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The West Highland White Terrier (fondly known as the ‘Westie’ to aficionados) is a hugely popular breed all around the world. This article takes a deep dive into everything Westie- from their looks and temperament to their health predispositions, training, and grooming.
An up to date guide written in 2025, read on if you want the most recent advice and information on this little and lovable terrier. Whether you’re considering getting one or already have one (or more!) at home, you’ve come to the right place. After you’ve finished reading, you’ll be the expert in the West Highland White Terrier.
Lifespan
12 - 16 years
Size
Small
Weight
15 - 22 pounds
Height
10 - 11 inches
Colors
Pure white only
Size of home
As a small, compact breed, Westies adapt well to various living spaces—apartments or houses. However, they need a secure area (especially outdoors), since they’re agile, good jumpers, and some enjoy digging
Exercise
Moderate to high: 20–60 min daily + interactive play
Grooming
Weekly brushing, occasional baths, hand-stripping or clipping every 4–6 weeks, plus dental, ear, nail care
The Westie is a member of the Terrier family of dogs and is relatively small, yet stocky. They reach heights of about 25cm to 28cm, with females generally being smaller than males. Weight-wise, most breed members are around 7kg to 9kg.
This is a breed with dark brown eyes, erect (pointed) ears and a slightly domed skull with smooth contours. Their body is well-muscled and they should have a deep chest and a back that is not overly long. Tails should be straight rather than kinked, and measure up to 15cm.
Westies have a white coat that feels quite harsh to the touch and that is a double coat. A small bit of pink pigment on the nose and paw pads is permissible in younger dogs, but this typically darkens to a black as they get older.
A Westie is a terrier through and through- tenacious, confident and loyal to their owners. They are fun-loving, friendly and a little bit mischievous, but with a heart of gold. They know their mind and are not especially prone to nervous behaviours or anxiety.
The West Highland Terrier temperament is influenced by genetics, but also by the environment that the dog is raised in and their life experiences. For an adult Westie dog to be sociable and well-mannered, breeders and owners need to put the work in during their formative months, in the first 16-20 weeks of life.
Many of the Westies that have been raised with children in their family are tolerant of them and make lovely companions.
However, some individuals can be snappy and short-tempered around young children, particularly if they did not spend time near bouncy toddlers or energetic young kids in their first year of life.
Bear in mind that this was a dog bred for hunting, so they will have quite strong prey instincts. This means they may struggle to co-exist with cats if not raised with them from a young age, and living freely with a pet rabbit or guinea pig is almost definitely a no. They should get along fine with other dogs, just as long as they’re socialized well in their first months of life.
This is a Scottish Highland breed and they were owned by Scotsmen and women for many years- working on the land and hunting vermin, weasels and foxes.
Cleverly, their owners bred them to be white so there was a lower chance of them getting mistakenly shot by the hunters when running at a distance. There are some historical accounts claiming that this was a direct consequence of a much loved darker-furred dog getting shot by its owner.
Their original name was the ‘Poltalloch Terrier’ and this was a nod to the Scottish family of Malcolm's family estate who love the breed. Over 100 years ago, in 1907, West Highland Terriers were admitted into the UK Kennel Club and in this same year they made their first appearance in the internationally renowned dog show: Crufts. In 2016, a Westie known as Devon won best in show.
Westies are quick to catch on and canny; able to learn lots of tricks and capable of being obedient and well-mannered. They are smart and logical, though not the most biddable of breeds. You may have to put some extra effort into convincing them that they want to be part of the training session, as not all breed members are dedicated learners.
These dogs respond best to positive training techniques and you can keep them on your side with consistent praise and high value treats. If they know good behaviour earns them kind words and a morsel of chicken or hot dog, they are much more likely to play ball.
Owners are often keen to train their terrier to not have a prey drive, to never bark and to leave flowerbeds untouched (despite their desire to dig, dig, dig). Ultimately, these are inherent traits and not usually something that can be totally ‘trained’ out of the breed.
Yes, this is a little dog, but they still need plenty of exercise. This is not only to keep them fit and healthy, but also to ensure they do not become bored or frustrated at home.
As they are an active dog that have come from working stock, you should be aiming for at least 45 minutes of daily exercise, and ideally more than this. Some great options include off-lead walks (once trained in recall), agility classes and canine sports like Flyball.
Lots of West Highland White Terriers like to play with balls and some will happily play Fetch every day if allowed. However, it is best to offer a variety of activities for them, so they do not become obsessive.
Perhaps most importantly, owners cannot neglect their mental enrichment. A walk, for example, should not just be an opportunity to walk from A to B, along the same route every day. These intelligent dogs like to have their brain challenged. This can mean setting up scenting trails and games, hiking along different routes and letting them sniff. It is also encouraged to offer food puzzles and chews inside the home.
This adorable dog is moderately difficult to keep well groomed, so owners must be prepared for the day to day maintenance that is involved in their upkeep. Most Westie owners keep their coat cut short, to help prevent tangles and mats, and to keep them cooler in warm weather. Hair cuts can be done about 4-5 times a year.
Younger dogs do not need their claws cut regularly, as long as they are being walked on hard surfaces. However, they have a dew claw on the side of each front leg, and this does need to be trimmed about every 8 weeks.
If you can, try to brush your Westie’s teeth at least 2-3 times a week. This helps to remove plaque, which goes a long way towards reducing dental disease development in their future.
Their erect ears are not prone to ear infection or waxy build up, but some individuals may need their ears cleaned out with doggy ear cleaners a couple of times a month. This is generally true of Westies that have atopic skin disease.
You don’t want to bathe your dog too often as this can dry out the skin and strip away the natural oils. These guys are prone to dry skin and tend to be lacking in oils. However, many Westies live with chronic skin disease, and need regular baths in medicated washes. Your vet can guide you on the best plan, which will be tailored to your pet.
A good diet is balanced- containing all of the macro and micro nutrients that the dog needs to support their body. This is most easily achieved by offering a commercial diet. Try to opt for a more whole foods diet, that lists meat or fish as the first ingredient. Steer clear of overly-processed foods and those containing artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.
Many West Highland White Terriers have food allergies. These dogs need to avoid their allergens at all times. This can mean eating a novel protein diet, or a prescribed hydrolysed diet. Dogs need to stick to their diets, to prevent skin and gastrointestinal disease from flaring up.
Kibbles may be preferable for those Westies prone to dental disease, as softer food options tend to cake on the teeth. However, for those who have bladder stones or kidney disease, a wet diet is a better choice.
Unfortunately, there are quite a few medical conditions that the Westie is prone to, and it is not uncommon for a middle-aged Westie dog to have some sort of chronic health problem. Still, many live good quality lives well into their teens. A typical lifespan is 12 to 14 years.
Let’s take a look at some of the more common health conditions they are predisposed to:
Sadly for them, the West Highland Terrier dog breed is probably the pooch that is most notorious for dealing with lifelong allergies and skin disease. Many breed members have allergies and a large number of these dogs are severely affected.
Signs include red and itchy skin, particularly affecting the paws, groin, armpits, face, and anus. Many dogs have chronic secondary yeast infections and the Westie is highly prone to developing a Malasezzia yeast infection, which can make the skin thick, musty smelling and dark.
Westies can be allergic to things in their environment (like grass, pollen, or dust mites) or their diet (such as chicken, beef, peas, or grains).
Many actually have both food and environmental allergies. Determining what your dog reacts to can mean a combination of testing (such as IgE blood tests) and monitoring for patterns.
Although atopic dermatitis is not something that can be cured, dogs can be managed by seeing their vet regularly and taking medication as prescribed. This usually means a combination of anti-itch medicine (such as Apoquel and Cytopoint), antibiotics, skin supplements, and medicated washes.
This is a chronic, progressive lung disease that causes an ongoing dry cough and trouble keeping up with exercise. The scarred lung tissue is less capable of transferring oxygen and lung sounds will be crackly as the disease progresses.
Dogs are diagnosed with a combination of history taking, imaging such as a chest X-ray and bronchoalveolar lavage (sampling the cells and fluid in the lower airways).
Although this is not a disease that can be cured, most dogs can be managed for many months after diagnosis with medicine such as steroids, cough suppressants, and bronchodilators.
Diabetes in Westies causes a range of signs including excess hunger, excess thirst and rapid weight loss. These dogs are unable to utilize the sugar in their bloodstream. Diagnosis is confirmed with a blood and urine test.
This is not a condition that can be reversed in the dog, but many patients can be well managed with daily insulin injections and diet. Patients require regular monitoring and can be prone to ketoacidosis and urinary infections.
Another hormonal disease, Addison’s disease is not particularly common. When it occurs, it is usually seen in middle-aged, female Westies.
Symptoms are vague and can wax and wane, making it a particularly tricky disease to diagnose. Some of the more common signs include gastrointestinal upset, bloody stool, lethargy, and vomiting.
Blood tests can diagnose it, and patients are managed with lifelong medication.
Mitral valve disease causes turbulent blood flow within the heart and the heart is unable to function properly, leading to fluid build up in the lungs and abdomen. Symptoms can include a chronic cough, swollen belly, and trouble keeping up with exercise.
This condition is diagnosed with a chest X-ray and/or heart scan, and treatment typically includes medication that is taken every day. A low sodium diet is also advised.
As is true of many smaller breeds, Westies are prone to dental disease. Many will need a dental or two in their lifetime- to remove built up calculus and potentially extract any rotten teeth.
Signs of dental disease include bad breath, red gums, drooling, and a visible brown build up on the surface of the teeth. Even Westies with advanced dental disease will continue to eat, so do not assume your dog has good dental health just because they are eating!
As Westies get older, some of them will develop dry eyes due to a reduced tear production. This can lead to recurrent eye infections and even corneal ulcers. Vets can check the tear production by using a Schirmer Tear Test- a quick, 2 minute test that is done on the conscious dog while on the consulting table.
Those with dry eyes will need ongoing eye drops to replace the tears and stimulate the tear glands. These dogs should regularly have their eyes checked, as they will be prone to infections and ulcers for the rest of their life.
If your Westie starts to skip for a few steps as they walk or run, this could be a case of their knee cap popping out of place. The severity is graded between a one and a four, with four being the most severe. Those dogs that have a grade 3 or 4 luxation usually benefit from surgery, to correct the issue.
For all of those affected, it helps to maintain a slim weight and to not over-do exercise. Joint supplements may be beneficial for some. Owners should also consider physiotherapy or hydrotherapy, if their vet is in agreement.
Westies fit into a variety of household settings and can live with families, people who live by themselves and retired owners. They make a suitable choice for first time owners too. Caution is advised when young children are present, as some dogs can be irritable.
With regards the environment they’re kept in, they thrive whether in an apartment, small home or even a farm. As they are small, they do not need a great deal of space to thrive.
If there are other dogs in the home, they will likely be able to integrate. For households who have a cat (or a smaller pet like a rabbit or guinea pig), it may be hard to get them to peacefully co-exist.
It is hugely exciting to be choosing a puppy, but also a bit daunting. It can be difficult to predict how this little white fluffball will fit into your life, and to know what sort of personality they will have.
It is a good idea to opt for one that is alert and playful, rather than cowering or scared. They should be happy for you to touch them and approach them, though they may need a few minutes to get used to you.
Never buy from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, as many will have dogs in unsuitable conditions and will breed sick or elderly dogs. Ask to see the puppies with their mum and in their home, so you know they are well cared for.
Buying a Westie in this day and age is going to set you back about $1,500 to $5,000. Those that cost more usually come from breeders with a good reputation, and who health-screen their breeding dogs. Buying from a source like this does not guarantee a happy and healthy adult dog, but does make it much more likely.
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