Pets Feed
  • News
  • Advice
  • Breeds
    • Cat Breeds
    • Dog Breeds
  • Care
  • Health
    • Cats Health
    • Dogs health
  • Dog training
  • Facts
  • Feeding
    • Cats Nutrition & Feeding
    • Dogs Nutrition & Feeding
No Result
View All Result
Pets Feed
No Result
View All Result
Home Breeds

West Highland White Terrier | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

in Breeds, Dog breeds, Dogs
0
West Highland White Terrier

Last Updated on October 24, 2022 by Pets Feed

The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, is a friendly little dog, but rough and brave at the same time. Developed as a hunting dog, today it is one of the best pets that exist.

He is a very affectionate and sociable dog, that is why it is ideal for families with children, who can give them a lot of company and affection. In addition, this breed needs to do moderate physical activity, so it is perfectly compatible to have a Westie in a small apartment or house, while its dose of daily walks.

Breed nameWest Highland White Terrier
Country of originScotland
Weight7 – 10 kg
Height (at the withers)26 – 28 cm
Life expectancy 15 years
SizeSmall

West Highland White Terrier photos

West Highland White Terrier West Highland White Terrier
West highland white terrier West highland white terrier
West Highland White Terrier West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terrier West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terrier West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terrier West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terrier West Highland White Terrier

Breed standard

The West Highland White Terrier – the most elegant and energetic of the group of short-legged terriers in the UK. This is a small but extremely confident and courageous dog. His addition allows him to be sturdy, agile and omnipresent.

Size:

  • Height 26-28 cm.
  • Weight 7-10 kg.
  • Head: The head is medium in size and round in shape. The forehead and occiput are slightly convex. The muzzle is short. Well marked transition from forehead to muzzle. Brow arches with a pronounced protrusion.
  • Jaws: The teeth are strong. Jaws tightly compressed, powerful. Bite “scissors”.
  • Ears: The ears are small, erect, set high.
  • Eyes: The eyes are medium in size and almond shaped. Deeply sunken, set well apart. The gaze is attentive, penetrating. The color of the iris is dark.
  • Frame: The body is small and strong. The chest is deep. The back is muscular, regular, widens towards the waist. The neck is broad at the base, strong and muscular. The ribs are smoothed at the edges.
  • Limbs: The legs are muscular, powerful, short, in proportion to the body.
  • Coat: The coat is hard, straight, length – 5 cm. On the stomach and legs a little longer than on the rest of the body. The undercoat is soft, resembling fur. The color is exclusively white.

Character and temperament

West Highland White Terriers have a cheeky, confident, and affectionate character. They are always alert and brave, making them excellent watchdogs.

They can also be sneaky and stubborn, but they will always remain totally loyal to their family. However, they must stay in contact with cats while young or else they will try to drive them away as adults.

With children

West Highland White Terriers are not very loyal to children under the age of 10-12, as their proud nature is not very willing to put up with their pranks. With older children, they gladly play, showing them affection.

With other animals

Unlike the rest of their terrier parents, the Westie is willing to accept the presence of other dogs and even cats in their lives.This breed is ruthless towards small animals, so keep your guinea pigs and hamsters away.

Health

Diseases that can occur in West Highland White Terriers:

  • Cranial osteopathy;
  • Atopic dermatitis;
  • Epidermal dysplasia;
  • Ichthyosis;
  • Congenital deafness;
  • Hip dysplasia;
  • Diabetes ;
  • von Willebrand’s disease;
  • Cardiovascular illnesses ;
  • Meningoencephalitis in white dogs;
  • Perthes disease;
  • Shaker syndrome;
  • Hyperuricosuria.

Life expectancy

West Highland White Terriers live an average of 13 to 15 years and are less prone to hereditary diseases than their terrier counterparts.

Basic care

The West Highland White Terrier is a dog breed with a wavy coat that will require you to brush it 3 times a week. And with maybe regular haircuts.

These animals should be combed out by dismantling the tangled areas with your fingers. You should bathe your dog at least once a month, but more often is better because he’s more likely to have close contact with you and your children, and maybe even sleep in the same bed.

Nails are cut 3 times a month, eyes are cleaned daily, ears – 3 times a week.

Exercise

Exercise

The West Highland White Terrier needs exercise. He is an energetic little dog who likes to play ball. He also likes to dig or walk around, so make sure your garden is well fenced.

As an adult, the Westie needs about an hour of daily exercise, although these very active dogs are looking forward to the extension of this period.

Breed history

The West Highland White Terrier was born in Scotland – the inhabitants of this beautiful mountainous country appreciated these small dogs, on the one hand, for their ability to catch rats, badgers, foxes and otters, and on the other hand, for their cheerful and joyful character. Catching rodents in barns and pantries was a very important activity, since the life of the family in winter depended on the quality and quantity of food. The West Highland White Terrier shares the same roots as the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Skye Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and Cairn Terrier, all of which are considered different branches of the same breed.

The earliest evidence of the emergence of the West Highland White Terrier dates back to the 16th century, when James I of Clan Scrimgeour presented such a dog to the King of France. In addition, in those distant times, the breed did not have a pure white coat color, and dogs could be of different shades. However, there is a legend that tells why of all the flowers only white remained.

One day Colonel Malcolm of the town of Poltalloch was hunting and saw a fox hiding behind a cairn. He shot and killed the animal. However, getting closer, the colonel saw that it was not a fox at all, but his dog – since then the West Highland Terrier also acquired the word white (white) in the name of the breed.

Since Colonel Malcolm, being an enthusiastic breeder and an influential person, set out to eradicate other colors from the breed so that in the future such cases could not occur in principle. After all, a snow-white dog cannot be confused with either a fox or a badger. The West Highland White Terrier was recognized by the Kennel Club of England under its current name in 1906. Previously, it was also known as the Poltalloch Terrier and the Pink Terrier.

Tags: Hunting Dogs

Related Posts

rescued dumpster dogs reunite year later

Three Dogs Rescued From Landfill Reunite A Year Later To Recreate Emotional Photo

0
unique faced shelter dog wants someone to love him

Unique-Faced Shelter Dog Just Wants Someone To Love Him

0
dogs sneak garden get makeover

These Dogs Sneak Into The Garden While Their Owner Is In The Shower, To Get A Makeover

0
adopted kitten hide dog brother fur

This Adopted Kitten’s Favorite Place To Hide Is In Her Dog Brother’s Fur

0
dog sleeps weird positions naps

This Dog Always Chooses The Strangest Positions For His Naps

0
great dane dog looks like batman

People Are Obsessed With This Great Dane Who Looks Like Batman

0
adorable homeless puppy permanent strabismus

An Adorable Homeless Puppy Was Born With A Permanent Strabismus

0
woman leaves car door open finds someone inside

Woman Leaves Her Car Door Open and Finds Someone Lovely Inside

0
Load More

Follow Our Page

Popular Posts

  • family takes cat inside realizes it was there

    The Family Takes Their Cat Inside And Realizes It Was Already There

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • This Cat-Looking Pup Has People Confused

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Richie, The Maine Coon Cat Famous On Instagram

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • British Shorthair | Cat Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Maine Coon | Cat Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The List Of Smartest Dogs According To Stanley Coren

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

About Us

Petsfeed: The website dedicated to pets.

Follow Us

  • About Pets Feed
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Sitemap

© 2021 Petsfeed

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Advice
  • Breeds
    • Cat Breeds
    • Dog Breeds
  • Care
  • Health
    • Cats Health
    • Dogs health
  • Dog training
  • Facts
  • Feeding
    • Cats Nutrition & Feeding
    • Dogs Nutrition & Feeding

© 2021 Petsfeed

error: Content is protected !!