General Description

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(Westie)The big eyed West Highland White Terrier is a small dog covered in fluffy, white fur. The hair on their bodies is close to the skin while the hair on their legs and under their bellies is loose and thick. One of their most distinguishing characteristics is their shaggy manes which frame their small but always alert faces.  Their short, fur-covered muzzles end in a tiny black nose.  Their tiny ears stand straight up on their head, and their large, dark-colored eyes stand out against the whiteness of the rest of the dog.   At the end of their compact bodies is a 5 to 6 inch tail that, like its ears, sticks straight up as if it is constantly at attention.  Despite its small size, the dog should be muscular and have a deep chest since they were originally designed for running after small vermin.

Westies have carrot shaped tails that should never be docked.

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Character

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The West Highland White Terrier is a friendly breed. They are outgoing with strangers and other dogs. They will play well with children as long, as those children are not overly rambunctious. Westies need moderate exercise but are generally good companion dogs. They are lively in the house, but they do bark frequently as is the case with many small breeds. If allowed, they will dig which can cause problems for owners who value their gardens and landscaping. As with many hunting dogs and terriers, the West Highland White Terrier can be slightly stubborn and difficult to train.

Westies may become more stubborn as they get older. They are easily motivated by treats. They may tend to be snappy with too much commotion or over active children. It's important to socialize them from birth.

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Size

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9-12 inches

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Weight

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13-22 pounds

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General Health

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West Highland White Terrier run the risk of acquiring a number of health problems such as cataracts, copper toxicosis, craniomandibular osteopathy, deafness, enzyme deficiency, inguinal hernia, and Legg-Perthes disease.  Despite this seemingly long list of health issues, the West Highland White Terrier is generally healthy and can live to be over 15 years of age.

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History

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West Highland White Terriers arose after a breeder of Cairn Terriers in Scotland started finding all-white pups in his litter.  He decided to begin specifically breeding for white Cairn Terriers and eventually developed this breed.  The modern West Highland White Terrier’s loyal and self-confident personality developed over time thanks to selective breeding.  Although the dog was originally used to hunt and kill vermin, such as rats, today it is mostly used for companionship.

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Maintenance

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Grooming West Highland White Terriers is relatively simple. They need to be brushed once a week which should keep them from needing a bath very often. They need the hair around their ears and eyes trimmed regularly. They should also have their coat stripped twice a year.  Like any dog, they need some exercise. However, many West Highland White Terriers release their energy by just playing in the house.

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Ideal Environment

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West Highland White Terriers can live in small apartments or large houses. They are good for families with well-behaved children and other animals. The breed can live in almost every climate without problem. The breed makes especially good companions for the elderly since most of their exercise is obtained simply from playing in the house. If children are around the dog, they need to be supervised so they do not harass the dog.  The breed can become angered and will snap. West Highland White Terriers are protective of their families and love to travel with them.

This breed is prone to sunburn on the tips of their ears if they live in a sunny environment.

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West Highland White Terrier Information