Westie Dog Breed Information

General Information:

Height: 10 – 11 in
Weight: 15 – 20 lbs
Life Span: 12 – 15 yrs
Coloring: White
Area of Origin: Scotland
Similar Breeds: Scottish Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Skye Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier

History and Origin:

The West Highland White Terrier (affectionately, “Westie”) originated in Scotland, one of five native Scottish Terrier breeds along with the Scottish Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Skye Terrier, and Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Small ratting and badger-hunting dogs have been present in Scotland for centuries; dogs that resembled the West Highland White Terrier were recorded in Don Leslie’s The History of Scotland 1436 – 1561, and it is likely that these dogs have an even older history.

All five of the modern day terrier breeds from Scotland were known by the name “Scotch Terrier” until 1873, when two types were standardized: the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Skye Terrier. The small, white-coated dog that would become the West Highland White Terrier, along with the sable-colored Cairn and the black-coated Scottish, was categorized as a Skye Terrier. Further distinction between the Skye, West Highland, Cairn, and Scottish Terrier types was not made until the end of the nineteenth century; until standardization of separate breeds was made, white, black, and shades of sable and brown would be found in the same litter of puppies.

For centuries, white-coated dogs were seen as being weak and were less valued than darker-coated dog. However, after accidentally shooting his reddish terrier after mistaking it for a fox, the 16th Laird of Poltalloch, Edward Donald Malcolm, began to breed a white terrier that would be easily distinguishable from its prey – red and brown fox, badgers, and other vermin.

The name, West Highland White Terrier, first appeared in 1908, the same year the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club. West Highland White Terriers with Cairn and Scottish Terriers in their recent pedigrees were permitted in Britain until 1924. Today, the Westie is among the most popular of dog breeds, ranked third in Britain and in the top thirty in the United States.

Personality and Temperament:

Self-assured, independent, and energetic, the West Highland White Terrier is a tenacious little dog with a huge personality. It is typically good with children and strangers alike, and its natural intuition and independent thinking make it a good watch dog. Affectionate and friendly, the Westie enjoys other dogs, however cats and small animals may fall victim to the dog’s strong hunting instinct. As a terrier, it loves to dig, and can be an effective escape artist if its yard is not properly secured.

It tends not to suffer from separation anxiety if it is provided with entertainment when separated from its family. It is extremely alert, and will bark frequently if not trained otherwise. It is fearless and curious, and can get into plenty of mischief. Due to the Westie’s exceptional sense of self and robust nature, it is not suitable for a first time or nervous dog owner. It needs calm, gentle, yet firm leadership.

Exercise & Training:

An extremely active breed, the West Highland White Terrier needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep it happy and healthy. Daily walks and varied play and training programs will help to keep the Westie focused on its owner and willing to learn new things. It excels at dog sports such as agility, flyball, earth dog trials, and competitive obedience. A house with a yard is ideal to provide the dog with space to burn off excess energy; it may develop behavior problems if cooped up in an apartment. Extremely intelligent, the Westie is capable of learning complex commands, however its independence can make it a challenging dog to train. The breed responds best to positive reinforcement training with a confident and patient owner.

Grooming:

As with other terrier breeds, the West Highland White Terrier’s coat needs to be stripped two times a year to thin out the under coat if the show-style coat is desired. Many owners prefer to keep the coat shaved into a puppy-style clip for ease of grooming. Brushing daily will help to prevent tangles and matting. Bathe sparingly to prevent the skin from drying out. The Westie sheds little.

Similar Breeds:

Most closely related to the Cairn Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and Skye Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier also shares ancestry with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier as all five breeds were classified as “Scotch Terriers” until the late nineteenth century. Even today, the Cairn, Westie, and Scottie are very similar in appearance and personality, while physical similarities with the Skye and Dandie Dinmont have faded.

Interesting Facts about the Westie:

1. The West Highland White Terrier was accepted into the American Kennel Club under the name “Roseneath Terrier” in 1908; the name was changed to West Highland White Terrier one year later, in 1909.

2. The Westie is an iconic figure in brands such as Black & White Whisky and Cesar dog food.

3. A British movie, The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby (2006) cast a West Highland White Terrier to play Bobby, a Skye Terrier in Edinburgh that stood watch over his master’s grave for fourteen years until his death in 1872.