West Highland White Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White Terrier, known to almost everyone as the Westie, is a small white dog standing about 10 to 11 inches tall. It has a rounded head, small upright ears, dark almond eyes, and a carrot-shaped tail that is carried straight up. The coat is always white, which sets it apart from related Scottish terriers.

The breed was built to follow quarry into rock piles and burrows, and the sturdy chest, strong jaws, and stubborn nerve reflect that purpose. Today it is chosen mainly for its cheerful, self-assured personality and its manageable size.

Temperament and family life

Westies are sociable and bold, with a sense of humor that owners often describe as theatrical. They like company, follow people from room to room, and generally do well with respectful children. A small child who grabs or corners the dog may meet a quick nip, so supervision is advisable.

Strangers are usually greeted with interest, though the Westie will bark to announce them. Many are confident with other dogs, sometimes more confident than is wise. The prey drive is real, and cats, rabbits, and rodents outside the family may be chased. Most Westies dig, and a fenced yard needs deep boundaries.

Exercise and training

Moderate daily exercise suits the breed: a couple of walks, some play, and time to sniff. Westies enjoy earthdog trials, scent games, and agility for the mental work. A bored Westie digs, barks, and may become destructive.

The breed learns well when training is short, varied, and rewarded with food or play. It can be independent and will test rules, so repetition and good humor work better than force. Housebreaking sometimes takes longer than owners expect. Reliable recall off leash is difficult because a scent or small animal can override everything.

Grooming and shedding

A Westie sheds lightly, but the coat needs structured care. The harsh outer coat is traditionally hand-stripped to remove dead hairs, which keeps the color bright and the texture correct. Many pet owners instead clip the coat, which softens it and can make the white duller over time.

Brush a few times a week and bathe every few weeks, using a gentle shampoo because skin is sensitive. White fur around the eyes and mouth stains, so face wiping helps. Trim nails and check the ears.

Health

Skin disease is the most common complaint, including allergies and chronic itching that may need ongoing management. Other breed concerns include craniomandibular osteopathy, a jaw bone disorder in puppies, and a form of lung scarring seen in older dogs. Liver disease linked to copper storage, kneecap problems, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease of the hip also occur. Breeders may screen hips, knees, eyes, and the hereditary jaw condition.

What is written here is general, so questions about an individual West Highland White Terrier belong with a veterinarian.

History

The breed is generally traced to Scotland in the nineteenth century, where several terrier families were kept to hunt foxes, badgers, and other vermin. White pups appeared in litters of working terriers, and Edward Donald Malcolm of Poltalloch is the person most closely associated with setting up the white strain. One account says he began after a reddish-brown terrier in his care was mistaken for a fox and shot. The name West Highland White Terrier first appears in a book of 1908.

Is the West Highland White Terrier right for you?

A Westie suits people who want a small, hardy, outgoing dog and who accept grooming costs, barking, and some digging. It adapts well to apartments if walked every day. It is less suited to homes that want a quiet, obedient dog or to owners who cannot handle persistent skin care.

The Cairn Terrier is a close cousin with an easier coat, while the Norwich Terrier is similarly sized with a calmer reputation. The Scottish Terrier is another option for a more reserved dog.