West Highland White Terrier Breed Facts and Information

Coat & Grooming: West Highland White Terriers have a white double-coat of bright white fur that is pretty easy to maintain. Weekly brushing and the odd bath are often enough to maintain a healthy coat. They are very clean dogs in general. West Highland White Terriers don’t need much pampering, but they will take as much as you give them! They tend to bond closely with their human family, and a good grooming session can be a powerful bonding experience for companions and their owners. Don’t overdo it, but a gentle wipe-down and brushing will leave them feeling loved and secure.

Shedding: West Highland White Terriers don’t tend to shed a lot, even though their white hair tends to stand out. It varies from dog to dog, but they are typically a low maintenance breed for indoor living. Seasonal shedding may be worse, but it really depends on your hair care regime and the individual genetics of your companion. It pays to invest in the right grooming products for your dog. A Furminator and special shampoos can make the job a lot easier.

Training: When it comes to training, West Highland White Terriers are good students. With the right instruction style, they are very attentive and eager to learn. Positive reinforcement, food rewards, and a consistent regimen will help you to develop a winning personality in your Westie. If you are partial to harsh training methods, don’t even bother trying them on this breed. Not only are they ineffective – they will often produce the opposite results desired. West Highland White Terriers are proud and full of self-esteem. It’s better to appeal to their good nature than to go up against their stubborn streak.

Barking: Barking is often an issue with small terriers such as the Westie, but they are one of the best-behaved terrier breeds with proper training. The key to understanding your pet is to link their behavior with environmental conditions. If you provide an active lifestyle with lots of love and affection, your Westie will reward you with obedience and happiness. The West Highland White Terrier isn’t known for separation anxiety, but this can become an issue under the right conditions. Don’t let them spend too long at home alone without some extra stimulation.

Temperament & Behavior: These dogs are no sleepy lapdogs, despite their appearance. Some West Highland White Terriers live happy lives on the couch, but they were bred to be working farm dogs. They maintain strong terrier traits – proper training is key to avoid behavior problems. Westies are generally joyful and pleasant companion animals. They don’t suffer from a lack of self-esteem, and can develop an independent streak without proper instruction from their owner.

Life span: On average, West Highland White Terriers live to be about 13-15 years.

Inherited Health Issues: A number of health conditions have been identified in West Highland White Terriers that are either inherited or occurring at an increased frequency in this breed. Responsible breeders typically perform a number of screening genetic tests to decrease the incidence of many of these conditions. They may include, but are not limited to, the following: Pulmonic stenosis, Sick sinus syndrome, Generalized demodicosis, Malassezia dermatitis, Primary seborrhea, Chronic hepatitis, Pyruvate kinase deficiency, Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, Craniomandibular osteopathy, Cutaneous histiocytoma, Congenital deafness, Globoid cell leukodystrophy, Congenital cataracts, Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Persistent pupillary membranes, Retinal dysplasia, Microphtalmia and Ectopic ureters.

Preventive Care: Many of the health conditions that occur most commonly in West Highland White Terriers are related to heart, eye, and skin issues. Responsible breeders perform genetic testing when available in an attempt to decrease the incidence of many of these conditions. If you observe any changes or concerns with your Westie, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

Even if your Westie seems to be healthy at home, maintain regular wellness visits with your vet. Veterinarians have been extensively trained to pick up on subtle changes that could indicate larger underlying problems. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of problems will benefit both your Westie and often your wallet as well.

With overfeeding and insufficient exercise, Westies can easily become overweight. Be sure to feed your Westie a balanced diet with measured, portion-controlled meals. Avoid offering too many treats or table scraps because these goodies can easily pack on the pounds.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Westie is 1/4 to 2/3 cup.

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Exercise: Westies are built for long days of running around the dark corners of Scottish farmhouses on the hunt for rats and other vermin. They are dutiful and energetic, so it’s up you to provide the proper outlet for their energy and drive. Fetch and other skill games are easy to teach a West Highland White Terrier. They enjoy running, hiking, and pretty much any activity you can offer. A brisk daily walk or two along with some general playtime is plenty to keep a typical Westie happy, but your specific dog might need more or less exercise depending on their individual habits.