Welcome to our guide to the Wee-Chon.
The Wee-Chon is a mix of two different breeds, the Bichon Frise and the Westie.
Why Choose a Wee-Chon?
Hayley Berrisford: “Wee-chon chose us! We wanted a small family pet, suitable for apartment living. My son was having a hard time at school (4 years of bullying), struggling socially and emotionally. We wanted a dog to help him. Just since April our son is so much better, no regrets.”
Emma Woods Edwards: “My weechon and her siblings who went to other families where pretty naughty pups/ young dogs which I wasn’t a fan of. Not sure if that’s breed specific as she was my first weechon. From about the age of 2 though she became a dream. I miss her so much.”
Andy Bruus: “Lucy is loving and funny. She was a very well behaved pup and she is my extra shadow. We love her to bits!”
Kerry Stobbs: “Wee-chons are loveable, friendly little characters. Great with people and very sociable if brought up right and Easy to train…Worse thing I’ve found is the barking and keeping them clean.. And they tend to suffer from skin complaints (as do most white dogs).”
Kevin Kerr: “Always had rescue dogs till we moved to Cornwall. As we were in a flat we couldn’t adopt, lot of research to find a reputable breeder. A breeder who wasn’t just after money actually wanted to know about us and the home we could give. We saw poppy on their website, a five hour drive, arriving at 9.30pm to a little fur ball, jumping up and down on her back legs in excitement. Fell in love that second with her. She is the most loving, friendly dog I have ever known. She got fed up with us potty training her and trained herself. Very very intelligent puppy, her intelligence amazes us. She goes everywhere we go and is a proper rural dog. Loves rock climbing, swimming, exploring. Loves the beach, knows all her walks and which way to go. Couldn’t ask for a more loving dog.”
Julie Ruggiero: “I like their joyous characters. I dislike how difficult they are to housetrain. Saying that I would never have another breed.”
John Walliss: “I’d never heard of Weechon’s until we went looking initially for a Westie, but it was love at first sight with Clover who is very loving (I think they are an ideal dogs for people who want to cuddle their dogs on the sofa at night or in bed). She also likes sleeping a lot. She is often shy and timid around other dogs, or very excitable around dogs she likes or knows well. The same goes for humans: if she gets attention from anyone she will be very affectionate back to them, sometimes with a little bum wiggle.
She is very territorial and will bark and climb up against the window like a meercat if a dog is walking past or there is a cat in the back garden. As Kerry Stobbs says, they can be tough to keep clean – if you go on a walk on a muddy day, it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that you will need to give them a shower afterwards as their undercarriage is so low to the ground. She also REALLY doesn’t like going to the groomers, but I think this is just her.”
What Colours are Most Popular?
John Walliss: “White.”
The DogExperts.info website aims to ask questions to breeders, vets and experienced owners to get the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Wee-Chon breed of dog.
You can also help too!
If you can answer any of the questions below, then please add your comments to the box at the bottom of the page or you can email us at sales@dogexperts.info.
We would love to feature your dog and publish any photos or pictures of your Wee-Chon you would like to email us.
Are you looking to buy a Wee-Chon – then see our list of Wee-Chon breeders.
What type of owners buy a Wee-Chon?
What in your opinion are the best things about the Wee-Chon breed?
Why do you think the Wee-Chon is special?
What are your favourite things about the Wee-Chon?
Are you glad you choose to buy a Wee-Chon and not another breed?
How would you describe the Wee-Chon temperament?
What advice might you give to people thinking about whether they should buy a Wee-Chon over other breeds?
History & Origins
What are the history and origins of the Wee-Chon?
About The Breed
What colors of Wee-Chon are most popular?
What does the Wee-Chon look like?
What are the pros/cons of the Wee-Chon breed?
What can a new owner expect in terms of differences between the Wee-Chon and other breeds?
Do they attract a lot of interest and curiosity from the public?
What type of typical personality does the Wee-Chon have?
Is it possible to describe a fairly typical Wee-Chon?
What is the breed standard/description for the Wee-Chon?
Were there particular colors people preferred and that maybe you focused on?
Are there any downsides to owning a Wee-Chon that prospective owners should be aware of?
Is the Wee-Chon breed of dog suitable for first-time dog owners?
Some breeds can be described as greedy and prone to weight issues, would this apply to the Wee-Chon?
What are the key differences when compared to other breeds?
Is the Wee-Chon breed suitable for a person or family that are out at work all day?
Some owners seek a breed suitable for barking and offering a guard dog role – how does the Wee-Chon match up to that role?
Are there myths about the Wee-Chon – in other words do new potential owners come to you with misconceptions about this breed?
We asked a number of breeders in the UK and America what essential advice they would give to new owners of Wee-Chon puppies and this is what they said:
What types of questions do you get once owners get their Wee-Chon home?
Can you tell us something most owners would not know – tips, secrets etc from your years of experience?
What is the typical temperament of a Wee-Chon, so people know what to expect from their new pet?
When fully grown how much on average does a Wee-Chon weigh?
When the Wee-Chon is full grown in size what is the maximum height and length expected to be?
Is the Wee-Chon ever crossed or mixed with other breeds of dog?
Does the Wee-Chon smell or drool a lot?
Do you have a Wee-Chon growth chart?
What breed group does the Wee-Chon come under?
What type of coat do they have?
Can they swim?
What does the movement of the tail show, does it mean they are trying to ‘talk to us’ or give us some message?
Suitability
Are there some types of people that you can suggest the Wee-Chon is not suitable for, perhaps families?
How is the Wee-Chon with children?
Do you think the Wee-Chon is suitable for families with young children?
How does the Wee-Chon get along with other (existing) pets and do you have any tips or advice for new Wee-Chon owners in terms of successful integration?
Is it better to buy one Wee-Chon or two?
Should prospective new owners be aware of any differences between males and females?
Would the Wee-Chon be suitable as a guard dog?
Can I leave my Wee-Chon during the day while I go to work?
Lifespan
What is the expected average lifespan of the Wee-Chon?
In terms of life expectancy, how long on average would the Wee-Chon breed live to?
Food & Diet
Do you have any special feeding routines or diet?
Do you have any feeding advice or brands that you prefer?
How to handle the Wee-Chon puppy to start off – how much food, what type, how often?
What feeding routines and types of food/supplements do you recommend?
What to buy in terms of equipment? Bowls etc
Do owners need to consider supplements for their Wee-Chon?
How about for older dogs?
Buying – How Much Do They Cost?
How much did your Wee-Chon cost to buy?
Can you offer advice to people looking to buy a Wee-Chon and how much should they spend?
What advice would you offer new Wee-Chon owners?
What types of people are buying the Wee-Chon and why?
Where can I buy Wee-Chon rescue dogs or find a Wee-Chon for adoption? Please note that buying or searching for a ‘cheap’ Wee-Chon can be false economy as they may have health issues that cost you far more in the long-term – always buy from a good and responsible breeder!
Do I need public liability insurance or a license?
Puppy
How would you describe the Wee-Chon puppy to potential new owners?
What types of owners are best suited to owning a Wee-Chon?
What colors and sizes are most popular?
Are there things new owners do that perhaps frustrate you?
What can people expect when they become a new owner?
What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Wee-Chon?
As a Wee-Chon breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?
Are there specific times of the year that you breed?
Choosing a puppy from a litter, what advice could you offer potential new owners in terms of selecting ‘the one’?
How long does it take to housetrain/potty train a Wee-Chon?
When can you take them out in public and how do you handle them around other dogs?
Will they run off – when is it safe to let them off the lead?
We invite you to email us your Wee-Chon’s pictures, in particular we are looking for photos showing Wee-Chon puppies at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 weeks old as well as early pictures such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 months old to a year old.
Do they have any nicknames or does the Wee-Chon have popular names?
If my Wee-Chon is pregnant what might the litter size be?
Could the Wee-Chon be dangerous around young children?
Problem Behaviors
How do you deal with a problem barker – any tips and advice to new owners?
How do you prevent a Wee-Chon biting?
How do you prevent a Wee-Chon chewing?
How do you stop a Wee-Chon jumping up?
Does the Wee-Chon have an issue with excessive digging?
Why does my Wee-Chon keep growling and barking?
Is there a reason my Wee-Chon dog is often scratching excessively?
Do they suffer from separation anxiety and how can I prevent this?
Exercise
In comparison perhaps to other breeds what can you say about the Wee-Chon and their exercise needs and do you have any tips or advice for new Wee-Chon owners?
As a breeder of the Wee-Chon , do you prefer a collar or harness?
As an expert of the Wee-Chon breed do you prefer a standard leash or retractable?
Can you offer any dog walking tips for Wee-Chon owners?
Playtime & Tricks
What games and toys can you recommend for the Wee-Chon?
Are there toys you suggest avoiding?
How intelligent is the Wee-Chon compared to other dog breeds?
How much can they understand?
Grooming
Do you have any special grooming routines or tips and advice for new Wee-Chon owners?
How much time is involved?
What accessories are required to be purchased for grooming a Wee-Chon?
Any advice/tips you can give concerning maintenance of nails?
How much do Wee-Chon shed and how do I maintain their hair and how often?
How can I prevent or cure ear infections?
Do you have any tips for eye care?
Is the Wee-Chon a hypoallergenic breed?
Bathing
Any advice/tips you can give concerning cleaning and bathing your Wee-Chon?
Can you offer new Wee-Chon owners advice concerning fleas and maybe products you use in treatment and prevention?
Showing
What advice and tips could you offer to owners who might wish to follow your path in showing the Wee-Chon?
What started your interest in showing the Wee-Chon?
If a new owner perhaps wanted to meet other owners or find out more – perhaps they have an interest in joining a local club or maybe they wonder how they can start showing their Wee-Chon – where would they begin?
Can you offer any advice to others who may be wondering if they can also start showing?
How would an owner know they have a show-quality Wee-Chon and how would they start off?
Can you give away any of your secrets?!
Is showing very expensive and why do you think people like to do it?
What do judges look for in a winner?
Breeding
What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Wee-Chon?
What official organisations are there for the new Wee-Chon owner and what benefits or services do they provide?
In buying a Wee-Chon, can you offer advice and tips to new owners?
How did you go from being an owner to getting into breeding?
Do you think the breed’s popularity has increased, decreased or remains the same?
How did you progress to becoming a breeder and why focus on breeding the Wee-Chon out of all the breeds you could have chosen?
What do you think makes the Wee-Chon special to you?
Are there things that you see owners doing that frustrate you?
As a breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?
Training
In comparison perhaps to other breeds what is it like to train a Wee-Chon and do you have any tips or advice for new Wee-Chon owners?
How should new owners approach bringing a new Wee-Chon home, any advice and tips you can give?
Should I allow my Wee-Chon to sleep in my bed or elsewhere in the house?
Do you recommend crate training and how long does this take?
Should my Wee-Chon sleep in a kennel or crate?
Health
Health is always a major concern when buying a dog, do you have any advice for new Wee-Chon owners to be aware of in particular?
Are there any health-related tips you can give to owners?
What sort of health issues should owners be on the lookout for?
What is the recommended schedule for vaccinations for your Wee-Chon?
Can you offer any advice on how to treat and prevent worms?
What type of health issues can a Wee-Chon have and how do you deal with preventing these?
Why does my Wee-Chon have diarrhea?
Do they suffer from itchy and sensitive skin and if so why?
Why is my Wee-Chon vomiting and do I go to the vets?
When should I take my Wee-Chon for vaccinations and which ones do they need and how often?
How often will my Wee-Chon be in heat?
Should I consider getting my Wee-Chon spayed or neutered and when and how much does this cost and what are the benefits?
My Wee-Chon is limping, what should I do and should I go to a veterinarian surgeon?
Do they suffer from allergies?
Why is my Wee-Chon not eating?
How much does it cost to insure my Wee-Chon?
What healthcare issues or diseases might be excluded from companies that provide Wee-Chon dog health insurance?
Old Age
What age would you class as an ‘older or senior’ Wee-Chon?
Do you notice any changes in their behavior?
What changes in food and diet would you suggest making for an older Wee-Chon?
Do you feed any supplements to an older Wee-Chon – or anything else which helps them as they age?
Are there any health issues particular to a senior Wee-Chon dog?
Do you have any advice for owners of an older/senior Wee-Chon or tips you can pass on?
Here’s an interesting video on the Wee-Chon.
Do you know of any Wee chon breeders or kennels in southern Ontario (?) as I am having a hard time locating one on line other than England. I live in Hamilton Ontario.
Thank you for your reply.