West Highland White Terrier Breed Introduction
English Name: West Highland White Terrier
Other Names: West Highland White Terrier, Poltalloch Terrier
Origin: United Kingdom
Intelligence Ranking: 47th place
Size: Small breed
Height at Shoulder: 25-28 cm (9.8-11 inches)
Weight: 7-10 kg (15.4-22 lbs)
Coat Type: Long-haired
Primary Functions: Companion dog, Terrier, Hunting dog
The Evolution and History of the West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier and all Scottish Terriers likely share a common ancestor. The Scottish Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and West Highland White Terrier are all descended from this shared lineage.
Experts believe that the West Highland White Terrier originated in Poltalloch, Scotland. They were present there for over a century before their first public exhibition. In 1916, Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch mentioned that both his father and grandfather had bred these dogs. The lineage of Malcolm’s dogs might date back to King James I’s era when he requested native dogs from Argyleshire.
Years ago, the West Highland White Terrier was called the Roseneath Terrier or Poltalloch Terrier. The name Roseneath is derived from a Duke in Dumbartonshire, Scotland.
This breed made its debut at Crufts in London in 1907 and was registered with the American Kennel Club for the first time in 1908 under the name Roseneath Terrier. It was officially renamed to West Highland White Terrier on May 31, 1909.
Characteristics and Identification of West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier (commonly known as the Westie) is a small dog breed that hails from Scotland. Known for its compact size and lively disposition, it has become a beloved family pet.
Physical Characteristics
- Head: The Westie’s head is slightly rounded with erect, pointed ears and medium-sized deep brown eyes.
- Body: This breed features a compact body with a straight back and a deep, broad chest.
- Coat: The coat is coarse, hard, and stands upright. It is predominantly pure white.
- Limbs: The limbs are short yet strong and powerful, ending in black claws.
Key Identification Features
- Ears: One of the distinguishing features of the Westie is its erect and pointed ears.
- Coat Color: The most striking feature of the Westie is its pure white coat.
- Size: Although small in stature, the Westie has a compact and muscular build.
West Highland White Terrier Personality Characteristics
The West Highland White Terrier is an all-around terrier. In the outdoors, they make excellent hunting dogs—agile, clever, and quick. Indoors, they embody all the traits of an ideal pet: loyalty, understanding, dedication, liveliness, and enthusiasm.
Their patience is one of the reasons many people love keeping them as pets. They don’t require much pampering from humans and enjoy playing in water or snow. They love following skiers or hikers across frozen rivers and icy harbors without getting tired thanks to their high energy levels. Grooming them is easy since minimal trimming keeps them looking natural.
They are naturally active and curious. With a hunter’s spirit, they exhibit bravery and competitiveness while being fiercely loyal to their owners. Some might say they bark a lot; historically, this was to alert their owners about pests’ locations. Nowadays, this trait makes them excellent watchdogs as they only bark at strangers to warn their owners about someone approaching their home. Like other terriers, they love digging holes in the yard—a fun activity for them. If digging and barking are primary instincts for them, then curiosity is certainly our secondary nature.