The West Highland White Terrier is an adaptable, intelligent, and confident little dog, The West Highland White Terrier has become an enormously popular family pet over the years. These spirited dogs thrive on the affection, interaction, and companionship of their owners. The West Highland White Terrier dogs has lots of energy to burn up. This breed of is not the right choice of for those with little time or inclination to be active. The West Highland White Terrier dogs do need a fair amount of exercise, preferably interactive play and activity. The West Highland White Terrier breed of is courageous, inquisitive, and loves to chase. This breed of must be supervised in a safe and secure area when he is not on a leash. These dogs can be a little arrogant, stubborn, and demanding, and are best suited to those with some experience of ownership and training. The West Highland White Terrier dogs are very intelligent, eager to please. Quick to learn, the West Highland White Terrier makes training less of a challenge. These dogs also have excellent problem solving skills.

The West Highland White Terrier will bark to raise an alarm, which makes this breed an effective watchdog. The West Highland White Terrier dogs love to dig, and many are a little too fond of the sound of their own bark, so be prepared for anything but a quiet life. The West Highland White Terrier can have a possessive streak when it comes to his food and belongings. He tends to try to dominant same sex dogs. He does not get along well with cats at all. Because of his high prey instinct, the West Highland White Terrier will avidly chase and probably catch smaller running dogs and other pets. This should not be trusted around them. The West Highland White Terrier tends to get along with visitors, and is fine around older, gentle children. Younger kids may be too boisterous and rough for his liking.

The West Highland White Terrier or the Westie is a hardy developed in Scotland to hunt small game. It has a compact body and short muscular legs with an upright tail measuring about 5 to 6 inches long. Its ears are small and pointed and are carried erect. The Westies coat consists of a soft thick undercoat and an outer coat of coarse straight hair about 2 inches long. It closely resembles a Cairn Terrier which is believed to be its ancestor. It used to be known as the Poltalloch Terrier after the man who developed the modern Westie. He believed that the use of white dogs in hunting vermin is more advantageous due to its high visibility amongst the rocks.

Other previous names were Roseneath Terrier and White Roseneath Terrier.


West Highland White Terrier Skills
Being a descendent of working terriers, the West Highland White Terrier has been used to hunt for foxes and other small animals such as squirrels. Modern Westies have become more popular as pets, show dogs and obedience competitors. Some have been used as hearing dogs, therapy dogs, tracking dogs and have been used in various commercials and advertisements.

West Highland White Terrier Personality
West Highland White Terriers have a lively disposition which makes them ideal family dogs. This breed is very intelligent, highly trainable, faithful, courageous, is good with children and very devoted to its owner. Extreme affection is very evident in its dealings with its owners but it cannot be trusted with small animals due to its natural inclination towards hunting. Proper training can make a Westie a good obedience dog. It thrives best under lots of attention.

West Highland White Terrier Exercise Needs
A Westie does not require a huge amount of exercise but opportunities for boredom should be avoided as it is usually the cause for the to create trouble. Being earth dogs, they do like to dig. A regular walk or playtime in the park would be quite beneficial to the dog.

West Highland White Terrier Living Conditions
Environment in a town, city or country may all be equally suitable for a West Highland White Terrier. A home without a yard is acceptable since it is quite active indoors. However, it will appreciate the outdoors to dig as they are essentially earth dogs.

West Highland White Terrier Grooming Requirements
The harsh short haired double coat of a Westie is reasonably easy to groom. A stiff bristle brush can be used for regular brushing to keep the coat clean. A trim every four months and stripping twice a year is recommended. Frequent bathing should be avoided as this usually causes dry skin. Washing once a month or on a longer interval is usually sufficient. However, weekly washing of the inside of the ears is preferable to avoid wax build-up.

West Highland White Terrier Health Issues
The West Highland White Terrier is a fairly healthy breed but may be prone to chronic skin problems, hip problems, hernias, liver diseases and jawbone calcification.