In the 1990s, the West Highland White Terrier hunting dog became a fashion dog. The snow-white fuzzy head with the button eyes became a popular family companion. But hand on heart: It’s also hard not to fall in love with the Westie: With his devotion and his droll nature, the little one will inspire you just as much as with his watchful self-confidence. But the lively Westie is by no means a lap dog.

From the fox’s den to advertising

In the Scottish Highlands, the terriers specialized in fox hunting. Since they had to follow their prey into the burrow, the dogs were not allowed to be too big. The founder of the West Highland White Terrier breed is considered to be Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm. He mistakenly shot his own dog, a brown Cairn Terrier, during a hunt and was so dismayed by this that from then on he only bred dogs that could be distinguished by color from game – preferably with white fur. The bright color of their weatherproof fur made the new terriers clearly recognizable even in the notorious British foggy weather. Since 1905, breed standards have existed for the breeding of West Highland White Terriers. Today, the Westies are mainly used as family dogs. In the 1990s, the media discovered the terrier’s star qualities: Wherever a cute dog was needed, the West Highland White Terrier appeared on the screen, triggering a veritable Westie boom.

Character of the West Highland White Terrier

The character of the West Highland White Terrier reflects many typical terrier characteristics. The dogs are alert, courageous and self-confident. Their ego is incomparably larger than their small body. They have a very attractive charm, are bright, cheerful and cheeky. They show great devotion to their owner and meet other animals cheerfully, confidently and without aggression. The good compatibility is based on the breed’s history: As a pack dog, the West Highland White Terrier had to cooperate well in a team. Children also usually find a playmate in the Westie if they learn to handle it properly.

Profile West Highland White Terrier

Education and keeping of the West Highland White Terrier

Like most terriers, the Westie has an idiosyncratic nature, the education of which requires consistency and firm boundaries. The West Highland White Terrier is a very active and persistent dog with a pronounced hunting instinct. A lot of movement and play are elementary to keep the animal busy and physically challenging. Especially with search and tracking games and obedience training, you can accommodate the dog, because rummaging and sniffing are his passions. In his own house and garden, the West Highland White Terrier reliably reports every occurrence. His barking pleasure does not necessarily make him a friend of all neighbors in apartment buildings. With his small size, however, he is generally suitable as a roommate in the apartment building. By the way: Since the Westie hardly sheds, it can also be considered for an allergy household.

Caring for the West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White Terrier is generally a dog with very robust health. However, you should pay attention to its skin, which is prone to allergies and dehydration. Give your dog careful grooming with daily comb-and-brush wellness, during which you pluck out the loose wool. The West Highland White Terrier must not be sheared, only trimmed! You should also rarely bathe the dog and use a special terrier shampoo. The Westie is sensitive to heat and must always be able to find a shady spot in summer. Occasionally, health restrictions such as kneecap dislocation and susceptibility of the liver and ureters occur. In addition, terriers are also in the risk group for Cushing’s syndrome, a metabolic disease in which there is an increased release of the hormone cortisol.

Also check out these smaller terrier species:

•  Jack Russell Terrier: He is small, nimble and inspires with his droll nature: The Jack Russell Terrier is a charming clown and extremely smart. This should not hide the fact that the little dog needs consistent training and an experienced owner.
• Manchester Terrier: The Manchester Terrier is considered one of the most original British dog breeds. His passion and task was rat hunting. To this day, this hunting instinct is in his blood, which is why the elegant, black-brown terrier needs a very good education.
• Norfolk Terrier: The Norfolk Terrier makes an incredibly sympathetic first impression with its wavy, long fur and funny face. It lasts just long enough until the terrier discovers a cat and rushes away chasing away despite all calls.
• Norwich Terrier: The Norwich Terrier is one of the smallest terrier breeds. In recent decades, it has developed from a hunting dog to a family and companion dog. Nevertheless – the terrier heritage cannot be denied: The Norwich Terrier is up for any fun.
• Parson Russell Terrier: Are you looking for a sporty and cheerful dog, are you an active person, maybe with a family and children? If you also have a little dog experience, then the Parson Russell Terrier is your ideal candidate.
• Patterdale Terrier: With a Patterdale Terrier by your side, life with a dog never gets boring! The lively four-legged friends bring all their energy and joie de vivre into an active everyday life. After a long day in the fresh air and lots of exercise, they enjoy time with their family.
• Welsh Terrier: The Welsh Terrier is one of the rarest terrier breeds in the world. Its roots could go back to the Celts. In recent decades, its task has changed from hunting to companion dog. The intelligent small dogs are lovable family members.
•  Yorkshire Terrier: Cute button eyes flash out from under the bow, which don’t miss anything. That’s how you know the Yorkshire Terrier from TV. You could think of him as a cuddly toy, but far from it: The Yorkshire Terrier is an agile action dog with a strong character.