WESTIE

Temperament: Loyal, Happy, Entertaining

AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 42 of 197

Height: 11 inches (male). 10 inches, female

Weight: 15-20 pounds

Life Expectancy: 13-15 years

Group: Terrier Group

ABOUT THE WESTIE

To say that the West Highland White Terrier — or Westie, as he’s affectionately called — is a “big dog in a little dog’s body” doesn’t do him justice.

The Westie will definitely alert bark when he sees or hears something suspicious, and without fail he’ll announce visitors, letter carriers, and dogs who walk in front of the house. Some will even announce bugs who fly by. In other words, he can be pretty darn noisy.

PERSONALITY

The West Highland White Terrier is a bold, confident, fun-loving, intelligent dog who can find joy in the simplest pleasures of life, such as squeaky toys, a belly rub, and food. His happy disposition and love of life make him a favorite for many, in spite of his mischievousness.

He is friendly and gets along with everyone, and he enjoys being part of his family. No docile lapdog, he can be spunky. He rarely starts a fight, but he is after all a terrier, so he won’t walk away from one.

NUTRITION

The West Highland White Terrier should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval.

HEALTH

These are some desease that Westie could be prone to:

• Craniomandibular Osteopathy
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
• Cataracts
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Patellar Luxation

CARE

Westies love to romp and play, and they enjoy a nice walk. Since by nature they will run after anything that moves, the breed does best in a fenced area or on a leash.

With their intelligence, energy, and can-do attitude, Westies excel in a variety of canine sports and activities, including obedience, rally, and agility.

GROOMING

To keep the Westie looking his best, regular grooming is a must. Stripping the old, dead hair is the traditional way of taking care of the terrier coat, and it is the grooming method that must be used if you’re interested in showing your dog.

Usually a visit to the groomer every 4 to 6 weeks will work just fine. Daily brushing and combing are important. Because the Westie has a hard coat, bathing too often can do more harm than good.

Source: dogtime, akc.