West Highland White Terrier (Westie)

West Highland White Terriers (aka “Westies”) are rugged little dogs with beautiful white coats and a lively spirit to match.

Originally hailing from Scotland, the West Highland White Terrier was once known as the White Roseneath Terrier or Poltalloch Terrier. The breed has similar roots to Cairn Terriers and Scottish Terriers.

Westies are feisty and lively, and need exciting obedience training to hold their short attention spans. They also make good watchdogs with their high-pitched bark.

Personality

• While the least feisty of terrier breeds, Westies can be stubborn, bossy little dogs
• Spirited, confident, energetic, affectionate and highly adaptable to their surroundings
• Active dogs who need plenty of daily exercise to release energy as well as stimulate their intelligent minds

Size

• 15-20 pounds
• 9-12 inches at the withers (shoulders)

Lifestyle

• Easily adapt to either city or country life as long as they are involved in family activities and receive adequate exercise
• Good with well-behaved children, but not suitable for young children or those lacking dog etiquette, as they will likely snap if aggravated
• Generally good with other dogs and cats, provided they have been properly socialized early on
• Great for active senior citizens as long as a firm-but-gentle, leadership role can be applied
• Good watchdogs with a slightly high-pitched bark; they tend to frequently bark at anything unfamiliar, but proper training can resolve this problem

Training

• Gentle but firm, repetitive, reward-based training is the best-suited approach
• Training should begin early to nip any aggressive traits in the bud
• Obedience sessions should be fast-paced, diverse and fun to hold their attention

Exercise

• Enjoy brisk walks and sniffing foreign scents along the way
• Need at least three to four brisk walks per day, with playtime at a dog run
• Given their propensity to chase and hunt, they should not be allowed off-leash in unsecured areas

Coat

• As their name suggests, these are white dogs, and white dogs only
• Their wiry coat can be kept soft and looking fresh by brushing it twice a week with a stiff bristle brush
• Hair surrounding the eyes and ears should be clipped for vision, health and comfort
• Coat should be professionally stripped every three to four months

Health

• Generally rugged, but like most white breeds, they are predisposed to skin problems
• Can also be genetically prone to hip problems, hernia and liver disease
• Some are diagnosed with craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO), a condition that causes the skull or jaw bone to grow abnormally; it can prevent the jaw from opening or closing properly, resulting in difficulty with eating or excessive drooling

Lifespan

• 12-15 years

Rescue

• Westie Rescue USA can help you find a local rescue contact and give you advice on adopting and helping Westies in need

PHOTO: David-andrés Novoa

i Love Dogs, Inc.

i Love Dogs, Inc.’s three websites – ilovedogs.com, ilovedogfriendly.com and findavet.us – provide information and up-to-the-minute news to keep pet parents aware of all things dog. A premium canine vitamins and lifestyle company, i Love Dogs is famous for its line of diamond dog collars. The name says it all — at i Love Dogs, we are committed to the health and happiness of our canine companions.

More Posts – Website

Follow Me: