West Highland White Terrier (Westie) Characteristics: The sweet-tempered and warmhearted West Highland White Terrier or "Westie" is a breed of small dog classified as a member of the Terrier Dog Group (AKC:1908). The Westie, is characterized by its hardy, appealing, compact appearance with its distinctive white, thick coat, muscular neck and body, powerful legs and an alert, inquisitive expression. Other characteristics of the Westie include dark, medium sized, well set eyes; small, high set, V-shaped ears; a short, erect, straight tail and a jaunty gait. The temperament of the Westie can be described as Courageous, Affectionate, Alert. The coat type of the Westie is described as straight, hard coat in white coat color. Due to its characteristics and qualities, the Westie demonstrated the desired traits of a Watch dog and Hunting Dog and is known by its nick name the "Westie". The origin of the Westie dog breed was in United Kingdom (Scotland) where it was developed in the 1800's. Fast Facts about the Westie: The following facts provide fast information about the Westie breed. Size: Small *** Westie Breed Group: Terrier Dog Group (AKC:1908) *** Nick name: "Westie" *** Origin: United Kingdom (Scotland) *** Male Height: 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) *** Female Height: 9-11 inches (23-28 cm) *** Male Weight: 15-22 pounds (7-10 kg) *** Female Weight: 13-16 pounds (6-7 kg) *** Coat Type: straight, hard coat *** Coat Colors: white coat color *** Litter Size: 2-5 puppies *** Health Problems: Legge-Perthes disease, Patellar Luxation *** Lifespan: 12-16 years *** Hypoallergenic: Yes Westie Breed Group and Dog Type - Terrier Dog Group (AKC:1908): The West Highland White Terrier, the "Westie" is one of the many breeds of dogs that belong to the Terrier Dog Group (AKC:1908). Other names for the Westie: The West Highland White Terrier is known by the nickname of the "Westie". Other names for this breed of dog include the Westie, Westy, Poltalloch Terrier, Roseneath Terrier and White Roseneath Terrier. (These nicknames are explained in the Westie History and Origin). Origin of the name: The origin of the name "West Highland White Terrier" derives from its place of origin in the West Highlands of Scotland. The origin of the word 'terrier' is derived from the Latin word 'terra' meaning "earth" as so many of the terrier breeds were originally bred and trained as hunting dogs to pursue their prey, such as rats, foxes, squirrels and badgers into their burrows and bolt holes. Westie History and Origin: The country of origin of the Westie breed was in United Kingdom (Scotland) during the 1800's. The story of the West Highland White Terrier is centered in the Scottish Highlands. The Duke of Argyll, the head of the Clan Campbell, had a castle in Roseneath in the 1800's where he kept a kennel of predominantly white "Roseneath Terriers". The Roseneath Terriers were the ancestors of the West Highland White Terrier breed. The new small breed of white terriers came about due to a hunting accident. In 1860, Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of Poltalloch (1837 -1930 - the 16th Laird of Poltalloch and chieftain of the Clan Malcolm which was known by the feudal title of 'Malcolm of Poltalloch') was out hunting with his favourite terrier which was a reddish-brown dog. His much loved dog was running through the undergrowth, was mistaken for a fox, and was shot and killed. The Colonel was so upset by the loss of his dog that he decided to only have white dogs in his kennels and made the decision to start a breeding program crossbreeding his own terriers with the white Roseneath Terriers and the Wire Fox Terrier. After years of experimenting the family of Clan Malcolm family developed the small, white strain of "Poltalloch Terriers" that was eventually became known by its present name, the West Highland White Terrier or the Westie. The appeal of the Westie proved to be highly valuable in commercial advertising and has been symbolic since the 1890s as the trademark for the Black & White? brand of Scotch whisky. The Westie was successfully exported to the United States and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1908. Westie Modern History: The modern history of the Westie moved on the advertising appeal of the Westie continues today in Cesar?, the brand of dog food made specially for small dogs like the West Highland White Terrier. Westie Height: The Westie breed is classified as a small sized dog. The height to the shoulder of a male dog is 10-12 inches (25-30 cm). The height to the shoulder of a female dog is 9-11 inches (23-28 cm). Westie Weight: The weight of this small sized dog, in a Westie male dog is 15-22 pounds (7-10 kg). The weight of the smaller female Westie dog is 13-16 pounds (6-7 kg). Westie Coat Type - LOW shedding coat: The Westie coat type is described as straight, hard coat. Westie Coat Colors: This much loved dog breed has a distinctive white coat color. It is said that the white coat was a deliberate requirement of the breed to prevent the Westie being mistaken for a fox and mistakenly shot during fox hunts. Westie Grooming - MODERATE Grooming Needs: The dog grooming needs of the Westie is not extensive and therefore categorized as Moderate in order to maintain a healthy coat, reducing the risk of skin infections. The modest grooming needs of the Westie is considered to be mid-maintenance requiring weekly brushing and combing. Dog Grooming Requirements should include bathing the dog on a monthly basis and making regular inspections of the teeth, eyes, nails and ears. Westie Litter Size: The litter size of this dog breed ranges from 2-5 puppies. Westie puppies for sale can be obtained reputable breeders and from rescue centers. The cost of Westie puppies varies depending on location, pedigree history and the dog breeder. Westie Temperament and personality: The temperament and personality of the popular Westie dog breed is described as Sweet-tempered, Courageous, Affectionate, Alert and Warmhearted. Westie Exercise Requirements - LOW Exercise Requirements: The exercise requirements of this breed of dog is low. The Westie requires regular daily exercise consisting of approximately 30 minutes to one hour every day. This small dog has a strong, jaunty gait with small strides and only requires a fairly slow speed by the owner to meet the dogs exercise requirements. Remember that it would take a lot of extra steps by your Westie to keep up with your normal walking pace. Westie Diet: A fully grown Westie should be fed twice a day. A diet consisting of a premium dog food can be balanced with fresh food eaten by the family. The question is What Can Dogs Eat?. Check out our comprehensive list of what dogs can and what dogs cannot eat. Westie Health Problems: Potential health problems of the Westie breed include Legge-Perthes disease, Patellar Luxation . Resolving health problems can prove to be expensive and it is always wise to obtain pet insurance or dog health insurance when buying a dog. Is the Westie dog breed said to be Hypoallergenic? Answer: Yes (Refer to Hypoallergenic Dogs). Westie Lifespan: The life expectancy of dogs vary according to the size, breed of dog and any serious health problems. The typical lifespan of the Westie breed is 12-16 years. Westie Male Dog Names: Male Dog names are most often chosen to reflect favorite names of the owner or the strength, size, coloring and country of origin of the Westie breed. To give you some inspiration regarding good male Westie names our small selection might be of help with naming boy dogs. Our top male dog names are: Robbie *** Balfour *** Fraser *** Piper *** Storm *** Taylor *** Lachlan *** Ramsay *** Scotty *** Ross *** Lundy. Westie Female Dog Names: Female Dog names tend to be softer, prettier and reflect the temperament of the girl dog. Our top choice of good female Westie names are Demi *** Bonnie *** Cora *** Jaimie *** Tally *** Daisy *** Nessa *** Teva *** Vika *** Tory *** Nessa. Fast Facts about the Westie: The following facts provide fast information about the Westie breed. Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris *** Westie Dog Breed Group: Terrier Dog Group (AKC:1908) *** Size: Small *** Country of Origin: United Kingdom (Scotland) *** History / Date: 1800's *** Male Westie Height: 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) *** Male Weight: 15-22 pounds (7-10 kg) *** Coat Type: straight, hard coat *** Litter Size: 2-5 puppies *** Health Problems: Hip dysplasia, thyroid, and joint problems *** Westie Lifespan: 12-16 years *** | 