The West Highland White Terrier is a little daredevil. Description of the breed

There is a special dog in the terrier family. She has a snow-white fur coat, she is noble, smart, brave. And this dog breed is one of the key characters in the Asterix and Obelix film series. This is a West Highland White Terrier, a brave Scottish hunter and devoted companion.

Description of the West Highland White Terrier breed

Popularity 216th place among 263 dog breeds

Lifespan:

12-16 years old

Breed group:

Decorative

Height:

males: 25-30 cm, females: 23-28 cm

Country of origin:

Scotland

Average price:

30-40 thousand rubles

Weight:

males: 7-10 kg, females: 6-7 kg
Latest articles Cat health

Ataxia in cats: what is it, how does it manifest and is treated 01/23/2022 187 0 0

Cat health

Leukemia, or viral leukemia in cats 01/23/2022 162 0 0

Key facts

The West Highland White Terrier is a mischievous fidget with a shaggy white coat. Descriptions of the West Highland White Terrier breed were found back in the Middle Ages.

The homeland of dogs is called the areas of western Scotland, completely covered with rocks and mountains. It was in such conditions that the dog was able to demonstrate and develop his working abilities.

Sociable and very energetic representatives of the breed get along well with all family members, but only one person is recognized as the owner. Unlike other individuals of the terrier group, they get along well with other pets. Characteristics of the West Highland White Terrier breed indicate their keen intelligence, curiosity and desire to dominate.

Due to their small size, dogs feel comfortable in a city apartment or a country house. The lifespan of a West Highland White Terrier ranges from 12 to 16 years. There are other names for representatives of the breed - Westie (Westi), white highland terrier.

History of the origin of the West Highland White Terrier

The Highland Terrier is a breed developed in western Scotland. It is considered so ancient that its origins go back to medieval sources.

Initially, the terrier was used to hunt wild animals living in burrows: badgers, foxes, and other predators. Some of them were larger than the Westies. It has been suggested that the ancestors of the highland individual were Cairn Terriers and Scotch Terriers originally from England.

Interestingly, dogs originally had limitless color options. Pets could be fawn or brindle. But puppies with a white color were considered a waste at that time because they were too painful. Owners almost always got rid of such babies.

Much later, in the 19th century, the breed standard was determined. It was proposed by Colonel Edward Malcolm of Poltalok and Duke of Argyll George Campbell. They preferred the white-haired representatives.

At that time, the usual name for the breed did not yet exist, so the colonel’s pets were called Poltalloch Terriers, and the Duke’s individuals were called Rosenet Terriers.

The first official club of Westie lovers appeared in 1904 in Scotland. It was founded by the descendants of the Duke of Campbell. Three years later, a nursery for breeding snow-white individuals was opened there.

It was then, after performing at an exhibition in London, that the dog became very popular. Breeders were attracted by the sociable disposition, good adaptability and excellent working qualities of miniature individuals. One of the main characteristics of the breed was its white color, which was recognized as the most convenient during hunting in the field. In this case, people did not confuse their assistant with foxes or other predators.

Reviews

Sergey: “We bought a news story three years ago for home use. A very funny and friendly dog. Prefers meat and dry food. Always accompanies us. Although this is not a watchdog, it barks loudly.”

Anastasia: “Our Laima is already 5 years old. Repeatedly participated in competitions. We started training at the age of two months. Of course, it was hard, I couldn’t concentrate, so I had to turn to a specialist. Now we are reaping the fruits of our hard work.”

Alexandra: “Oscar has been living in our family for 7 years. We have never regretted buying this funny, loyal dog. Despite the large amount of wool, no one had allergies. The only inconvenience is the risk of tick bites. The parasite was removed several times, the main thing was to detect it in time.”

Similar dog breeds

Pomeranian Spitz

Jack Russell Terrier

Scottish Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier

Bichon Frize

Appearance of the West Highland White Terrier

General impression

Westie is a miniature snow-white dog with curious, beady eyes. To some, the photo of a West Highland White Terrier resembles a plush toy with a large head and a cute tail that looks very much like a carrot.

Unlike other miniature animals, Westies have strong bones, so the owner does not have to constantly monitor the pet’s movements and protect it from jumping. Fractures are not scary for the baby.

Head

The skull of the Snow White Terrier has a wide shape. The front part is somewhat convex, with prominent brow ridges. The stop is clearly pronounced.

Despite its miniature size, the Westie has a powerful jaw. The terrier has a full, scissor bite. The teeth are straight and large. The eyes are deep-set and almond-shaped. The color of the iris is always dark.

The nose does not protrude beyond the muzzle and has a large black lobe. During the cold season, the lobe may become slightly lighter due to lack of sunlight.

The dog's ears are located close to each other. They are small, pointed in shape, and covered with velvety wool on the outside.

Neck

The cervical region is quite long and covered with strong muscles. Towards the body, this part gradually thickens and becomes more massive.

Torso

The body of the white highland terrier is compact in size. However, the skeleton is powerful, and the entire body is covered with strong muscles. The dog's chest is deep and wide. The back area is absolutely straight, with a strong loin and widened croup. The underline is smooth and lean.

Front and hind limbs

The front legs of the West Highland White Terrier are straight and short, with well-developed muscles. Sometimes the forelimbs are slightly turned out. This is explained by genetic characteristics - the ancestors of terriers dug the ground, throwing the earth in different directions, which gradually led to an easy spreading of the limbs.

The Westie's hind legs have a muscular and wide upper part. The limbs themselves are short and sinewy. The toes on all four paws are tightly pressed together. The pads are plump and dark in color.

Tail

The West Highland White Terrier has a medium sized tail. It is located perpendicular to the body, and during movement it is almost vertical. It is prohibited to buy it.

Movements

These little hunters are very mobile and can cover long distances. They run fast and are able to jump over fairly high obstacles. When moving, West Highland White Terriers place their paws parallel to each other, pushing off powerfully from the ground.

Wool

The animal's coat is hard, without fringe, with a thick soft undercoat. The length of the hair reaches 5 cm. The hard guard type of coat helps to get through the thorns without damaging the skin.

In the area of ​​the back and tail the hair is shorter. The longest fur is on the belly. On the paws and face the hair curls in curls. The coat grows completely by the age of three.

Color

The colors of the West Highland White Terrier are the same. All modern representatives of the breed must be only white: without spots or dusting. Other options will be considered a deviation from the standards.

Dimensions

Despite the fact that the size of the West Highland White Terrier is small, the dog is a strong and stocky breed. The weight of the West Highland White Terrier reaches 10 kg. The size of males is larger than that of females. The height of the West Highland White Terrier reaches 28 cm.

Character of the West Highland White Terrier

Domesticated hunters are distinguished by their stubborn character, courage and cheerful disposition. It is necessary to carry out training and socialization of Westies from a very early age. Only in this case does the puppy grow into a well-mannered companion dog.

The West Highland White Terrier is good with children and enjoys playing with them. However, it is not worth buying representatives of the hunting breed for families with preschool children. Pets are not known for their loyalty to children and do not tolerate annoying pestering. Because of this, there will definitely not be a good relationship between them.

West Highland White Terrier dogs show great devotion and affection to their owners. The terrier recognizes only one family member as its owner.

Westie is also very jealous. She will not want to share the attention of her loved one with another pet. The Snow White Terrier loves to fight, and the size of the opponent is not important to him.

Dogs cannot stand loneliness, although they can easily entertain themselves. They really love to misbehave. The genes of their ancestors have been preserved in them, so West Highland White Terriers dig trenches during walks in search of wild animals. And when they find a mouse or other small rodent, they immediately rush into battle.

The nature of the West Highland White Terrier shows that they serve as excellent companions to their owners, but are also capable of acting as guards. Dogs have very good sense of smell and hearing, and they can bark loudly. Westies do not experience any particular hostility towards strangers, but in case of danger they will boldly rush at the enemy.

Pets are highly active and very curious, so they are ideal for lovers of active sports or adherents of a healthy lifestyle.

Psychology

The Westie is a real terrier, full of ebullient energy.

Like all terriers, the Westie is prone to dominance and requires serious training and socialization.

It is not recommended to take terriers for a child under 10-12 years old. Firstly, Westies are not very loyal to small children.

Secondly, the child is unlikely to be able to become a real authority for the West: the dog needs a firmer hand.

This is due to the fact that Westies, for all their cute white fluffiness, have remarkable will, stubbornness, ingenuity and a penchant for adventurous pranks.

It's amazing how cunning the intellect of this tireless adventurer can be.

Highland White Terrier is very active and energetic

Westies are incredibly loyal to their owners and at the same time terribly jealous.

If you decide to pet another dog or even a cat in his presence, your pet may be terribly offended and rush to punish his competitor.

If you want to have another animal in your house that is larger than a snail, keep this in mind.

Like most terriers, Westies love to start a fight, and with equal fury the terrier is capable of rushing at both a tiny toy terrier and a huge bullmastiff , one head of which weighs more than the entire Westie.

Education and training

In order for the Snow White Terrier to become a fully socialized friend, its training must begin immediately after meeting a new family. Raising and training a West Highland White Terrier can only be carried out by a person who has confirmed his authority. A wayward animal will not follow the commands of one it considers stupider than itself.

The dog will not work even at the insistence of the owner. The dog must be stimulated and encouraged to successfully fulfill the requirements. Training and training a Westie is not complete without dog treats and praise. To prevent your pet from getting bored, you will have to take play breaks. They will help the terrier to pamper himself and further concentrate on the trainer’s tasks.

It is important for the owner and family members to stop the puppy’s attempts to bite the hands or feet of a person from childhood. This way the pet will try out its hunting skills. At these moments, you need to switch the naughty boy’s attention to toys.

Before you start walking your Westie puppy outside, he should be accustomed to a leash and collar. In addition, before starting basic training, the pet must be able to:

• respond to the owner’s voice the first time;
• find out your nickname;
• respond appropriately to the appearance of other animals.

It is recommended to work on commands in special areas after the puppy is 9-10 months old. The owner himself can train the dog, or he can enroll a friend in a kennel club. There, the Westie will select a program that suits his age and requirements and help him correct his behavior.

When living together with a West Highland White Terrier, it is important to ensure that he adheres to basic standards of behavior. Representatives of this breed very quickly see a person’s weaknesses and take advantage of them with pleasure.

So, you should not allow the animal to lie on the bed and ask for tidbits from the plate of family members. If you give in to your pet several times, you will not be able to comply with the rules in the future.

Physical exercise

Little white Westies are restless, so it is worth taking time to train their endurance. Such exercises must begin with feeding, shrinking, and styling. First, this is done at home, and then in a deserted place in the city.

White Terriers love to run and hunt a lot, so at the beginning of training you should use a bundle or cloth. The dog must chase, grab, and fumble the toy. If your pet likes this kind of fun, you can do it as a reward after training activities.

Health and Diseases of the West Highland White Terrier

Possible diseases

Unlike many other relatives of the terrier group, West Highland Whites are considered quite healthy individuals. This is indicated by their life expectancy: with proper care and maintenance, Westies can delight their owners for 12-16 years.

However, there are diseases that occur in white hunters:

• congenital deafness;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• diabetes mellitus of various types;
• age-related eye cataracts;
• meningoencephalitis of white dogs;
• ichthyosis;
• hip dysplasia.

Timely visits to a veterinarian and regular vaccinations will help prevent illnesses or reduce their consequences. We must not forget about medications for intestinal parasites, which are given to pets 2-3 times a year. The wool is treated quarterly to remove skin insects.

Reproductive health

Final puberty in females occurs by one and a half years of age. At this time, the third estrus begins in females.

Mating is carried out on the 10-15th day of estrus. Early mating of a bitch is not recommended, because in this case the animal is not able to give birth to healthy offspring. It is wiser to carry out mating on the male’s territory to ensure the groom’s peace of mind and create comfortable conditions.

It is recommended that West Highland White Terriers be spayed before they are one year old, so that the surgical procedure can be carried out with the least possible consequences for the female’s health.

What makes the news white

This breed may experience some hereditary health problems. Craniomandibular osteopathy is caused by a recessive gene and leads to problems with chewing and swallowing. Some cases can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, but others are too severe and painful.

Be alert and watch for signs such as:

- Allergies and other skin problems: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is usually caused by allergens such as grass and mold.

— Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism): a hormonal disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone.

— Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: spontaneous degeneration of the upper part of the femur in the dog's hind leg.

Features of feeding and diet

The White Highland Terrier's menu should be varied and balanced. The basis of nutrition should be protein foods. But we should not forget about the introduction of complex carbohydrates and fats into food, which are necessary to maintain a Westie in a healthy state.

The owner must decide what type of food to use. Westie responds well to both natural food and industrial feed. The latter type can cause digestive problems, so the product should only be premium or holistic.

The advantages of high-quality industrial feeds are their complete balance. They contain vitamin and mineral complexes necessary for the proper development of the four-legged prankster. In addition, the owner does not have to spend time preparing food for the pet every day.

It is important to balance natural food. This means that more than half of the menu consists of lean meats: rabbit, chicken, beef and lamb. When adding vegetables and fruits to the menu, they must be boiled and chopped - or finely grated fresh. Among cereals, preference should be given to buckwheat, rice and oatmeal.

You cannot give news:

• sweets;
• flour products;
• tubular types of bones;
• fish with bones;
• legumes

It is necessary to ensure that the animal has constant access to drinking water for any type of food. It is optimal to install an automatic drinker - or change the water yourself several times a day.

From 1 month, puppies begin to be given complementary foods. These can be low-fat fermented milk products, cottage cheese, boiled yolks, liquid viscous porridge. You cannot overfeed Westies or treat them with pieces from the owner's table. This can cause obesity and lead to food allergies.

Care and maintenance

The small size of the Westie makes it possible to maintain it in any type of housing: from a small city apartment to a large country house. The pet's habitat should be located away from drafts and provided with toys so that it can entertain itself while the owner is at work or busy with something. For representatives of this breed, a tray with filling and a bowl of water for drinking are placed near the lounger.

One of the main conditions for keeping and caring for a West Highland White Terrier is frequent and long walks. It is convenient if the dog has his own area for walking in the yard. However, if you leave the animal to its own devices, then digging holes in the area and damaging the flower beds is inevitable. In the city, a Westie needs to spend time on sports grounds and participate in active games with the owner.

The coat of doggies needs special attention and care. The pet should be brushed daily with a wire brush. This procedure will help remove dirt, remove dead hair and improve the condition of the skin.

Snow White Terriers are a wire-haired breed of dog, so they practically do not shed. Because of this, there is a need to regularly visit salons for trimming. The master will remove all old and thinning hairs, giving the opportunity to grow new and strong. Trimming is carried out at least twice a year.

In addition, representatives of the West Highland White Terrier breed need timely hair trimming, nail care, and weekly ear and teeth cleaning. Improper care of your pet leads to the formation of tangles on the body, the appearance of skin parasites, allergies and fungal infections.

It is recommended to carry out water procedures for Westies no more than 3-4 times a year, depending on the degree of contamination of the white fur. After walking in the fresh air, it is enough for the terrier to wash his paws. Westies are very clean and do not emit a specific smell around them.

Nutrition

As with any other purebred dog, proper food is the key to health, as well as success in training. Experts recommend feeding your pet after a walk. Food is better digested when the body is calm.

Small terriers are not prone to gluttony, so the portion size should match their appetite. If after eating the dog remains near the bowl and licks its lips, then the owner should think about increasing the amount of food.

Newborn puppies feed on their mother's milk for several weeks. The indicator of satiety is healthy sleep. If the baby is not full, he squeaks, shows anxiety, and crawls on his mother.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

Ask a Question

It is recommended to pay attention to the following advice from veterinarians:

• In order to prevent rickets, you need to start offering cottage cheese. Another product fortified with calcium will also work;
• give cheese in hard form;
• Learning to eat from a bowl is as easy as shelling pears. To do this, you need to poke the puppy’s muzzle into the plate several times;
• after 3-4 weeks they begin to feed meat. Small portions of this product are offered after taking mother's milk.

When the puppy is weaned from the nipple and transferred to individual feeding, it is necessary to monitor development parameters. Correct actions will help prevent possible diseases at an early age.

It is important to control weight gain. During one feeding, the dog should gain weight by no more than 20 grams. After purchasing a pet, it is advisable to stick to the same diet. Even when feeding an adult, you should be careful, as there is a risk of developing food allergies.

Many owners prefer ready-made dry food for the following reasons:

• no need to waste time preparing food for your pet;
• the terrier receives a balanced diet;
• There is no need to independently calculate calories, vitamins, and microelements.

Despite this, you should know that high-quality feed is not cheap.

If you want to prepare natural food for your puppy, then, in addition to calculating important indicators, you will need to choose only high-quality meat.

Tips for choosing a puppy

To purchase a pet, it is better to contact breeders registered in the RKF, who carry out matings in compliance with all the rules. It is best to find out all the breed standards yourself before choosing West Highland White Terrier puppies. Then there will be no problems with determining the purebred of the animal.

The temperament and intelligence of puppies is not affected by their gender. Although lovers of the breed talk about the better trainability of males.

The purchased puppy must look healthy, its fur must be shiny and clean. You should carefully examine the baby's eyes and ears - any type of discharge is unacceptable.

The baby should be active, inquisitive, not afraid of people and good at making contact. A conscientious breeder, upon the first request of the buyer, shows the pedigree of the parents and veterinary documents of the offspring.

List of suitable nicknames

Choosing a name for white terrier puppies should be done carefully. Each of them must mean something.

For girls:

• Addi – decoration;
• Daisy – daisy;
• Eve – alive;
• Lorna – found;
• Lyme - happiness;
• Bonita – kind;
• Amanda – worthy of love;
• Hilda – warlike;
• Unita – submissive;
• Felisa is happy.

Nicknames for boys:

• Harold is the ruler;
• Hayk – brave;
• Noah – calm;
• Quint – fifth;
• Reynold – reasonable;
• Hard – strict;
• Oscar - accurate;
• Orestes - mountain;
• Sheriff is fair;
• Kin is a warrior.