West Highland White Terriers are fast , tenacious , and wildly entertaining dogs that pack a lot of personality into their relatively humble systema skeletale . Both a clever hunter and playful favorite , memorize more about populate with Westies .
The West Highland white terrier , unremarkably call the Westie , is a minor , stout , and rambunctious breed that own no belittled amount of self - esteem . They ’re fun - loving and always excited to do anything with their owners , whether it be hiking and accept longsighted manner of walking outside or lying around the house and smooching . The Westie ’s distinctive lily-white coat — which feels tough rather than fluffy — sets them aside from their terrier relatives . And when their headspring is shave pear-shaped and chrysanthemum - like , their small faces are irresistible .
But do n’t countenance that prettiness fool you : Despite being rather little in stature , there ’s not a batch a Westie is afraid of . The West Highland white terrier are first-class vermin hunters , and they will chase just about anything that run . Known for their pertinacity , adaptability , and tenderness for their mankind , Westies are a long - loved breed ( their lineage dates back to the 1800s ! ) .
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" Once you have built the trust between you and your Westie , they are awful with moves and modification in environment , " says Brittany Fowler , DVM , Small Animal Veterinary Internist . " As long as you are by their side , they tend to be pretty glad . "
Appearance
The West Highland white terrier is easy identified by his characteristicwhite pelt . This trademark coat acts like a mini suit of armor : The coarse outer pelt protects him and his soft undercoat as he runs through jolting shrub to enamour rats and small mammals . This special pelage may be long-lasting , but it does require regular light preparation . Stripping(or plucking ) the former , dead hair is the traditional way of deal for the Westie ’s coat , but a sojourn to a professional groomer every four to six week for a trim is a practical timesaver . Overall , West Highland white terrier do n’t pour forth muchand daily brushing will keep his coating in top anatomy and unmatted .
Along with their lily-white coating , thissmall dog breedhas a cunning Daucus carota sativa - shaped tail , pointy capitulum , dark eyes , and a fatal button nozzle . Male Westie terrier produce to be about 11 inches tall , while females will be just a smidge shorter at 10 inches . They weigh in anywhere from 13–22 pound , so they ’re the perfect size for your lap .
Temperament
Both a Orion and a snuggler , these little guy rope are very affectionate with their owner while alsofostering a substantial quarry drive . They have a sensitivity to lean and chase ( after C of years of being multiply to hunt git and other rodents ) , so it ’s a unspoilt idea to keep your terrier on a leash or make certain hehas a fence in - in yard to play in .
The West Highland white terrier is just as smart as he is scrappy , so while it might take longanimity , he can be quite well - train .
" Like many other terrier breeds , they are high - energy dogs and very independent , so they require an proprietor who has sufficient time towork with them on training , obeisance , and to serve themget outside regularly and burn off some excess energy , " says Sarah Moore , DVM , Diplomate ACVIM ( Neurology ) . " They may benefit from consistency and someone who is dedicated to working with them on training and behavior . "
Because they ’re great problem - solvers and total mass pleasers , Westies are a breed that does well with agility training . West Highland white-hot terrier puppies are particularly full of energy and want mess of activity during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. — playing , hunting , and go for walks — to become snuggle bunny rabbit at night .
Westies are wonderful family pets . Theyget along well with catsand other dogs , and they are societal butterfly stroke that love being around people . But because of their hunting inherent aptitude , young children might not be a great fit for the easily irritable Westie . Make certain your Westie has continual socialization experience starting in puppyhood .
" I would always admonish household with modest small fry under seven year one-time with getting a Westie , unless they will always be supervisedand have coherent breeding with the adults in the household , " Fowler enunciate .
Living Needs
Westies prosper with their people . It does n’t matter if you ’re a metropolis inhabitant or live on a farm — they can behappy with apartment living(with quite a little of walkies ) or on acres of land . And while they need to live primarily indoors and be close to their humans for deter unwanted conduct likebarkinganddigging — property that , according to the West Highland White Terrier Club of America , were bred to make effective hunters — Westies bonk to play around , be outside , and dirty up their white fur .
" I cerebrate one of their unique feature is how much they enjoy being outside and do outdoor activities like long walk and substantial hiking , " Fowler say . " There is a large misconception that small dogs just wish to be inside , hold all the time , [ and ] can not touch the level . If that ’s what you are looking for , then a Westie is not for you . "
When you do take your Westie outdoors , verify he ’s inside a fence - in thou or kept on a leash . Otherwise , he might precipitate dupe to the irresistible temptation of a squirrel and take off after it . While West Highland white terriers can be leave alone for longer periods of time , they appreciate the noise of a video or radio to keep them society , and they in spades needplenty of toysso they persist busy and active . And do n’t leave to pencil in play meter — it ’s what Westies sleep together best .
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Care
Westies are not high - upkeep blackguard when it comes to grooming , but they do require day-by-day brushing — thankfully , clay picked up during their outsidezoomiescomes out easily . Their short , double pelage is n’t prone to drop , so do n’t vex about finding little blanched hairs cling to your couch or apparel . Simple brushing and regular trips to the groomer will keep their pelt gleam .
But while they look cute and show dog - desirable with a absolutely trimmed pear-shaped head , West Highland clean terrier are not dog that particularly love being pampered .
" Even though they are small dogs , they do n’t run to be strait-laced or finespun , " Moore suppose . " A really unique feature of the strain is the fact that they can so well share both favored family pet status as well as be competitory athlete that participate in thing like legerity , clock time run , and hunting sports . "
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Westies are secure - willed and sovereign , characteristics that might require additional patience when training . But they ’re also intelligent , and with ordered positively charged reinforcement breeding , they will learn to stop digging in your grounds and barking at birds . Just remember : Always keep your Westie on a leash when out and about , no matter how well he ’s been trained .
" Being a terrier , they were bred to hunt varmint and diminished predatory animal , " Fowler says . " So give birth a Westie you could trust to ever be off leash is very rarified . You have to prepare for the most diligent breeding with consistence , while still knowing you might never be able to have a weenie that ’s die to listen to you off leash if a chipmunk or squirrel runs by . "
Health
The West Highland white terrier is a relatively level-headed breed and typically lives to be between 12 and 15 years former . But , as with all breeds , there are sure wellness government issue that can arise .
Common ailments include a form of dry eye calledkeratoconjunctivitis sicca , as well as mild to temperate orthopedical problems in their hips and kneecaps .
Westies are alsoprone to allergy that affect their tegument . When left untreated , this can turn into infections . Keep an eye out for itchy manus and head or ear shaking .
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They may also make out withAddison ’s disease(a hormonal problem with the adrenal glands),Mitral valve endocardiosis(heart valve issue ) , andPulmonary fibrosis .
History
Like many of the terrier Westies are related to ( including theScottish , Skye , andCairn ) , they were bred to be the bonafide rodent hunter of the British Isles . accord tothe prescribed breed night club , Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm first engender the terriers to have their characteristic blanched coat in the 1800s so they would be easily distinct from foxes .
in the main used as hunters for years , Westiesbegan seem in dog shows in the other 1900s — the first West Highland white terrier was register with the American Kennel Club in 1908 — and have remained popular ever since .
