Weeranian (Westie & Pomeranian Mix): Care, Pictures, Info & More

Are you looking for a small, spirited, affectionate canine companion with a cute, scruffy appearance? If so, the Weeranian, a delightful mix between a West Highland White Terrier and a Pomeranian, may be your perfect match! With their beaming personalities housed in compact, fuzzy bodies, Weeranians are charming more and more dog lovers every day. Let‘s take a closer look at what makes these little charmers so special.

Breed Overview

The Weeranian is a relatively new designer dog breed developed by crossing a purebred West Highland White Terrier (Westie) with a purebred Pomeranian (Pom). The resulting hybrid inherits a mix of physical traits and temperament qualities from each parent breed. Since this is a fairly rare crossbreed, there isn‘t a breed standard, but here‘s a general overview of what you can expect:

• Weight: 7-14 pounds
• Height: 7-12 inches
• Coat: Medium length double coat, wiry or fluffy texture, sheds moderately
• Coat colors: White, cream, tan, red, black or parti-colored
• Lifespan: 12-16 years
• Temperament: Lively, playful, intelligent, affectionate, alert, vocal

Parent Breeds

To understand the Weeranian‘s traits, it helps to know a bit about their purebred parents. Westies originated in Scotland where they were prized for their prowess in hunting small game like rats, foxes and badgers. Today, these plucky terriers are beloved companion dogs known for their confident, spirited yet friendly demeanors.

In contrast, Pomeranians descend from large sled dogs but were downsized over time to become adorable toy breeds. Often called "the ideal companion," Poms are vivacious, inquisitive extroverts who adore being the center of attention. With their abundant energy, intelligence and self-assurance, they can have a "big dog" personality packed into a petite body.

Weeranian Appearance

Since the Weeranian is a mix of two breeds, there can be quite a bit of variation in appearance between individual dogs. In general, they are small in stature with compact, sturdy bodies and an overall cute, teddy bear-like look.

Weeranian coats are typically a mix between a Westie‘s straight, wiry outer coat and fluffy undercoat and a Pom‘s thick, lustrous double coat that stands off from the body. Coat texture ranges from wiry to soft and fluffy. Shedding is moderate year-round with heavier shedding during seasonal changes.

The most common coat color is white, sometimes with patches of tan, black or red. But they can also come in solid red, tan, black or cream. Their cute, expressive faces feature dark, almond-shaped eyes, a black nose, and erect, triangular ears. A Weeranian‘s head is slightly rounded with a medium-short muzzle.

Weeranian Temperament

Weeranians are lively, outgoing dogs who love adventure and thrive on human companionship. They inherit a double dose of spunk, smarts and spirit from their Westie and Pom parents, which can be both delightful and challenging. With attentive training and socialization, their more bossy, stubborn tendencies can be channeled into playful antics and devoted affection.

True to their terrier roots, Weeranians tend to be alert watchdogs who will readily bark to announce visitors or suspicious noises. While they bond closely with their families, they can be aloof or nervous around strangers if not properly socialized. These are moderately active pups who need plenty of daily play sessions and interactive games to keep them happy.

Weeranians generally get along well with older children and other dogs when raised together. But they may not be ideal for homes with very small kids as their high energy and tendency to chase can lead to accidental injuries. Homes with small pets like rodents, birds or cats should take caution as Weeranians have a strong prey drive.

Training Your Weeranian

Start training your clever Weeranian puppy as soon as you bring them home. These eager to please pups pick up new skills quickly with consistent, positive methods like clicker training and lots of praise. But they do have an independent streak and can get bored easily, so keep sessions short and fun with plenty of variety.

Socialization is also key to help your Weeranian puppy grow into a confident, well-mannered adult dog. Expose them gradually to new people, places, sights, sounds, smells and textures, rewarding them generously for staying calm. Let them meet friendly, gentle dogs and allow them to approach new people at their own pace, never forcing interaction.

Some Weeranians can be prone to excessive barking, so it‘s important to teach the "quiet" command early on. Puzzle toys that reward them for figuring out how to access treats can provide much-needed mental exercise. Don‘t forget to puppy-proof your home and yard as Weeranians may try to bolt through open doors in pursuit of neighborhood critters.

Weeranian Health and Care

Like all dogs, Weeranians have potential genetic health issues that can be inherited from their parent breeds. Reputable breeders should screen their dogs for eye disorders like cataracts and PRA, patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and hypothyroidism. A healthy Weeranian lifespan averages around 12-16 years with proper care.

To keep your Weeranian‘s coat looking its best, brush them at least 2-3 times per week to remove tangles and distribute skin oils. Trim their nails regularly and check their ears weekly for signs of infection like redness, discharge or odor. Small breed dogs are prone to dental disease, so daily tooth brushing is ideal. And since little dogs have little tummies, split their daily portion into 2-3 smaller meals to maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent overeating.

Finding Your Weeranian

If you think the winsome Weeranian would be a great fit for your family, check with small breed rescue groups first. Since this is a relatively uncommon mixed breed, you may need to expand your search to surrounding states. If opting for a breeder puppy, be extremely selective. Avoid anyone offering multiple designer breeds or breeding dogs under a year old.

Responsible breeders welcome questions and will be happy to show you proof that their puppies‘ parents have been health tested. Expect to pay $800-$2000 depending on the breeder and location. Consider all the costs of caring for a dog beyond the initial price. Small dogs like Weeranians can rack up hefty vet bills for dental work and injury stitches over a 15+ year lifespan. Quality food, grooming and pet sitting are other ongoing expenses to factor in.

Final Thoughts

Whip-smart, playful and captivating, Weeranians can be ideal companions for the right owners willing to put in the time to train and socialize them properly. Showering these impish little charmers with attention, playtime and cuddles will be repaid tenfold in loving, loyal devotion for many years to come. Just make sure your lifestyle and budget can accommodate a high-energy, long-lived small dog before signing on for a 15 year commitment. With proper care and training, the winsome Weeranian will worm their way into your heart in no time!