Bred in Scotland, to flush out 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 so as not to be mistaken for the target! Hence, the West Highland White Terrier.
This small, sturdy, tenacious, self-confident dog with its unique carrot shaped tail and surprisingly large teeth is in the Terrier group.
Weighing 16-22 pounds on average, they are legends in their own minds. Careful, if not exercised enough, this plucky little canine will pack on a few extra pound fairly quickly.
Bred to work, they require a fair amount of daily exercise. If they don’t get it, they will get into trouble finding “something” to do. Two brisk walks daily and a little wiggle and waddle time around the yard, and a Westie is ready for a short nap. This is not an outside dog. Your Westie would much rather keep you company on the couch, than be delegated to the backyard alone for hours.
Minimal shedders, they do require some grooming because of their thick undercoat and rough or silky topcoat. They aren’t afraid of getting dirty. Being white, means lots of baths. Another grooming note, their nails grow faster than most dogs. If not allowed to dig or walk on hard surfaces, it will necessitate their nails being clipped often. Because of that, it a good idea to get your Westie puppy comfortable with having their feet handled and nails clipped while still young.
Most are good with older children and other dogs. Their high prey drive does not make them trustworthy around other small animals. It is wise to desensitize them to the family cat when they are young. They may not hurt them, but they will love nothing more, than to give them a good chase now and then. If not socialized while a pup, like many terriers, they can be snappy. Females are often more dominant than the males, so it’s better to have one of each, than two females.
Even though they are quite independent, they are fairly easy to train. They love being challenged mentally, as long as it feels like a game. Get your Westie into a positive reinforcement Puppy Kindergarten or obedience class as soon as possible.
Most are fun-loving, loyal, people and dog friendly, happy 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. They will do it when it’s suitable for them. The same holds true with petting them. They are persistent! They will let you know when it’s time to start and stop.
Westies can be quite chatty. Many have an opinion on everything. That means they can be relentless barkers! If you don’t put checks on the barking, they will find something to bark at or about all day. Second to chasing something, they like nothing more than a good debate.
There are a few health issues to be aware of. They include Cranio-mandibular Osteopathy (CMO) also known as “lion jaw.” It is believed puppies are predisposed, when both parents carry the gene. It typically becomes noticeable when the pup is 3-6 months old. Take note if your puppy is having problems eating and doesn’t like their heads touched. They are in pain! In most cases it is a recessive disease, which takes about a year to recess. Your veterinarian can suggest medications to relieve some of the discomfort. In severe cases, euthanasia may be mentioned.
Other common health problems include: cataracts, luxating patella, dry eye, atopic dermatitis, gastrointestinal and bowel problems, pulmonary fibrosis (Westie Lung Disease), cancer and Legg-Calve-Perth Disease.
Their average lifespan is 12-16 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 just enough of a challenge to make things interesting.
Bottom line: Do your homework. Avoid puppies from flea markets, pet stores and backyard breeders. It’s worth the few dollars more to find a reputable, trustworthy breeder. Westies are popular dogs with the elderly, which sometimes means due to circumstances beyond their control, they do end up being surrendered to a shelter or rescue. Check them out. Who knows, your new best friend may be there patiently waiting for you.
Karen A. Soukiasian, GOOD DOG! – DOG TRAINING and BED-n-BISCUITS dog boarding and training – Owner/Trainer, St. Augustine, Florida – AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN and S.T.A.R. PUPPY Evaluator http://www.freewebs.com/gooddogsite – http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Saint-Augustine-FL/GOOD-DOG-DOG-TRAINING/95917282486?ref=sgm.
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