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West Highland White Terrier: Training, History, Temperament, Exercise (Westie)
About West Highland White Terrier
Country of Origin, History of West Highland White Terriers
The Cairn Terrier has been a contributor to many of Scotland’s terriers. The Scottish, West Highland, and Cairn Terriers developed from the same stock, originating in the islands and highlands of western Scotland. The three often were found in the same litter, distinguished only by color.
Eventually the dogs were selectively bred to white dogs until all the offspring were white and that became the West Highland White Terrier.
West Highland White Terrier Tools
Breed Selector Tool - is the West Highland White Terrier the right breed for you?
Is the West Highland White Terrier the right breed for you and your family?
Find out by using our Free Dog Breed Selector Tool
Check Your West Highland White Terrier's Learning Style
Are you aware dogs also have a learning style that can greatly affect their ability to housetrain as well as be trained correctly. Evaluate your West Highland White Terrier's learning style and personality using our free Learning Style tool so that you are better able to provide him with the proper West Highland White Terrier training methods.
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Does your West Highland White Terrier bark unnecessarily? Does your West Highland White Terrier come to you when you call? Download a FREE Report on Dog Dominance for you and your West Highland White Terrier and learn how to control your dog.
Do you make these mistakes with your West Highland White Terrier?
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West Highland White Terrier Calorie Calculator
Do you know how many calories your West Highland White Terrier needs every day and how many cups of food you should be giving it every day? Click here to use our West Highland White Terrier Calorie Calculator.
A General Appearance of the Dog
The West Highland White Terrier is a very shaggy-looking little white terrier whose face has a fox-like appearance. A very compact body type, the length of his back is only about 14 inches. The West Highland White’s head is broad. His tufted ears are small, pointed and erect. He has a short but hairy tail. He has black eyes and nose and a “ready to go something” expression.
Coat Color
The coat of the West Highland White is all white. The coat may have some wheaten tipping.
Coat Type
The 2’ outer coat of the West Highland White Terrier is profuse, hard and weather-resistant. It should never be fluffy or soft, silky or curly. The inner coat is shorter and softer.
Height
Males: 10 – 12 inches, but
ideally 11 inches
Females: 9 – 11 inches, but ideally 10 inches
Length of the body from the front of the chest to the back of the hindquarters should be 14.25 to 15 inches
Weight
Males: 15 -22 lbs
Females: 13 – 17 lbs
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West Highland White Terrier Personality Traits
Temperament
The Spanish Water Dog is an extremely intelligent, fearless, ever-active, strong, attentive, happy and well balanced versatile working dog with strong herding, hunting and guardian instincts. It is a devoted companion. It is reserved, not shy, with strangers. They can be protective and territorial.
Are they suited to families with kids?
Most of them are good with children and other animals if properly socialized.
West Highland White Terrier Activity Level
How Active is the Breed?
This is a very active breed, but they will get much of their activity from playing with toys indoors.
How Much Exercise Does the Dog Need at every stage of its Life?
The West Highland White Terrier likes to run and play (and dig) outdoors, but must be supervised and inside a secure fence. He is a very energetic little dog who can get much of his exercise from playing with toys indoors.
He can live in an apartment if he is taught early not to bark excessively and if he is taken on a couple of daily walks. An occasional romp in a secure area will satisfy him.
Grooming
The shaggy coat of the West Highland White Terrier can quickly become a horrible, matted mess. To keep this from happening, he needs to be brushed daily, but his undercoat should not get overly much attention.
Once a month he may need a bath. Then his coat should be brushed out carefully and completely when it dries. A monthly trim around his eyes and ears and feet and a monthly nail trim will keep him looking and feeling good.
Professional grooming 4-5 times a year will shape the coat and eliminate dead hair that does not shed. If he is to be shown, he will have to have professional grooming every 6 weeks to shape his coat properly.
West Highland Whites shed very little.
Free West Highland White Terrier Training Secrets
Free Course on West Highland White Terrier Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
Health and Care
Genetic Problems
Most West Highland Terriers are
quite healthy. Some have chronic skin problems probably
due to being all-white. Perthe’s disease (hip
problems), hernias, liver disease, and jawbone calcification
have been reported.
Life Span: West Highland White
Terriers live 15 years or more.
National Breed Clubs
National Breed Clubs
British – West Highland White Terrier Club of England
US – West Highland White Terrier Club of America
Other Recognition: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CET, APRI, ACR
Rescue: Westie Club of America
Group: Terrier Group
AKC Popularity Ranking: 42
Also Known As: Poltalloch Terrier, Roseneath Terrier, White Roseneath Terrier, Westie
Train Your West Highland White Terrier To Listen To You
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You'll learn new commands to obedience-train your dog as well as how to housebreak your dog in 6 days or less.
You'll also learn how to eliminate bad habits like barking, nipping or biting, jumping, or pulling on the leash.Here's just s small fraction of what else you'll learn in the course:
How to lead and think like a pack dog - the new psychology.
3 dangerous mistakes that most Westie owners make when they are trying to potty train their dogs.
The 2 main reasons why your dog barks excessively and how to control its excessive barking.
How to obedience train your West Highland White Terrier to permanently end behavioral problems like Jumping, Aggression, Pulling on Leash.
A surprisingly easy way to teach your dog cool new tricks.
How to improve your dog's lifespan and keep it from getting overly heavy with a healthy and nutritious diet.
Getting Pro help fast - how to get access to our expert trainers when you need them most.
One hidden psychological trigger that all West Highland White Terriers have... that practically allows you to "analyze" and "control" your dog's every action.
Priority access to the free online seminars conducted by our training experts.
Whereas other dog training related web sites and books offer generic information for dogs in general, ours is the ONLY web site that offers Westie information specifically, from a renowned panel of experts - because as you probably know, Westies have their own special training requirements that other dogs don't have.
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