The West Highland White Terrier canine breed is a social pup that likes kids of all ages. Study extra about dwelling with this terrier breed!
This cheerful and fun-loving pooch makes a great household pet and is at all times entertaining at play. Generally generally known as a ‘Westie’, it’s the most pleasant and jolly of all of the Scottish breeds of terriers.
Usually impartial and assertive, the West Highland White Terrier generally is a good watchdog.
Though it’s a devoted breed that kinds robust ties with its proprietor, it’s always on the go and desires each day train.
It may be persistent and cussed, which makes coaching tough. However with time and endurance, the West Highland White Terrier canine will practice properly due to its loyalty and sharp intelligence.
Beneath the plush-toy floor is definitely a real working terrier of gameness and braveness.
It’s pretty sturdy and resilient, contemplating that it was bred to hunt rats and different underground rodents.
At this time, the West Highland White Terrier breed enjoys its recognition as an amusing and spunky canine companion with darkish piercing eyes, a compact physique, and a carrot-shaped tail that wags with delight.
In 1908, the American Kennel Membership acknowledged the breed. It ranked forty sixth on AKC’s checklist of the hottest canine breeds of 2021.
West Highland White Terrier Canine Breed Normal
Peak and Weight
Breed members are medium in dimension regardless of having longer legs than different Scottish terrier breeds.
They sometimes measure 10 to 11 inches (25 to twenty-eight cm) tall and weigh between 15 and 20 kilos (6.8 and 9.1 kg).
Coat
Whereas there are just a few faint wheaten shade variations, most Westies are pure white.
They’ve a delicate, dense, thick undercoat and a tough outer coat that may get so long as 2 inches (5.1 cm).
When puppies develop into adults, the tough outer coat is often eliminated by “hand-stripping,” particularly for canine reveals, or by different technique of clipping.
Options
They usually have dark-colored, almond-shaped eyes which might be vibrant and deep-set. The ears are upright and pointy.
Moreover, they’ve robust, quick tails to make it simpler to drag them out of holes due to their background as rodent catchers.
West Highland White Terrier Household Life
West Highland White Terrier breeds convey pleasure and laughter with their foolish antics and zest for all times.
They make associates with everybody, together with strangers, and should not one-person canine.
Besides the place there may be a couple of intact male, these fluffballs thrive in households with a number of canine.
They’ll get used to cats however to not small pets like rabbits and birds due to their excessive prey drive.
Though they don’t seem to be notably lapdogs or cuddlers, West Highland White Terriers should not fitted to out of doors dwelling.
They’ll endure from separation anxiousness, however it’s not a standard trait within the breed.
West Highland White Terrier canine have a vibrant disposition that makes them lovable by all (besides small rodents).
These cute pups make nice additions to simply about any household and can do properly in any sort of dwelling, together with residences. Simply ensure you can supply sufficient playtime and satisfactory train.
Though they are often affectionate and great with youngsters, they do not at all times put up with tough dealing with.
Like all breeds, irrespective of the scale, at all times train kids find out how to deal with canine.
West Highland White Terrier canine breeds will be nice friends, however irrespective of how pleasant, it’s best to by no means go away all of them by themselves with a baby.
West Highland White Terrier Canine Historical past
How the Westie got here to be rigorously chosen for its white coat is an intriguing story.
The Scottish, Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and West Highland White Terriers at the moment are acknowledged because the short-legged terriers native to Scotland. Definitely, all of them share the identical ancestors.
All of those canines had been prized for his or her ability as brave small-game hunters. Their coats used to come back in quite a lot of hues, together with black, pink, cream, and white.
Though he didn’t declare any of the credit score, Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of Poltalloch, Argyllshire, Scotland, is basically acknowledged for breeding the true white canine.
For searching, he had saved a gaggle of light-colored working terriers. The story goes that when one among his reddish canine got here out of canopy, it was mistaken for a fox and bought shot.
Malcolm then made the fast resolution to solely breed white canine that could possibly be simply acknowledged within the area.
In 1907, the West Highland White Terrier was given formal breed recognition on the Crufts canine present in England.
The identify was chosen to mirror the canine’ impartial nature and the area during which they had been raised.
The well being of the West Highland White Terrier Breed
Though sometimes a wholesome breed, the West Highland White Terrier can expertise numerous well being points, comparable to cataracts, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand’s illness.
The West Highland White Terrier canine will be affected by hip dysplasia, which is the malformation of the hip joints because the canine ages. It could actually trigger ache and lameness and, over time, into arthritis.
This can be hereditary however turns into worse as a result of environmental elements comparable to speedy development from a change of eating regimen or incurred accidents.
One other well being downside you have to be conscious of is the inherited illness referred to as Craniomandibular Osteopathy.
It’s the results of bone swelling introduced on by the enlargement of the jaw and cranium bones.
Your furry buddy can also expertise Legg-Calvé-Perthes illness, a situation that occurs when the femoral head begins to degenerate. Over time, it’ll trigger the collapse of the hip resulting in arthritis.
Attributable to a situation generally known as patellar luxation, the kneecap could slip out of place whereas your canine strikes. This leads to lameness, which limits your pet’s mobility.
Whereas shielding each canine from inherited points is unattainable, the hazard will be decreased with the precise therapy.
The vast majority of West Highland White Terrier canine dwell wholesome lives, typically till the ages of 13 to fifteen.
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Find out how to Look after West Highland White Terriers
Train
The West Highland White Terrier breed enjoys a stroll in addition to romping and taking part in.
It does greatest in an enclosed house or when carrying a leash as a result of it’ll naturally chase the whole lot that strikes.
This pooch excels in a variety of canine sports activities and actions, together with obedience, rally, and agility, due to its intelligence, vigor, and can-do perspective.
The West Highland White Terrier canine breed typically behaves calmly indoors however incessantly takes on a unique persona when outdoors.
It could actually trek all day with its house owners or be a velocity monster that races across the canine park.
Westies take pleasure in romping by way of the yard sniffing and exploring their space, taking part in video games, and hurling squeaky, delicate toys round.
Taking part in catch down the hallway is one strategy to get some train indoors. Regardless that they do not want as a lot exercise as some breeds, it’s best to nonetheless plan on taking them for one or two walks per week to maintain them blissful and wholesome.
Coaching
Initially developed for searching and ratting, West Highland White Terrier breeds realized to suppose on their very own, a trait they nonetheless relish immediately.
This independence, nevertheless, could make coaching a problem. Because of their sharp mind, they simply grasp the teachings which might be saved constructive and fascinating.
Regardless of their dimension, they’re robust, robust canine that do not want a lot pampering.
As a substitute of eradicating rats, their pure working intuition is now sometimes harnessed into agility and obedience competitions.
Moreover, a few of them have joined search and rescue groups and are employed as remedy canine.
West Highland White Terrier canine breeds will doubtless bark after they see or hear something uncommon and can at all times announce friends, mailmen, and different pets who move by the home.
Except for barking, they may also dig and chase the whole lot that strikes. With correct coaching, they could be taught to bark solely as soon as and by no means dig.
The need to chase vermin, nevertheless, is hardwired, and no quantity of coaching will alter it.
When accomplished constantly and positively, coaching is usually easy. In actual fact, the one strategy to practice a Westie is to make use of constructive reinforcement together with consistency.
Keep in mind that it has a robust will and a excessive sense of self-worth, which may trigger some difficulties if coaching turns into too harsh.
Grooming
Common grooming is critical to maintain the West Highland White Terrier trying its greatest.
When you want to showcase your pooch, you have to comply with the normal terrier coat care that includes stripping (or plucking) the outdated, useless hair.
Pet house owners typically have their canine’ coats clipped or groomed by professionals to take care of that gorgeous Westie look.
A grooming appointment each 4 to 6 weeks might be enough. Bathing too typically can do extra hurt than good to your pet’s well being as a result of its tough coat.
Trim the nails recurrently to maintain them quick and neat.
Test the ears for indicators of an infection. You could wish to wipe them out to identify potential issues.
Brush the tooth each day to enhance basic well being and breath.
Weight loss program and Vitamin
The West Highland White Terrier canine ought to thrive on premium pet food, whether or not it’s produced commercially or made at dwelling, beneath the steerage and consent of your veterinarian.
Watch its calorie consumption since it’s susceptible to changing into obese.
Treats are helpful throughout coaching, however giving them in extra may end in weight problems.
To decide on a balanced eating regimen, communicate together with your veterinarian to find out meal parts and appropriate pet food primarily based in your canine’s age, weight, and exercise degree.
Contemporary, clear water ought to at all times be accessible.
Supreme Proprietor of West Highland White Terrier Canines
The West Highland White Terrier breed thrives in each rural and concrete settings and is content material in any type of dwelling atmosphere. It should dwell indoors with its household and never outdoor.
If correctly taught and exercised, it makes a beautiful condominium resident. This pup is content material to remain at dwelling and by itself when you are at work with the precise stimulation and safety measures.
To prime all of it off, it is also a straightforward traveler, whether or not on prolonged journeys or temporary errands.
The favored West Highland White Terrier canine breed is loving and devoted but impartial and confident sufficient to not require pampering.
It likes being clear, which makes it straightforward to housetrain and a pleasant companion for a novice or inexperienced canine proprietor.
The Westie can heat even the coldest hearts with its laid-back demeanor, perceptive gaze, and joyful spirit.
FAQs about West Highland White Terrier Breeds
How a lot does a Westie value?
Westies are a well-liked selection since they make loyal household pets.
Puppies of West Highland White Terriers usually value between $350 and $3,800 within the US and between £200 and £3,000 within the UK, with costs going up for show-quality canine.
Is a Westie cuddly?
Regardless of having the looks of cuddly lapdogs, Terriers have robust quantities of vitality and will not be capable to stay nonetheless for very lengthy.
Nonetheless, Westies have a pure want to please, thus, will go to nice lengths to fulfill their house owners.
Are Westies light?
Westies are typically kinder and less complicated to deal with than different terrier breeds, regardless of their boldness, independence, and inherent persistence.
Their loving, amiable, and joyful personalities have received many house owners over, and they’re identified for his or her playful, entertaining behaviors.
West Highland White Terrier Canine Breeds: Abstract
The cute Westies have enchanted house owners for greater than 300 years with their intelligence, self-assurance, and adaptability.
West Highland White Terriers are fun-loving doggos who discover pleasure in stomach rubs and squeaky toys. Regardless of being mischievous, they’re beloved by many for his or her blissful disposition.
These pups do not lack vanity, however additionally they do not exhibit an extreme quantity of confidence to the purpose the place it turns into a flaw.
They do not typically begin fights, however since they’re terriers, West Highland White Terrier canine will not again down from one, both.
So, are they the canine that you really want?
Individuals buy them with out the flexibility to decide to the lifetime of those animals. If you wish to convey a canine dwelling, take into account adopting one.
There are lots of West Highland White Terrier breeds in want of fostering.
Nonetheless, collect extra data earlier than getting a pet to see compatibility together with your way of life.
You could go to numerous breeders and see the canine your self. Discover a respected breeder who will present well being clearances to show that the canine are away from well being circumstances.
The West Highland White Terrier Membership of America has been round since 1909 to guard and promote the breed.
Members in each state will be your level of contact in case you are contemplating including West Highland White Terrier canine breeds to your property.
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