“I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlighten enough to exercise control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.” - Thomas Jefferson, Sept. 28, 1820

Residing in Connecticut, Bonnie Brier West Highland White Terriers was established in 1964, after the purchase of my first Westie Bonnie, from Bettina King and Barbara Langdon (Briarwood), and who later became my first American Champion, Ch. Briarwood Bonnet, and top-producing dam. In 2005, I celebrated my 41st anniversary of involvement in the sport of dogs, but more importantly, 41 years of loving and living with these wonderful and awesome little spirits.

Today, I breed for truly healthy show and companion Westies, which really are one in the same - they are ALL loving companions first and foremost. My show Westies have been Group, Best of Breed and Sweepstakes winners with 23 conformation champions and 4 obedience titled Westies to date. More important, Bonnie Brier Westies are #1 in the hearts of their guardians. My commitment is to breed and raise each generation that is genetically and physically healthier while maintaining happy and hardy temperaments, encouraging the Westies' natural instincts and striving to improve structure as outlined in the breed standard.

Compared to those earlier years when I began in the sport of raising and showing Westies, it is quite disturbing that today, dogs in general are dying younger. They certainly are in Westies. Disease and illness is epidemic, in my opinion. Just think how often you go to your veterinarian and how much you spend each year! As a breeder, and guardian of Westies, I investigated, researched and re-educated myself and discovered the influences that lead to poor health and disease in dogs. What I discovered was quite disturbing. Reading some of my articles will help you understand my concerns.

Since 1996, Bonnie Brier Westies are only raised the NR (natural rearing) way. Please read the article What is Natural Rearing? The influence of Juliette de Baircali Levy, the "Mother of Natural Rearing", made a tremendous impression on me and today, in order to breed and raise truly healthier Westies, I am committed to the NR ways. As a nationally known, knowledgeable and reputable show exhibitor/NR/Holistic breeder (conformation, obedience, earthdog), only one litter, on the average, is raised each year. All my Westies are home raised. Health is the priority. Guardians of Bonnie Brier puppies go through a very in-depth interview process and sign a health contract as part of their commitment to promoting a long life of wellness and well being for their Westie. My oldest NR and Group winning Westie is Ch. Bonnie Brier Sittin' Pretty, going strong at 8 years of age.

All my NR puppies are weaned (their mom starts the process) to raw food and fed their species-appropriate raw food (ARF) diet for life. Natural immunity is supported for all NR Westies, and pesticides/insecticides/toxic chemicals, as in flea, tick and heartworm products, are NEVER used. All these measures are practiced in order give the Westies their best opportunity to have as healthy an immune and digestive system as possible, for their lifetime, which equals to healthier, longer living dogs, and rare trips (if any) are made to the veterinarian. My responsibility includes being the mentor for guardians for the life of each Westie, and I am available 24/7 to those guardians.