Bred in Scotland, to eliminate badgers and foxes, the original Westies, as they are affectionately called, were actually red! Being shot because they were the same color as the fox, it was decided to make them obvious enough not to be mistaken for the target! Hence, the West Highland White Terrier.
This stocky, tenacious and self-assured little dog with its unique carrot-shaped tail and surprisingly large teeth belongs to the Terrier group.
With an average weight of 16 to 22 pounds, they are legends in their own minds. Beware, if he doesn’t get enough exercise, this plucky little canine will pack on a few extra pounds pretty quickly.
Bred to work, they require a fair amount of daily exercise. If they don’t understand it, they will have trouble finding “something” to do. Two brisk walks a day and a little waddling around the yard, and a Westie is ready for a short nap. This is not an outside dog. His Westie would rather keep him company on the couch than be a steward alone in the backyard for hours.
Minimal shedding, they require some grooming due to their thick undercoat and rough or silky topcoat. They are not afraid to get dirty. Being white means lots of bathrooms. Another grooming note, their nails grow faster than most dogs. If they are not allowed to dig or walk on hard surfaces, their nails will need to be trimmed frequently. That’s why it’s a good idea to get your Westie puppy comfortable with having his feet touched and his nails trimmed when he’s still young.
Most are good with older children and other dogs. Their high prey drive does not make them trustworthy with other small animals. It is advisable to desensitize them to the family cat when they are young. They may not get hurt, but they’ll love nothing more than giving them a good chase every once in a while. If not socialized as a puppy, like many terriers, he can be agile. Females are usually more dominant than males, so it is better to have one of each than two females.
Although they are quite independent, they are quite easy to train. They love to be mentally challenged, as long as it feels like a game. Enter your Westie into a positive reinforcement puppy kindergarten or obedience class as soon as possible.
Most are happy, fun-loving, loyal, dog-friendly and people-friendly dogs. They are affectionate, but they are also independent. Don’t be surprised if they don’t want to sit on your lap when you want them to. They will do it when it suits them. The same goes for petting them. They are persistent! They will let you know when it is time to start and stop.
Westies can be quite talkative. Many have an opinion on everything. That means they can be relentless barkers! If you don’t control the barking, they will find something to bark at or bark at all day. Besides chasing something, they like nothing more than a good debate.
There are some health issues to be aware of. They include craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO), also known as “lion’s jaw.” Puppies are thought to be predisposed when both parents carry the gene. It is usually noticed when the puppy is between 3 and 6 months old. Take note if your pup is having trouble eating and doesn’t like having its head touched. They are suffering! In most cases it is a recessive disease, which takes about a year to remit. Your vet may suggest medication to ease some of the discomfort. In severe cases, euthanasia may be mentioned.
Other common health problems include: cataracts, patellar dislocation, dry eye, atopic dermatitis, gastrointestinal and intestinal problems, pulmonary fibrosis (Westie lung disease), cancer, and Legg-Calve-Perth disease.
Its half-life is 12 to 16 years.
The West Highland Terrier is a good choice if you are an inexperienced dog owner looking for a small dog with a lot of heart. They are enough of a challenge to make things interesting.
Bottom line: do your homework. Avoid puppies from flea markets, pet stores, and backyard breeders. It is worth spending a few extra dollars to find a reputable and trustworthy breeder. Westies are popular dogs with the elderly, which sometimes means that due to circumstances beyond their control, they end up being handed over to a shelter or rescue. Look at them. Who knows, your new best friend may be patiently waiting for you.