West Highland White Terrier Dog Breed: Pictures, Info, Care & More

The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, is a fun and entertaining dog that likes to be around their family members and will usually clown around to get attention.

Breed Overview

Their small size makes them well-suited to apartments and city life, but they also enjoy the space of a large yard. The Westie has a small, compact, and surprisingly tough body, and children tend to love their soft curly fur. If you are thinking about getting one of these dogs for your home but would like to learn more about them, keep reading as we discuss their temperament, diet, grooming, and other factors to help you make an informed decision.

West Highland White Terrier Characteristics

West Highland White Terrier Puppies

West Highland White Terriers are loving and affectionate small dogs that are great with families or single owners. They love to play and cuddle with their owners. They might not be the easiest breed to train, but with positive reinforcement and patience, they can learn many commands and even tricks.

Once you have the dog at home, you will need to purchase food, treats, toys, and other accessories for them, which can add up over time, even with a small pup like the Westie. Be sure to talk to your vet so you can know what type of food to feed them, how much exercise they need, and even what grooming sessions might look like for you and your pup.

Temperament & Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier

West Highland White Terriers are small and friendly dogs that enjoy being around people and have unique personalities that may or may not mean they will require time to themselves. They are alert, so they make great watchdogs, but they also like to chase after smaller animals in the yard. They are courageous and fun but also stubborn.

The Westie is intelligent and makes a great companion. They’re smart enough to learn several tricks and are quite handy at getting themselves out of closed doors and over gates into areas they’re not supposed to be, so they can be difficult to deal with if you have off-limits places in your home.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

The West Highland White Terrier makes a great family dog that will usually be there to greet you when you get home and will often sit on the couch with you while you watch television. They tend to get along well with children, who are often attracted to their fluffy white coat, as long as they don’t get too rough or pull on the dog’s ears. Their small size is well-suited to any living environment in the city or country.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

If you provide your pet with plenty of socialization as a puppy, they can grow to get along well with other household pets. However, we need to point out that this breed has a strong prey drive and will find it difficult to resist chasing smaller animals, including cats, even with socialization.

Things to Know When Owning a West Highland White Terrier

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The West Highland White Terrier is extremely active and will require a high-quality diet to stay healthy. It’s important to choose a brand that lists real meat like chicken, beef, or turkey as the first ingredient so your pet gets the protein that they need for strong muscles. Protein will also help your pet feel full longer, so they aren’t always looking for food. Therefore, we recommend avoiding brands that list corn first, as that tends to be more of a filler and doesn’t have as many useful nutrients. Some dogs are allergic to artificial colors, and chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT can be dangerous to your canine’s health.

We also recommend choosing brands that will provide your pet with omega-three fatty acids, which have numerous health benefits, and probiotics, which can help strengthen your dog’s digestive system. In addition, real fruits and vegetables can be a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics.

Every pet is unique in their nutritional needs, so we recommend reaching out to your vet for nutritional advice.

Exercise 🐕

Your West Highland White Terrier is an extremely active dog that will require plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. If you have children in the home, they can be a great help because they can spend a lot of time playing together, but otherwise, we highly recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes each day to play games with your Westie. Their small size enables you to play games in a small yard or even in a spacious house, and since this dog has a strong prey drive, they will enjoy chasing after rolling balls and playing games of hide-and-seek that engage their hunting instincts.

Training 🎾

Unfortunately, the West Highland White Terrier is not one of the easier breeds to train due to their preoccupancy with finding small animals to chase after and inspect what other people in the house are doing. You can improve your chances by holding 5- to 10-minute training sessions immediately after your exercising sessions, so the dog has a chance to burn off some energy and will be better able to focus. Start with simple tricks, such as sit, and provide plenty of positive reinforcement with treats, pets, and praise to keep them interested. You will also need plenty of patience, as it can take even easy-to-train breeds several weeks to learn a new trick and commit it to memory.

Grooming ✂️

Your West Highland White Terrier will require a moderate amount of grooming to keep their fluffy fur looking its best. Brushing the coat every few days can help remove loose hair, which might otherwise contribute to mats and tangles. Frequent brushing will also help keep the fur from winding up on your floor or furniture. Many owners choose to have the coat professionally trimmed every 6 weeks to keep it looking its best. Professional groomers will provide your pet with an even cut that might be difficult to do at home, especially by inexperienced owners.

Besides regular brushing, we recommend manually brushing your pet’s teeth as frequently as possible with dog-safe toothpaste. Getting them used to the brushing while they are still puppies is the best way to make sure the acceptance continues when they are adults. It’s the best way to slow the progression of dental problems, which some experts say affects more than 80% of dogs over the age of 3. You will also need to trim your dog’s nails if you notice they are clicking on the floor.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Serious Conditions

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a condition that causes the patellar ligament to stretch out. This ligament is responsible for holding the kneecap in place, and when it stretches, the kneecap will move and affect your pet’s gait and ability to support weight. You may notice your dog occasionally swinging their leg to get the knee back in place so they can return to walking normally. In some cases, surgery can help improve the condition.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is a condition common in many breeds, and it is a term used for several ailments. The one that affects dogs most often is a chronic valvular disease, which causes the valves to break down so the heart cannot effectively pump blood. High blood pressure can cause the disease to progress faster, so your vet will likely check your dog’s blood pressure regularly if they think your pet is at risk. High-quality dog foods can help your pet maintain an ideal weight, which will help prevent excess strain from affecting the heart.

Minor Conditions

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia affects many dog breeds, but it is especially prevalent in large and/or active breeds like the West Highland White Terrier. Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint, usually due to genes passed on from the parents. Heavy and active dogs put more strain on the joints, causing them to wear down more quickly. This will affect the amount of weight your pet can support, and some dogs will have difficulty climbing stairs or getting up from a resting position. Weight management and medication can help slow the progression of hip dysplasia, but there is currently no cure.

Obesity

Obesity is one of the most common health issues facing all breeds, and many experts suggest that more than 50% of dogs in the United States need to lose a few pounds. Obesity can lead to several health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes, significantly reducing the life expectancy of your pet. It is preventable by ensuring that your pet gets the exercise that they need and by following the portion guidelines on the food that you choose.

Male vs. Female

The biggest difference between the male and female West Highland White Terrier is that the male is more strong-willed and independent than the female, making them a little harder to train. The males also tend to be slightly larger and heavier than the females but are otherwise extremely similar.

3 Little-Known Facts About the West Highland White Terrier

1. Their Fur Is White for a Reason

The West Highland White Terrier was developed to have a white coat so hunters wouldn’t accidentally confuse them with a red fox.

2. They Have Many Names

Other terms for this breed include the Roseneath Terrier or the Poltalloch Terrier.

3. They’re Not a Pushover Pup

The West Highland White Terrier is said to have an extremely strong will.

Final Thoughts

The West Highland White Terrier is a fantastic pet for large and small families in the city or on the farm. They are entertaining, enjoy the company of children, and like to go on long walks and play games, but they will still sit and watch television with you at the end of the day. Although they can be difficult to train, they are not hard to manage, and their slightly longer-than-average lifespan means you will enjoy their company for many years.

Featured Image Credit: Justgreatphotography, Shutterstock