West Highland White Terrier breed guide: Care, training, and fun facts
Breed guide overview
About West Highland White Terriers
Temperament
Exercise
Grooming
Training
Diet
Health
About the West Highland White Terrier breed
West Highland White Terriers, or Westies for short, are a delightful and charismatic breed that originated in Scotland. They were originally bred for hunting small game, particularly rodents, and their keen instincts and tenacious nature reflect this heritage.
Westies are known for their distinctive, dense, double-layered white coats, which not only give them their iconic look but also provide protection in harsh weather. Their friendly, confident, and spirited personalities make them a popular choice for families and individuals alike.
Weight, height & life expectancy
They have a sturdy and compact build, with an average height of 28 cm and a weight ranging from 6 to 9 kg.
West Highland White Terriers have a life expectancy of around 12-16 years.
What is the temperament of West Highland White Terriers like?
Westies are renowned for their bold, confident, and affectionate nature. Their charming and playful personalities make them a joy to have around, and they are always eager to join in on family activities. These spirited little dogs form strong bonds with their families and thrive on companionship, often showing a loyal and protective side despite their small size.
Westies are generally good with children, but their terrier instincts mean they may not tolerate rough handling, so interactions with younger kids should be supervised. Early socialization is crucial to help them become well-rounded and comfortable around other dogs, animals, and new experiences.
While Westies are intelligent and eager to please, they can have a stubborn streak typical of terriers. With the right approach, Westies’ tenacity and intelligence can make them delightful and entertaining companions.
Our West Highland White Terrier Community
"Baggins loves a cuddle and a good belly or back rub; like all of us. He's got a brilliant character, he knows his own mind and he's sassy with it. That said, he loves food, so treats can get him to do anything!"
Baggins' owner, Veronica from Hastings
"Fergus is affectionate and loves to be cuddled and stroked. He’s sensitive and a very good companion. Finn is the younger of the two and playful. He likes to snuggle up to you but will move if you stroke him."
Fergus and Finn's owner, Nicola from Sunderland
How much exercise does a West Highland White Terrier need?
West Highland White Terriers have moderate exercise needs and should receive around 30-60 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy daily walks, interactive play sessions, and mental stimulation.
While they have energy to spare, they are not as demanding as some high-energy breeds. They also enjoy exploring their surroundings, so providing a safe and secure outdoor are is beneficial. Westies appreciate a balance between physical activities and mental enrichment, such as puzzle toys or obedience training.
West Highland White Terrier puppies have plenty of energy and curiosity. However, their growing bodies require controlled exercise to avoid stressing their developing bones and joints. Puppies should have several short play sessions throughout the day, totalling around 20-30 minutes.
Gentle activities such as supervised indoor play, short walks, and basic obedience training are suitable for their age. Avoid intense exercise or long walks until their bones are fully developed, usually around 9-12 months.
Consult with your veterinarian for specific exercise recommendations based on your puppy's age and development.
Do West Highland White Terriers need a lot of grooming?
West Highland White Terriers have a distinctive white double coat that requires regular grooming to keep it looking its best and maintaining its texture. Their coat consists of a dense, harsh outer layer and a soft, thick undercoat that provides protection and insulation. To prevent matting and remove loose hair, Westies should be brushed at least two to three times per week using a slicker brush or comb designed for double-coated breeds.
Professional grooming every 6-8 weeks is recommended to trim and shape their coat while preserving its unique texture. Hand-stripping may also be done to maintain the natural look and feel of the coat, especially for show dogs, though clipping is sufficient for most pet Westies.
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. If you can’t manage that often, just do it as often as you can.
Are West Highland White Terriers easy to train?
West Highland White Terriers are intelligent and quick learners, but their independent and determined nature can sometimes present challenges during training. While they are generally eager to please, their terrier instincts may lead them to test boundaries, making consistency and patience essential.
Positive reinforcement techniques, such as using treats, praise, and play, are particularly effective in motivating Westies. They thrive on reward-based training methods and respond best when sessions are upbeat and engaging. Early socialisation is crucial to help them develop good manners and adapt well to various environments, people, and other animals.
Keeping training sessions interesting and varied is important to hold their attention and prevent boredom. Short, focused sessions are typically more productive, as Westies may lose interest in repetitive or overly long lessons. With a firm yet gentle approach and a bit of creativity, Westies can become well-behaved, obedient, and delightful companions.
What do West Highland White Terriers eat?
West Highland White Terriers should be fed a balanced, high-quality dog food that is appropriate for their age, size, and activity level. Most do well being fed twice daily.
Puppies have specific nutritional requirements for growth, and they should be fed a specially formulated puppy food until they reach their full adult size, usually around 9-12 months. Puppies should be fed 3-4 times a day until they are 6 months old, then this can be reduced to twice daily.
It's important to monitor their weight and adjust their portion sizes accordingly to prevent obesity. Treats should be given in moderation and as part of their overall daily calorie intake.
Are West Highland White Terriers healthy?
West Highland White Terriers are generally a healthy breed, but they may be prone to certain health conditions. Some of the health concerns that can affect Westies include:
Bones and Joints
Craniomandibular osteopathy - This is a bone disorder that can affect the jaw, causing pain and difficulty in eating
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: a hip condition that affects the blood supply to the head of the femur bone, leading to breakdown of the bone, pain and lameness
Luxating patella - this is when a dog’s kneecap moves out of where it should normally be
Eyes
Dry eye - an ongoing condition where the tear glands in the eyes don’t produce enough protective tear film, which can lead to discomfort, infections and damage of the eye
Respiratory
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis - the lungs become inflamed, scarred and thickened, resulting in signs including difficulty breathing and coughing
Skin
Atopy - when the immune system overreacts to an allergen and results in skin irritation
This list is by no means comprehensive, so if you have any concerns about the health of your dog or want to discuss further if a Westie is right for you, consult with your vet.
Vet top tip
West Highland White Terriers can be prone to skin allergies and sensitivities. To help prevent issues, feed them a high-quality diet, avoid harsh shampoos, and regularly check their skin for redness, itching, or irritation. If skin problems arise, consult your vet promptly for treatment and advice.
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Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive. If you ever have any concerns about your dog’s health contact your local vet.
