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west highland white terrier

west highland white terriers

Breed Overview

Quick facts

Westies are happy lap dogs with big personalities.

SizeSmall
Lifespan13-15 Years
TemperamentLoyal, Funny, Playful
EnergyModerate
Allergy-Friendly?Yes
Shedding AmountModerate
Breed GroupTerrier

Personality & Training

Tendency to Bark

High

Trainability

High

Good For:
  • Kids
  • Cats
  • Other Dogs
  • Apartments
  • Large Living Spaces
  • Seniors
  • First Time Pet Owners
  • Watch Dog
  • Cold Climates

What west highland white terrier Owners Say About Their west highland white terriers

  • This is my fourth Westie. Everything I ever wanted!

Physical Characteristics

Height

Females: 8 - 10 in
Males: 9 - 11 in

Weight

Females: 15 - 20 lbs
Males: 15 - 20 lbs

Grooming Requirements

Brush Weekly, Bathe as Needed, Trim Occasionally

Drool Amount

Low

Colors
White

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About west highland white terriers

Although these little white dogs were originally meant to be rodent-hunting dogs, or “ratters”, today’s Westies are primarily bred as companion dogs.

With a feisty, spunky personality, a Westie is not your typical lap dog. They are happy, active dogs and love to be running and exploring outdoors. They are a hardy, independent breed that is loyal, entertaining, and love to be with people.

west highland white terrier Health

The West Highland White Terrier (Westie) is small dog breed that weights between 15 and 20 pounds and have a life expectancy of 12 – 16 years.  They were originally bred to hunt rats so are surprisingly tough for their size.  While most West Highland White Terriers are generally healthy, they run the risk of being diagnosed with at least one of these health conditions in their lifetime, so it is important to know what to look out for. Always contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice any physical or behavioral changes. 

 

Potential Health Conditions:

• Cataracts

• Craniomandibular Osteopathy(CO)

• Canine Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, (CIPF)

• Dislocated Kneecap, Patellar Luxation

• Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head, Legg-Calve Perthes Disease (LCP) Disease

• Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)


Suggested Screening:

• Hip evaluation

• Patella evaluation

• Eye examination

 

Routine Care:

• Spay or neuter

• Routine dental care

• Controlled exercise

 

west highland white terrier Care

Westies have double-coated fur that needs consistent grooming.

They are smart and independent dogs so make sure you provide mental stimulation. As active dogs, they need regular exercise. They love to play.

west highland white terriers FAQ

Yes, Westies are low-shedding and allergy-friendly.