I’m a dog groomer & 2 breeds seem to be getting bigger & heavier in recent years – they’re temperamental and stink, too
A DOG groomer has started to notice how some pooches are putting on the pounds.
They shared how two breeds in particular were not only starting to change shape but also exhibiting bad behaviors.
They were taking note of the noticeable changes they had witnessed.
“Anyone else getting big Scotties lately?” the groomer asked in a post on Pet Groomer Forums.
“For the past several years, the Scotties and Westies have been getting bigger and much heavier bodied,” they added.
And that wasn’t the only difference they had noticed in the dogs.
They explained how their legs also seemed to be getting shorter and more “crooked” in the front.
They blamed the pets’ parents for at least part of it.
“The owners fatten them up,” they said.
“Almost can’t do front legs on them anymore.”
They also had to put up with another pungent problem.
“And they stink – really oily coats and tons of skin problems that are just awful to cure,” they said.
“Really temperamental, too.”
They were certainly not making their job any easier.
“The Scotties have really big heavy jaws and big teeth,” they said.
“They don’t snap – they really bite hard and will fight the muzzle and thrash their head till they get it off.”
They weren’t sure if the modifications were being done purposefully by breeders, but regardless of the reason, they wanted to stay away from these troublesome types.
“I’m scared they will harm themselves or I will hurt it just trying to wrestle it for doing feet,” they said.
“After grooming one I can’t get the stink off of me and everything has to be washed.
“Yuck! Getting turned off Scotties and Westies.”
The Scottish terrier is a solidly compact canine according to the American Kennel Club.
The average Scottie is ten inches tall with males weighing up to 22 pounds and females averaging 18 to 21 pounds.
Signs your dog could turn dangerous
Expert advice from Dr. Sara Ochoa, who has been practicing veterinary medicine for over five years.
Ochoa told The U.S. Sun observing a dog’s behavior can provide clues that they might act out.
“A dog that looks tense all over with its fur sticking up or teeth showing is more likely to snap,” she said.
“Staring real hard without blinking could mean trouble too.
“Growling is also a warning the dog is getting mad.”
She said dogs may tuck their tail between their legs when they feel scared or threatened.
“Staying calm and keeping space may help things not to escalate if a dog seems on edge,” she said.
They are described as being known for their short stature and wiry topcoat.
These hunters also enjoy brisk walks.
Meanwhile, the West Highland white terrier, known as the Westie, should weigh between 13 and 15 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club.
The ideal proportions are 11 inches at the withers for the males and eight inches for the females.
They are usually known for their “good balance.”
Their body between the withers and the root of the tail is slightly shorter than the height at the withers.
They are also short-coupled and have a roundish appearance.
Another user could relate to their story about one of the breeds.
“I love the Westies, I do, and the three Scotties I see are all really good, but one is huge – 35 pounds last vet visit – and another one has those terrible legs,” they wrote.
“She had to have metal plates put on both of them because of some weird bone disease,” they added.
The commenter also had beef with another breed – the schnauzer.
“All of them look alike and scream bloody murder if you touch their beards or try and shave their heads or ears,” they said.
“They all are puppy store purchases and are under a year old so I’m betting on bad breeding. Your situation is probably the same. Greedy people breeding bad quality dogs for profit.”
Yet another shared their own horror tales.
“There was a basset and Scottie mix that used to come into the shop I was at. That thug was like a Scottie on steroids. He was huge and nasty,” said the commenter.
“Evil, no good dog, unpredictable, big fat teeth, and horrid. I refused to touch him and watched as another groomer went to war with him every time he came in.”