West Highland White Terrier Breed Information & Characteristics

The West Highland White Terrier is a breed that has an average to high tendency to gain weight if their weight is not closely monitored. It is important to maintain a balance between exercise and food intake to keep them at a healthy weight. This can be achieved by scheduling at least one daily walk and engaging in regular playtime with them.

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, West Highland White Terriers are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Affectionate
Courageous
Friendly
Independent
Alert
Intelligent

West Highland White Terrier will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

The West Highland White Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Scotland

scottish, skye, dandie dinmont, and cairn terriers

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
Club Espanol De Terriers

1800s

Terrier (AKC:1908)(UKC)

Brown

Black

White

The coat of a West Highland White Terrier falls in the medium length category.

Straight

A West Highland White Terrier can have a litter of 12-16 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

The adaptability of West Highland White Terrier dogs is a well-known trait, they are known for being able to adjust well to different living environments and lifestyle changes.

The West Highland White Terrier is a very healthy breed, with little need for frequent vet visits. However, it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Inguinal Hernias
Copper Toxicosis
Addison's Disease
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Craniomandibular Osteopathy

Hip
Knee
Blood Test
X-Rays
Physical Examination

West Highland White Terriers are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

West Highland White Terrier have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

The West Highland White Terrier dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

West Highland White Terriers dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

The West Highland White Terrier is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

West Highland White Terrier dogs bark and howl frequently, they are not a good fit for quiet homes.

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Belly rubs, Walking, Petting, Playing, Nap, Walk, Play, Run, Walking slow, Daily walks, River rafting, Camping, Hike

West Highland White Terriers are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For West Highland White Terrier, it's at least 6 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most West Highland White Terriers usually need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

The West Highland White Terrier is a breed of dog that requires a significant amount of grooming. They will also require regular trims, and a professional groomer's help is often necessary to keep their coat in good condition. They may also need regular baths to maintain their coat and skin.

West Highland White Terrier should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Pin Brush
Comb
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

For an average 15-21 pound (7 - 10 kg) West Highland White Terrier feed 1.8 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of a West Highland White Terrier is somewhere $1.40 - $1.40 per day.

The average per month expenses of a West Highland White Terrier is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

West Highland White Terriers has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The West Highland White Terrier is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

West Highland White Terriers are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

West Highland White Terriers are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

West Highland White Terriers are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

West Highland White Terriers are friendly, active and loyal companions. They generally love to be around other dogs, making them a good family pet for some,

West Highland White Terriers are friendly dogs and won't commonly bark at strangers. However, if you wish to change this, training them is easy. With their intelligence, teaching this breed to do anything is pretty simple.

West Highland White Terriers are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older West Highland White Terrier for a mellower experience.

West Highland White Terrier dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.