Requirement: High;
Height Range: 7-12 inches
Grooming: A Wire Fox Terrier requires minimal grooming care. Twice-weekly brushing should be enough to keep shedding under control and keep the coat clean and healthy-looking.
Occasional bathing might be necessary, depending on how dirty your pup gets outside.
These low-maintenance dogs will do just fine with only one bath per year.
Weekly teeth brushing should also be part of the grooming routine, especially if you notice tartar buildup or bad breath during dental exams.
Ensure your pup always has fresh water (we recommend a stainless steel water dish).
Common Disease: Benign Brain Tumor;
Conclusion
In conclusion, these seven popular dog breeds that start with the letter W are just a few of many other great dogs.
A variety of dog breeds can be found in almost every city and town, so if you’re looking for a new pet to add to your family, look no further than your local shelter or rescue center.
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