WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER
APPEARANCE
Westie Terriers have bright, deep-set eyes which tend to be dark, with a “piercing” look. Their ears are generally small, pointed, and erect. They typically weigh from 15 to 20 lbs for male dogs and 13 to 16 lbs for female dogs and their average height is 9 to 11 inches. The tail should be between 5-6 inches.They also have deep chests, muscular limbs, a huge skull, a short and a closely fitted jaw. Their teeth generally appear quite large for the size of the dog. Westies have a very strong bone structure for their size.
PERSONALITY
Westie is not the right choice of pet for those with little time or inclination to be active, as they do need a fair amount of exercise, preferably interactive play and activity. The West Highland White Terrier is courageous, inquisitive, and loves to chase, which means that he must be supervised in a safe and secure area when he is not on a leash. These dogs can be a little arrogant, stubborn, and demanding, and are best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership and training.
TRAINING
They are very intelligent, eager to please, and quick to learn, which makes training less of a challenge. They also have excellent problem solving skills. The West Highland White Terrier will bark to raise an alarm, which makes him an effective watchdog.
EXERCISE
The Westie will need to be taken out on regular walks or to an off-leash dog park so they can run around and burn off their energy. These little guys play indoors and will not need an excessive amount of exercise by the end of the day. Being earth dogs, they do like to dig.
SOCIALIZATION
Westie does not get along well with cats at all. Because of his high prey instinct, he will avidly chase and probably catch smaller running creatures and should not be trusted around them. The Westie tends to get along with visitors, and is fine around older, gentle children. Younger kids may be too boisterous and rough for his liking.
LIVING CONDITIONS
Environment in a town, city or country may all be equally suitable for a West Highland White Terrier. A home without a yard is acceptable since it is quite active indoors. However, it will appreciate the outdoors to dig as they are essentially earth dogs.
GROOMING
Westies are prone to allergies and dry skin issues, and bathing too frequently may aggravate these problems. Washing once a month or on a longer interval will generally not cause issues. However, frequent brushings are needed to keep the coat clean and oils evenly distributed throughout the coat. Washing with a detergent-free, baby-oriented, or another soft skin shampoo will help keep a Westie’s skin hydrated. Weekly washing of the inside of the ears with cotton balls will prevent oil and wax build-up and ear infections.
HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the West Highland White Terrier is around 11-14 years, and there are a number of health problems to look out for with this breed. This includes Legg-Perthes, cataracts, CMO, vWD, seizures, allergies, and luxating patella. The parents of the West Highland White Terrier puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates. They should also be screened for GDC and luxating patella.
HISTORY
The West Highland White Terrier was bred in the Highlands of Scotland, and was used as a vermin hunter. Several of these dogs were pictured in the famous ‘Breakfast Party’ painting by Sir Edwin Landseer in the 1830s. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1908.
