Are Westiepoos good in hot weather?
Westiepoos tolerate warm weather reasonably well. Sensible summer habits are still worth having in place before the first heatwave.
How Westiepoos handle the heat
The cooling problem
Westiepoos cool themselves through normal panting without the added handicap of a flat face or a heavy northern coat. A healthy dog of this type manages typical UK summers without much drama.
Practical summer management
Shift walks to early morning and late evening, and skip them entirely on the hottest days. Carry water on every outing, provide deep shade in the garden, and give access to cool floors indoors. The pavement test is simple: press the back of your hand to the ground for seven seconds, and if it is too hot for your hand it is too hot for paws.
Never leave any dog in a parked car, conservatory, or caravan, even briefly and even with a window open. Interior temperatures climb to lethal levels within minutes.
Exercise in warm weather
Westiepoos have moderate exercise needs, which makes summer easier to manage. It is straightforward to shift their activity into the cooler hours without leaving them under-exercised.
What temperature is too hot?
There is no single cutoff, because humidity, age, weight, and coat all matter. As a guide, take extra care above 20C and treat anything above 25C as high risk for any dog during exercise. When in doubt, keep them home and cool.
Personality and summer walks
The Westiepoo (West Highland White Terrier × Poodle) is a perky, low-shedding hybrid that merges the Westie's bold independence with the Poodle's eager trainability. A compact companion with genuine terrier spirit.
A playful dog can be coaxed into another round of fetch even while overheating, since the drive to keep playing does not come with a built-in instinct to stop and rest. Friendly dogs still want to greet visitors and other walkers in warm weather, and it takes deliberate management to keep those interactions brief when the temperature is high. Intelligent dogs learn to seek out cool floors and shaded spots on their own after experiencing a hot day, adapting their behaviour without much prompting from an owner.
Heat, training and behaviour
Teaching a dog to settle in the shade
Westiepoos respond reasonably well to basic settle training, which helps on hot days when the aim is simply to keep the dog calm and off its feet during the warmest hours.
Barking and restlessness in a heatwave
Westiepoos bark a moderate amount day to day, and that can increase during a heatwave if the dog is uncomfortable and unable to settle properly.
Family and other pets in a heatwave
Westiepoos generally do well around children, though hot weather adds a job for parents: making sure excitable play with kids in the garden does not run on longer than the dog can safely handle. A cat in the same household should have its own cool retreat well away from this breed, heat or no heat.
Cost and ageing in hot weather
Westiepoos typically live 12 to 15 years, and older dogs of any breed regulate heat less efficiently than a fit adult, so senior westiepoos need shorter, cooler outings and closer watching during a heatwave. Insurance for a Westiepoo in the UK typically costs about £18 to £42 a month, and heatstroke is exactly the kind of sudden, serious vet visit that cover exists for. A Westiepoo puppy, usually priced around £900 to £2200, overheats more easily than an adult dog as well, since puppies have less developed temperature regulation and tire without always showing it.
Full guide to Westiepoos
Read the complete Westiepoo guide →