Lindy Barrow | Skyehigh Westies West Highland White Terriers

Interview with Lindy Barrow, Breeder of Skyehigh Westies West Highland White Terriers

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
4. What does “Montgomery” represent to you as a Preservation Breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Lindy Barrow

1. I’m Lindy Barrow, creator of Skyehigh Westies in Canada. Currently, the kennel resides in Hillsburgh, Ontario, a lovely rural community about an hour northwest of Toronto. I grew up with a West Highland White Terrier, so in 1998 when I was looking for my first show dog, there was no question of which breed it would be. At that time, I had no plans to become a large kennel. I remember saying to myself, “How much trouble can one little white dog be?” Twenty-six years later, with a large country property with a full kennel which currently houses about 20 Westies plus my four housedogs, a full-time staff, and all the equipment to run a show kennel, I realize I underestimated what was involved in becoming a dedicated breeder.

2. As with any breed, there are things that go through periods of strengths and weaknesses. A few years ago, it was straight fronts or rears. This appears to have improved over the last few years. What I now find hard to find is the correct head. The breed should have a very solid head, very defined stop and brow, and good fill under the eye. I think this is the current quality which is hard to find.

3. As a member of the fancy for over 26 years, I am very concerned about the low number of dogs at many shows. This year in Canada has seen the lowest entries ever. The obvious concern is that it is hard for clubs to financially survive, but beyond this there are many issues. Judges are not getting a large or quality entry to learn and evaluate. I am very concerned about the future of the sport. Hopefully this is temporary. Certainly, the cost to attend shows is making it hard for many people or to hire handlers.

4. The Montgomery County Kennel Club show is the Super Bowl for terriers. It is a chance to compete against the best of your breed. The opportunity to see dogs from across the US and other countries; to evaluate qualities in these dogs. As a breeder, it is also the opportunity to look for potential sires and to see offspring of certain dogs and what qualities are being passed along.

5. I have a love/hate relationship with social media. Used well, it gives an opportunity to share information both written and visual. If used as constructive, it is a great tool. I have a problem with those who comment in a negative way when they are hiding behind a keyboard. My belief is, if you wouldn’t say something directly to the person then you should not write it on social media.

6. The dog show community used to be very tight, and I would like to see this again by supporting fellow breeders/exhibitors and helping anyone new. We need to remember that once we were the newbie. For the sport to continue, the fancy needs to support new people wanting to get involved.

7. Some of the positive things over the past few years, I believe, is support of owner-handlers. Doing anything with your dog is good, be that Conformation or the many performance events. We are all in this because we love dogs, so doing an activity with your dog and having a good time is very important.