West Highland Terrier breed guide

For a small dog whose cheeky face matches their charming personality, look no further than the loveable West Highland terrier!

Read our guide to find out more about the bold West Highland terrier breed…

Please note: We’ll refer to dogs of the West Highland terrier breed as ‘Westie’ or ‘Westies’ throughout this breed guide. 

West Highland terrier breed history

There’s some debate as to exactly when the story of the West Highland terrier began. However, most sources agree that Westies originated in the Scottish Highlands during the 19^th century.

It’s believed Westies were developed from Cairn terriers and Scottish terriers, who were small-sized dogs bred to hunt animals like otters, foxes, hares, and rats. Due to the dark colouring of these terriers, some were sadly mistaken for foxes and accidentally shot by their owners while hunting.

To prevent these tragedies from occurring, white dogs were preferred by hunters at the time, since their light-coloured coat made them easier to see against the rugged Scottish landscape.

Eventually, the West Highland terrier was recognised as a pedigree breed by the Kennel Club in 1907. Today, the Westie is still one of the most popular dogs of the ‘terrier’ group!  

Common characteristics of the West Highland terrier breed

Please remember that the following characteristics are considered ‘average’ for West Highland terriers, and since each dog is a unique individual, your Westie’s characteristics may differ. 

Average height for a West Highland terrier

The average height for a Westie is 25-28cm, at the shoulder.

Average weight for a West Highland terrier

Most Westies tend to weigh approximately 6-10kg.

Average lifespan for a West Highland terrier

Generally, Westies have a lifespan of around 12-16 years.

Typical West Highland terrier appearance

West Highland terriers have a compact frame with a petite body and relatively short legs. They also have tiny paws that are protected by thick paw pads – ‘pawfect’ for adventuring across different types of terrain!

Along with their straight, high-set tail, the Westie’s signature pointy ears and adorable fox-like face add to the appeal of this charming, little dog.

A Westie has a double coat that is medium in length, with a harsh-textured topcoat and soft undercoat. To keep their coat clean and in tip top condition, you’ll need to brush your Westie’s coat daily. Occasionally, your Westie may need to get their coat clipped by a professional groomer, too – especially during warmer weather.

It’s helpful to wipe your Westie’s face frequently as well, to clear any stains that can easily build up and quickly become visible against their pale coat.

West Highland terriers can only have white coats, so they are never seen with any other coat colours.  

Typical West Highland terrier temperament

Their loyal nature and confident personality make the West Highland terriers a fantastic companion to families and lone pet parents alike. Not only are Westies affectionate dogs who adore spending time with their pet parents, but they also enjoy being involved in family activities, like pet-friendly picnics and exploring new places!

Your Westie is an active dog who’ll need at least an hour’s exercise a day – preferably broken up into two shorter walks, instead of one longer walk.

Since they’re such intelligent dogs, West Highland terriers can be excellent to train, as long as you find the right reward to motivate them and overcome their independent (sometimes stubborn) attitude!

A high prey drive can mean your Westie is likely to become distracted while out and about though, so it’s essential to work on developing strong recall skills. Additionally, because Westies have such a high prey drive, you’ll need to introduce them safely to other small dogs and cats, to make sure they get along well.

Some Westies are known to be instinctively wary of unfamiliar dogs and people, so it’s important to socialise them from a young age. In line with the Westie’s tendency to be cautious of strangers and protect their pet parents, it’s not unusual for them to bark a lot either. So, don’t forget to visit our article about how to manage your dog’s barking, for handy hints to help your Westie feel calmer and less inclined to bark!

West Highland terrier health conditions

It’s not unusual for pedigree breeds to be prone to certain health concerns, and, unfortunately, Westies are no exception. Here are a few health conditions commonly seen in the West Highland terrier:

• Skin allergies.
• Luxating patellas (kneecaps that slip out of place).
• Eye problems (like dry eye).
• Ear conditions.
• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a type of lung disease).

Remember: Keep an eye out for any health issues your Westie may develop, and get your canine companion checked by a vet if you have any concerns.

Fun facts about West Highland terriers

Fact 1 – Westies are also known as ‘West Highland white terriers’.

Fact 2 – Before they became the ‘West Highland terrier’, this lovely, little dog was referred to as the ‘Poltalloch terrier’ and the ‘Roseneath terrier’.

Fact 3 – Many celebrities love the West Highland terrier breed, including Whoopi Goldberg, Hugh Laurie, and Matthew McConaughey!

Fact 4 – The reason Westies have such a loud bark is because their owners wanted to be able to find them easily if they ever got stuck underground while hunting.

Fact 5 – Due to the skin on their ears being highly sensitive, Westies need to have dog-safe suncream applied to their ears during sunny weather, to limit the risk of sunburn.