Dog breeds / West Highland White Terrier
Photo: Christopher Walker from Krakow, Poland · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Dog breed
West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, is a confident, cheerful little dog with a big personality. He was bred in Scotland to hunt small vermin, so he is bold, curious, and often quite vocal, and he can be stubborn when he decides something is his idea. With children who are gentle and respectful he is usually a good playmate. He can be assertive with other dogs and small pets, so early socialization helps.
Day to day, a Westie wants regular walks, interactive play, and time with his people, and he does not do well left alone for long stretches. Short, consistent training sessions using positive reinforcement work best. He is happy in a house or apartment as long as he gets enough activity and mental engagement.
Good for: Active singles, couples, or families with gentle kids
| Size | small |
| Height | 11 in |
| Exercise | about 60 min a day |
| Shedding | low |
| Origin | Scotland |
Westies are charming but independent, so expect regular grooming and patient, consistent training from the start.
Living with a West Highland White Terrier
Exercise
Plan for two daily walks plus playtime in a secure area. Terriers like sniffing, digging, and short games of fetch.
Grooming
The double coat needs brushing a few times a week to prevent mats, and hand-stripping or regular trims every few months keep it neat. He sheds lightly, and most owners bathe him only as needed.
Health
Westies are prone to skin allergies, bladder stones, and certain joint and eye conditions. Ask your vet about screening and what to watch for at each checkup.
- Skin allergies
- Bladder stones
- Patellar luxation
Known tendencies, not a diagnosis: ask your vet about this breed.
The numbers for a West Highland White Terrier
Weather
Watch above 75°F, stop at 85°F
Coat or short walks below 40°F. Small dogs lose heat fast: a coat below about 40°F, and keep walks short in the cold.
Right now
Latest dog food recalls
Aunt Millie s Bakehouse Whole Grain White Hot Dog Buns 6" Sliced 2 OUNCE. 12 unlabeled 12CT PKGS per sale unit case, product code 7502. Net. Wt. 18lbs.
Perfection Bakeries LLC · Sep 13 · Undeclared sesame
Breadman Brioche products in plastic bags: Brioche Toast, 2 lb. (1 loaf/bag), Brioche Buns, 40oz (10 buns/bag), Brioche Sliders, 50oz (25 sliders/bag), Brioche Hot Dog, 40oz (10 buns/bag)
Breadbox Co. · May 16 · Undeclared Yellow No. 5
Our Family White Hot Dog Enriched Buns, 8 count 12oz. retail unit UPC 0-70253-75107-3
Perfection Bakeries LLC · Mar 21 · undeclared sesame
Questions owners ask
Do West Highland White Terriers shed?
They shed very little, but the coat grows continuously and needs brushing and periodic trimming to stay mat-free and clean.
Can a Westie live in an apartment?
Yes, if he gets daily walks and mental stimulation. Westies adapt well to apartments but can bark when bored or left alone.
Are Westies good with kids?
They often are, especially with kids who are calm and respectful. Supervise play, since terriers can be feisty if handled roughly.
Good picks for a West Highland White Terrier
Made in the USA
Made in the USA
Made in the USA
Made in the USA