West Highland White Terrier

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
Some outdoor space
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Very affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Jenny Priest (ROLLYHILL)

rollyhill@hotmail.com
See Details
Breeder - Mr Duncan Belfield (MCDILBERT)

dilly.bec@bigpond.com
See Details

History

The West Highland White Terrier, or 'Westie', was originally from Argyllshire in Scotland. Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm, who is considered the founder of the breed, wanted to develop a breed of terrier to hunt foxes in t he rocky terrain of the Highlands of Scotland. The dog needed to be small, but hardy and flexible. It also needed to be brave enough to fight its way into a fox's lair between the rocks, against stiff opposition if necessary.

The terriers were selectively bred as all-white terriers, so that the dogs could be easily distinguished from the fox against the drab background of the countryside. It is thought that many reddish-brown terriers were shot when mistaken for foxes. The breed was originally named the Poltalloch Terrier, as Colonel Malcolm's family seat was 'Poltalloch', after the family seat of the Duke of Argyle. Later the breed's name was aptly changed to the West Highland White Terrier.

Temperament

A very hardy and outgoing dog, the Westie just loves being with its family. It is inquisitive, nosy and can be mischievous, but responds well to regular and persistent training. Just don't let it think it is the boss! It is generally a very alert, courageous, self-reliant, but friendly breed.

Appearance

As its name suggests, the Westie only comes in one colour - white. It is neat and compact in appearance, with piercing black eyes and nose. The head is slightly domed, and the tail comes off the end of the spine and points straight up. It is a double-coated breed with a coat that is approximately five centimetres long.

Maintenance

Its coat should be regularly hand-stripped to ensure it stays a 'hard coat', shown in Conformation. Do not bath this breed too often, as it tends to soften the coat. Regular brushing of the coat helps to keep it clean. A pet Westie may be clipped and regular brushing will encourage natural oils to maintain the coat.

Health

This breed can be prone to legge-perthes disease, where a decreased blood supply causes damage to the femur. Fortunately, with careful breeding and breeders importing new blood lines, this problem appears to be on its way out.

The Westie is susceptible to skin problems, which can have many causes. This needs to be investigated by your vet and sometimes a change in diet can help. Medication is sometimes required.

Suitability

The Westie is a fun-loving terrier that fits in with most families very easily and particularly loves children, but it won't tolerate any nonsense.

Although it is a constant loving companion, the Westie still needs exercise and stimulation and needs to be entertained with games or toys .

Words: Vicki Regner on behalf of the West Highland White Terrier Club of NSW

Image: Cabal Canine Candids

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the West Highland White Terrier, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the West Highland White Terrier and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 22 May 2009)

Download PDF

Breed Standard - West Highland White Terrier

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Strongly built; deep in chest and back ribs; level back and powerful quarters on muscular legs and exhibiting in a marked degree a great combination of strength and activity.

Characteristics

Small, active, game, hardy, possessed of no small amount of self-esteem with a varminty appearance.

Temperament

Alert, gay, courageous, self-reliant but friendly.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Skull slightly domed; when handled across forehead presents a smooth contour. Tapering very slightly from skull at level of ears to eyes. Distance from occiput to eyes slightly greater than length of foreface. Head thickly coated with hair, and carried at right angle or less, to axis of neck. Head not to be carried in extended position. Foreface gradually tapering from eye to muzzle. Distinct stop formed by heavy, bony ridges immediately above and slightly overhanging eye, and slight indentation between eyes. Foreface not dished nor falling away quickly below eyes, where it is well made up. Jaws strong and level. Nose black and fairly large, forming smooth contour with rest of muzzle. Nose not projecting forward.
Eyes	Set wide apart, medium in size, not full, as dark as possible. Sharp and intelligent, which, looking from under heavy eyebrows, impart a piercing look. Light coloured eyes highly undesirable.
Ears	Small, erect and carried firmly, terminating in sharp point, set neither too wide nor too close. Hair short and smooth (velvety), should not be cut. Free from any fringe at top. Round-pointed, broad, large or thick ears or too heavily coated with hair most undesirable.
Mouth	As broad between canine teeth as is consistent with varminty expression required. Teeth large for size of dog, with regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Sufficiently long to allow proper set of head required, muscular and gradually thickening towards base allowing neck to merge into nicely sloping shoulders.
Forequarters	Shoulders sloping backwards. Shoulder blades broad and lying close to chest wall. Shoulder joint placed forward, elbow well in, allowing foreleg to move freely, parallel to axis of body. Forelegs short and muscular, straight and thickly covered with short, hard hair.
Body	Compact. Back level, loins broad and strong. Chest deep and ribs well arched in upper half presenting a flattish side appearance. Back ribs of considerable depth and distance from last rib of quarters as short as compatible with free movement of body.
Hindquarters	Strong, muscular and wide across top. Legs short, muscular and sinewy. Thighs very muscular and not too wide apart. Hocks bent and well set in under body so as to be fairly close to each other when standing or moving. Straight or weak hocks most undesirable.
Feet	Forefeet larger than hind, round, proportionate in size, strong, thickly padded and covered with short harsh hair. Hindfeet are smaller and thickly padded. Under surface of pads and all nails preferable black.
Tail	13-15 cms (5-6 ins) long, covered with harsh hair, no feathering, as straight as possible, carried jauntily, not gay or carried over back. A long tail undesirable, and on no account should tails be docked.
Gait/Movement	Free, straight and easy all round. In front legs freely extended forward from shoulder. Hind movement free, strong and close. Stifle and hocks well flexed and hocks drawn under body giving drive. Stiff, stilted movement behind and cow hocks highly undesirable.
Coat	Double coated. Outer coat consists of harsh hair, about 5 cms (2 ins) long, free from any curl. Undercoat, which resembles fur, short, soft and close. Open coats most undesirable. Skin must appear healthy.
Colour	White
Size	Height: approx. 28 cms (11 ins) at withers

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.