Fun-loving, cheerful and active, the West Highland White Terrier is inquisitive, independent and makes a good family pet and playmate for those with younger children. Commonly known as a ‘Westie’, this is one of the most popular of the terrier breeds.
Facts & advice
West Highland White Terrier
An inquisitive, cheerful playmate for the whole family
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small |
| Coat: | Double coat, groom weekly |
| Exercise | 60 - 90 minutes every day |
| Life span: | 10+ years |
| Breed group: | Terrier |
| Temperament: | Friendly, alert, confident |
West Highland White Terrier temperament & personality
Always on the lookout for something fun to do, this busy little dog is guaranteed to make you smile.
- Bred to burrow for rats and rodents, Westies are a bold and headstrong breed with a strong working instinct.
- Westies’ independent nature means they’re happy to be left to their own devices, provided there’s adequate toys available.
- However, they are friendly and extremely sociable which has led them to become popular companion dogs and family pets.
- Terriers have a reputation for being vocal and the Westie is no exception. Socialisation will help to keep the barking to a minimum but this is a breed who like to bark.
West Highland White Terrier training & exercise
Indoors and outdoors, Westies are very different dogs. Calm and quiet in the house, these fun-loving dogs will relish a run around outside.
Training tips
- This intelligent breed is a quick learner and loves training, as long as they know what’s in it for them!
- Clicker training tends to be very effective for Westies
- Westies have a lot of self-esteem and respond best to positive training methods.
- This breed can get bored easily so keep training sessions short.
Exercise
- West Highland White Terriers’ small size means that they don’t need as much exercise as larger breeds, but a daily walk, of around 60 to 90 minutes, is still needed.
- Some Westies love to swim but extra care should be taken around water because this breed is not as at home in the water as others.
Keeping them happy
- Westies are happy to be left alone, as long as they have plenty of toys and games they can entertain themselves with.
- As a natural born digger, many Westies will try and dig for freedom if your garden is not secure.
- At play time, try a treasure hunt. Bury your Westie’s favourite toy or treat in some sand and let them dig it up.
Common West Highland White Terrier health conditions
Like all breeds, Westies are prone to certain conditions, and choosing a reputable breeder or rehoming organisation should be the first step to having a happy and healthy dog. To help you be more aware and prepared for the most common health issues, if they should arise, we have put together some information on the health issues that we see the most in West Highland White Terriers.
Like all dogs, Westies are susceptible to various forms of skin problems, often involving the skin within the ear. The ear canal can become irritated by objects such as grass seeds, or by parasites, allergies or infections. This can lead to a condition called otitis, which simply means ‘inflammation of the ear canal’. It causes an intense itch, leading the dog to shake its head, flap its ears and scratch them using its back paws. If the otitis is due to an allergy, treatment is required for the lifetime of the dog.
Eye disorders are very common in dogs. Dry eye, for example, occurs when a dog isn’t producing sufficient tears. Another common, painful eye irritation is corneal ulceration, which happens when the surface of the cornea is grazed as a result of scratches from other animals or vegetation, or because of foreign material in the eye, chemicals, heat or smoke, or infection. ‘Cherry eye’ occurs when the tear production gland pops out from inside the lower eyelid. Although this isn’t a painful condition, it looks unsightly and will interfere with tear production if it is left untreated. Overall, treatment depends on the type and severity of eye problem (cherry eye, for example, requires surgery). Some treatments may be required for life to keep the dog’s vision in good health.
The skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body and a number of disorders can affect it. Like other dogs, Westies can suffer from allergies that lead to dermatitis (skin inflammation). Allergies can be caused by many different items, including things that are inhaled (such as pollen or dust mites), items that are eaten (for example, wheat), items that the dog comes into contact with (for example, washing powders), or bites from parasites such as fleas. Another skin problem, pyoderma (meaning ‘infection of the skin’) is usually caused by bacteria, fungi (‘ringworm’) or yeasts. Skin disorders can be managed using various treatments, usually required long-term, which means the dog can get on with enjoying life.
A dog’s pancreas produces insulin, which is required to regulate body sugar and fat metabolism. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Certain conditions make dogs more likely to develop diabetes, such as being overweight, inflammation of the pancreas, and drugs that interfere with insulin (such as prescribed steroids and hormones). Also, some breeds are more prone to the illness than others, including Westies. Diabetes can be managed successfully in the long term with an injection of insulin once or twice a day, along with regulated feeding routines.
The cruciate ligaments are found inside the knee joint and hold it stable. Cruciate ligament disease means that this ligament slowly frays and gets weaker and can get worse over time. Treatment for cruciate ligament disease usually is surgery to help stabilise the knee joint. However, like all dogs, Westies can also develop arthritis from this condition, and long-term treatment is often required to keep them active.
West Highland White Terrier grooming
Grooming is an easy business where the Westie is concerned, with minimal brushing and bathing required.
- Westies should be brushed once a week to remove any matting and tangles.
- Considered a low shedding breed, Westies may be more suitable for those with allergies.
West Highland White Terrier nutrition
Westies have particularly sensitive stomachs and can be prone to food allergies and diabetes so the right diet is crucial. If you have concerns about your dog’s specific dietary requirements, you vet will be able to help you choose the right food.
- Many Westies do best on a hypoallergenic diet that is grain-free and contains natural meat proteins.
- Smaller meals help with digestion, so feed twice a day
- As Westies can also suffer from skin conditions you can add fatty acid supplements to their meals; always check this with your vet first, though.
What to know before you buy or rehome a West Highland White Terrier
Considering welcoming a lovable Westie into your home? Before you buy or adopt one, here are a few important things to remember.
- Westies tend to get on well with children, other dogs and even cats but they’re instinct to chase smaller animals is hardwired.
- Westies are more independent than most breeds and will happily be left to their own devices.
- As a terrier, the Westie can be a little more vocal than other breeds; something to consider, especially for those living in apartments
- Choose a licensed and reputable West Highland White Terrier breeder if you’re buying a puppy. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.
- Like all dogs, West Highland White Terriers can suffer from a range of health conditions so always look carefully at the veterinary cover provided when shopping around for pet insurance as not all policies are the same.
West Highland White Terriers frequently asked questions
As a low shedding breed, Westies are generally thought to be suitable for those with allergies. It’s important to remember than no dog is totally hypoallergenic, but there are some breeds that are better for allergy-sufferers than others.
Westies are smart dogs and their inquisitive nature means they love to learn, as long as they know what’s in it for them! Consistency and positive reinforcement is key to training your Westie, just make sure not to overdo it on the treats to avoid unhealthy weight gain.
When it comes to energy levels, Westies vary more than other breeds. Some Westies will be quite content as lapdogs whilst others are prone to bursts of hyperactivity and are full of energy! In general, Westies have a typical terrier spirit and will be active and vocal well into their adult years. Plenty of exercise and mental stimulation will help with hyperactivity and keep unwanted behaviours at bay.
True to their name, Westies, or West Highland White Terriers, come from the Scottish Highlands. Like other terrier breeds, Westies were originally bred for flushing out burrowing animals, and are still outdoorsy dogs who love to dig.
As Terriers, Westies are more independent than other dog breeds and will tolerate being left alone, as long as they have things to do to keep themselves busy. However, a bored Westie may become destructive, so it’s best not to leave them for longer than a few hours and have someone check in on them whilst you’re out.
Westies are generally friendly and sociable and will get on with most people and pets. However, like other Terrier breeds, Westies have a tendency to bark and this can come across as aggressive to others. Early socialisation and plenty of new experiences will help your Westie grow into a well-rounded, confident dog and keep excessive barking at bay.
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West Highland White Terrier insurance considerations
Most Westies live long and happy lives, but they can suffer from specific health problems, like diabetes and skin conditions. That’s why it’s important that when choosing dog insurance, you consider the length of time policies cover different conditions. Petplan’s Covered For Life® plans refresh the veterinary fees each year allowing you to claim for ongoing conditions for the rest of your pet’s life providing there is no break in cover.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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