West Highland White Terrier

Breed Group: terrier

"I'm a tiny terrier tyrant!"

View West Highland White Terrier puppies

Breed Profile

With so much personality and confidence, it’s hard to believe that the West Highland White Terrier is so small. Westies need to be around people but prefer to have their humans all to themselves. Dogs and cats beware: these little white pups are no angels.

Behavior

West Highland White Terriers are boisterous, playful, alert, and independent dogs. They’re extroverted but can be stubborn at times. They don’t usually pick fights, but they can be aggressive if provoked. Despite their size, Westies are confident canines that refuse to be intimidated. These dogs are also known to bark and dig a lot, so keep your pup busy to avoid too much noise or damage.

Coat

Westies have white double coats that may look angelic but are stiff to the touch. However, the tough texture repels dirt and keeps them pretty clean, so they don’t need to be bathed often. Westies don’t shed much, but their coats need to be brushed at least once a week, cut regularly, and hand-plucked twice a year.

Lifestyle

West Highland White Terriers are great with children and enjoy being their playmates. However, they aren’t as friendly with other animals. Their small size doesn’t stop them from trying to dominate other dogs, and they’re also known to chase cats. Westies love being around people, so they need to live indoors and be with family. Without enough companionship or activity, they may act out or be destructive.

Activity

Westies are high energy dogs that need lots of playtime and exercise. They’re big diggers and loud barkers, but keeping them busy helps curtail their bad habits. Westies enjoy dog sports that stimulate their muscles and minds, like agility, earthdog training, and flyball. The more activities you give them, the happier and less destructive they’ll be.

Characteristics

Space Needs

Activity Needs

Intelligence

Playfulness

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Watch Ability

Dog-friendliness

Child-friendliness

About the West Highland White Terrier

Well-known as the mascot for Cesar pet food, these coifed canines are lively, loud, and drawn to people. West Highland White Terriers, also known as “Westies,” crave human companionship... but other animals? Not so much. Although they’re a wonderful breed for families, Westies can be dominant toward other dogs and love to chase animals. It’s no surprise that their high energy requires lots of exercise to keep their minds and bodies busy. Otherwise, their bad habits (like barking and digging) may take over. For a calm and happy Westie, you’ll need to provide plenty of quality time and fun activities.