Here are some of the basics about the West Highland White Terrier also known as Westies:
Category: Terrier
Living Environment: indoors (highly recommended); outdoors (fenced yard)
Coat: about two-inch coarse and wiry outer coat and soft, dense, and furry undercoat
Color: white
Height: between 10 and 12 inches
Weight: between 13 and 22 pounds
Temperament:
Naturally,
• they like to bark and dig
• they are not as willful as most terriers
• they love companionship
When properly trained
• they can become fairly friendly towards strangers
• they develop close affinity with behaved children
• they love to chase cats but they do not hurt them
• they can become a very good watch dog
• they can become very lively
Breeders should take note of the following health issues:
• Chronic skin problems
• Perthe’s disease (hip problems)
• Jawbone calcification
• Cranio mandibular osteopathy (lion jaw)
• Patella luxation, a disorder in the kneecap
• Liver ailments
• Deafness
• Congenital heart disease
Care and Exercise:
• Their coat should be brushed regularly using a brush with stiff bristles.
• They should bathe only when necessary.
• Their whole coat should be trimmed every four months.
• The fur on the eyes and ears should be trimmed using blunt-nose scissors.
• They need regular sessions of play and/or walk.
Origin/History:
They share the same lineage with Cairns and Scotties (from Skye terriers), and even with the Dandies. This trio was developed in the Isle of Skye, which is one of the islands in Scotland. It was noted that white whelps were chosen from the wiry-coated Cairns, Scotties, and Dandies to produce the variety that were known as Poltalloch terriers.
History records mentioned that around 1620, King James 1 of England requested some small white dogs from Argyleshire in Scotland. Colonel Malcolm, who was considered as the originator of Poltalloch terriers, that are very similar to the Westies of today, accidentally shot his terrier (a dark one). From then on he vowed to have only white terriers.
In the 19th century, terriers that were very similar to the Westies were known as Roseneath terriers in honor of Duke of Argyll’s interest and patronage of this breed. Roseneath was the name of his estate at Dumbartonshire.
In the first-ever dog show that were organized in the late 1800s, the Westies were called as White Scottish terriers. In 1904, they were classified under the name West Highland White terriers.
During the mid-1900s, breeders of the Cairns in Argyll, Scotland selected white puppies from the stock and interbreed some to obtain white Cairns. However, in 1917, the American Kennel Club ruled that Cairns could be listed if they have the Westies’ lineage.
Of course every puppy dog, no matter the breed should be properly house trained. Find out about the best methods
House training puppies
Potty training puppies
tips for puppy potty training
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