West Highland White Terrier
Small, white and absolutely sure of itself.
- Weight
- 15–20 lbs
- Height
- 10–11 in
- Lifespan
- 13–15 yrs
In short
The West Highland White Terrier is a Terrier-group breed from Scotland, bred in the 1800s to hunt foxes and rats among rocks, weighing 15–20 lbs and living 13–15 years. Owners should know Westies are prone to itchy skin allergies, so frequent scratching or ear infections deserve a vet visit, not just a bath.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a confident, cheerful small dog
- enjoy brisk daily walks
- want a dog that's not clingy
Think twice if you…
- keep pet rodents
- want a dog that never digs or barks
- can't commit to regular grooming
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 50–60 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10
EnergyActive7.0/10
Calm at homeSettles well6.0/10
SheddingModerate shedder4.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
White, harsh coat
The white coat was bred so hunters could tell the dog from the fox; it stains easily and needs grooming.
-
02
Digging paws
Westies were bred to dig after quarry, so expect them to dig in yards and gardens.
-
03
Carrot tail
The short, sturdy tail is said to have doubled as a handle for pulling the dog out of a den.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 15–20 lbs | 15–18 lbs |
| Height | about 11 in | about 10 in |
| Lifespan | 13–15 yrs | |
| Coat | Harsh, straight double coat with soft undercoat | |
Personality
Westies are confident, cheerful and independent, with a big personality in a small body. They are alert and vocal, and love to dig, chase and explore. Most are friendly but not clingy.
With kids
Usually good with older, respectful kids; they don't tolerate rough handling.
With other pets
Usually fine with dogs; prey drive makes small pets like rodents risky.
With strangers
Alert and vocal at first, then usually friendly.
Alone time
Copes with moderate alone time; may bark or dig if bored.
Training
Westies are smart but independent and can be stubborn. Short, fun, reward-based sessions work best.
-
How often
Two or three short sessions a day, 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, focus on calm meetings with other dogs and kids, plus daily handling of paws, ears and coat.
-
Self-control
Teach a recall that works around small animals and a 'quiet' cue for barking. Give digging an approved outlet, like a sandbox.
-
What it works for
Most are food- and toy-motivated. Use small, high-value pieces kept within 10% of daily calories, and short tug games.
Exercise
Westies need daily brisk walks plus play and exploring. They have plenty of stamina for their size.
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Brisk walks
- Earthdog or barn hunt
- Fetch or tug
Brain work
- Scent work
- Food puzzles
- Digging box
Best home
Adapts well to apartments with daily walks; a fenced yard is a bonus.
Watch for Prey drive overrides recall; keep them on leash or in fenced areas.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical West Highland White Terrier (15–20 lbs) lands around 475–575 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 600–725 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 60–75 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 475–575 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 50–60 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–3 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 650–800 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 65–80 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 425–500 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 45–50 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–3 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 600–725 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 60–75 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 475–575 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 50–60 kcal | 2–3 pieces |
| Active / Working | 650–800 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 65–80 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
| Senior | 425–500 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 45–50 kcal | 2–3 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Westies are prone to skin allergies, a jaw bone disorder in puppies (craniomandibular osteopathy), hip joint problems, and a scarring lung disease in older dogs. A breeder who tests and early vet care for itchy skin help most.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Patellar luxation | OFA patella evaluation | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Craniomandibular osteopathy | CMO DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Krabbe disease (globoid cell leukodystrophy) | Krabbe DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease | OFA Legg-Calvé-Perthes evaluation | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (ACVO) | Yearly while breeding |
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once. OFA final results from 24 months |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks West Highland White Terrier breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Hip evaluation
- Kneecap (patella) check
- Craniomandibular Osteopathy
Grooming Low to moderate; dead hair stays in the coat until brushed or stripped
Brush 2–3 times a week. Hand-strip or clip every 6–8 weeks; hand-stripping keeps the coat harsh. Clean the face and ears weekly, trim nails every 3–4 weeks, and brush teeth several times a week.
History
1800s
Scottish terriers
Small working terriers in Scotland hunted foxes, rats and badgers among rocks and cairns.
Late 1800s
Poltalloch
Colonel Edward Malcolm of Poltalloch is credited with breeding white terriers after, as the story goes, one of his reddish terriers was mistaken for a fox and shot.
1907–1908
Recognition
The breed was shown in Britain as the West Highland White Terrier in 1907 and recognized by the AKC in 1908.
Questions owners ask
Are West Highland White Terriers easy to train?
Moderately. They are smart but independent and can be stubborn. Short, fun sessions work best.
Are West Highland White Terriers good with kids and other pets?
Usually. They are good with older, respectful kids and other dogs, but small pets like rodents are risky.
How much exercise does a West Highland White Terrier need?
About 60–90 minutes a day of walks, play and exploring.
Do West Highland White Terriers shed?
A little. Dead hair stays in the coat until brushed or stripped. Brush 2–3 times a week and groom every 6–8 weeks.
What health problems do West Highland White Terriers have, and how long do they live?
Skin allergies, craniomandibular osteopathy, hip problems and lung disease are the main concerns. They typically live 13–15 years.
Is a West Highland White Terrier good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes to both. They adapt well to apartments and suit first-time owners who can manage barking and grooming.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a West Highland White Terrier needs only 2–3 pieces a day, well inside the 50–60 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the West Highland White Terrier ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the West Highland White Terrier
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
