Introduction
The West Highland White Terrier, affectionately known as the Westie, is a spirited, sociable, and self-assured companion that can captivate and delight his family for hours on end. This charming little white terrier stands about 10–11 inches tall and typically weighs between 15 and 20 pounds.
Originally bred in Scotland to pursue and eliminate rodents, today’s Westies thrive as devoted family pets—but that doesn’t mean they’re content to simply lounge around all day waiting for entertainment.
Caring for a Westie
Westies are bundles of energy who are always eager to play or curl up for a cozy cuddle session with their loved ones. This loving breed generally shows great patience and gentleness with children, although, like with any dog, early socialization and close supervision around youngsters are key to building a safe and happy relationship.
Thanks to their history as skilled rodent hunters, Westies often possess a strong prey drive, which means they may chase after smaller animals if off-leash. This can present challenges for households with smaller pets like rabbits or hamsters. However, many Westies can learn to coexist peacefully with cats if introductions are handled carefully and thoughtfully.
Being a clever breed, a Westie ignored mentally can resort to excessive barking to entertain himself. With consistent patience and positive reinforcement, the West Highland White Terrier can blossom into a polite, well-adjusted, and adaptable member of any family.
Westie Health Issues
Known for their robustness, West Highland White Terriers generally enjoy good health, living on average between 13 and 15 years. However, like many purebreds, they are susceptible to a handful of health concerns owners should be aware of.
Bladder Cancer
Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common form of urinary tract cancer in dogs. When this cancer affects organs such as the bladder, urethra, or prostate, symptoms often include blood in the urine, difficulty or pain during urination, and frequent straining. Westies, along with breeds like Beagles, Scottish Terriers, and Shetland Sheepdogs, are particularly prone to TCC.
Diagnosis is made through tumor biopsy or a specialized urine test known as the CADET BRAF Mutation Detection Assay. Treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and chemotherapy. Surgery is seldom recommended due to the tumor’s location.
Dental Disease
Dental issues are some of the most prevalent health problems encountered in aging dogs, especially in small breeds like the Westie. This condition arises when plaque and tartar build up, causing inflammation around the teeth, which can progress to serious decay of teeth and bone. Daily teeth brushing with a dog-friendly toothpaste is the best defense against these problems.
Regular dental cleanings by your vet are vital to thoroughly examine your dog’s mouth, eliminate plaque and tartar, polish the teeth to prevent future buildup, and address any damaged teeth. Like in humans, untreated dental disease can cause pain and potentially impact overall organ health.
Dry Eye
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye, is a condition where a dog’s eyes don’t produce sufficient tears. This lack of lubrication causes friction between the eye surface and the inner eyelids, leading to painful inflammation. Instead of normal tears, thick mucus may be produced.
Dogs with dry eye often show symptoms such as red, painful eyes, squinting, or rubbing at their eyes. Corneal ulcers are a common complication and require urgent veterinary attention. Treatment involves administering prescribed topical eye medications.
Lion Jaw
Craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO), often called lion jaw, is a hereditary disease in Westies where normal bone tissue is replaced by abnormal growth along the jaw and skull edges. This condition typically develops in puppies between 3 and 8 months of age.
CMO causes severe pain, noticeable swelling along the jaw, and difficulty eating. Usually, the abnormal bone growth halts by one year of age, and swelling can diminish over time.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of its normal groove, causing discomfort and potentially leading to arthritis. Dogs with this condition often move by skipping or hopping on three legs when the knee is misaligned.
Sometimes the knee corrects itself spontaneously. In other cases, management includes joint supplements and anti-inflammatory medications. Surgery may be necessary for more severe instances.
What To Feed a Westie
Providing your Westie with a commercial kibble or wet food that meets standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is an excellent way to ensure they receive balanced and complete nutrition.
Puppies benefit from diets specially formulated for growth phases or labeled for “all life stages.” Adult Westies might thrive on dental health-focused diets designed to reduce tartar accumulation and promote oral hygiene.
How To Feed a Westie
Adult Westies should receive two measured meals daily, while puppies require at least three smaller meals per day to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Avoid free-feeding or offering unlimited food, as Westies are prone to gaining excess weight.
How Much Should You Feed a Westie?
Like people, the amount of food a Westie needs depends on individual factors such as body size, metabolism, and daily activity levels. The most reliable way to determine the right feeding amount is to consult your veterinarian, who can tailor recommendations based on your dog’s needs.
Additionally, dog food packaging usually includes feeding guidelines that provide a helpful starting point.
Nutritional Tips for Westies
Westies can benefit from omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) incorporated into their diet. These healthy fats, found in fish oils, certain joint and skin supplements, and some specialty dog foods, serve as natural anti-inflammatories supporting the skin, coat, kidneys, joints, and cardiovascular system.
Always consult your vet before adding any supplements to your dog’s diet, and never provide supplements without professional guidance.
Westie Personality and Temperament
West Highland White Terriers are confident, intelligent, lively, and playful without being overly hyperactive. They make loving family companions and, when socialized properly, are usually wonderful with kids who understand how to interact respectfully with pets.
While many Westies enjoy being close to their humans, the Westie Club of America notes that some prefer being nearby rather than sitting directly in their lap. Keep in mind that every dog is unique with their own personality quirks.
Westie Behavior
Due to their rodent-hunting ancestry, Westies often have a strong prey drive, requiring them to be kept on a leash or within secure fencing when outdoors. They may impulsively chase smaller animals, including cats.
If under-exercised or mentally understimulated, Westies may exhibit behaviors like excessive barking or digging in the yard. To keep your terrier happy, aim for at least 30 minutes of purposeful activity each day—whether that’s a sniff-filled walk, a game of fetch, or puzzle challenges. These affectionate dogs thrive on quality attention and interaction with their family.
Westie Training
Starting obedience training and socialization early is crucial for Westies, including positive introductions to children and other pets under supervision.
Being a bright breed, Westies can easily become bored with repetitive training routines. Harnessing positive reinforcement and incorporating fun training games will encourage their engagement. When training feels like play, your Westie will eagerly strive to please.
Fun Activities for Westies
- Agility courses
- Flyball competitions
- Nose work scent games
- Obedience challenges
- Interactive puzzle toys
Westie Grooming Guide
The West Highland White Terrier boasts a striking, snow-white double coat that requires regular grooming to keep it looking its best. Pet parents must stay on top of trimming, bathing, and brushing to maintain their Westie’s bright and healthy appearance.
Grooming goes beyond the coat—keeping nails trimmed and teeth clean are also vital components of Westie care.
Skin Care
Westies typically benefit from a bath every four weeks. Using gentle, dog-specific shampoos and conditioners is advisable. Occasionally, a whitening shampoo can help maintain their signature white coat’s brilliance. If you notice any skin irritation, redness, bumps, or itching, consult your veterinarian promptly.
Coat Care
Puppy Westies should be brushed weekly to keep their coat shiny and healthy. Professional grooming appointments every four to six weeks are recommended to trim and shape the coat neatly.
Eye Care
While Westies don’t require specialized eye grooming, any signs of eye discomfort—such as redness, squinting, or unusual discharge—warrant a veterinary evaluation. These symptoms may point to more serious eye issues, like ulcers or dry eye.
Ear Care
Cleaning your Westie’s ears every one to two weeks helps stave off infections. Watch for signs of problems like redness, foul odor, or debris. If you observe any of these, make an appointment with your vet for assessment and treatment.
Considerations for Pet Parents
With early socialization, abundant mental enrichment, and routine exercise, Westies can be lively and devoted family companions. Before welcoming a Westie puppy into your home, consider the following:
- Do you have a secure, fenced area for your dog to safely roam, or are you prepared to walk your dog multiple times daily on a leash?
- Can you commit to daily exercise, whether through walks, hikes, or active play sessions?
- Are you ready to invest in stimulating toys to keep your dog mentally engaged and prevent boredom?
- Will you dedicate time to socialization and crate training during your new dog’s formative months?
- Do you have the patience to address and manage natural Westie behaviors like digging or barking?
- Can you maintain regular grooming routines, including daily tooth brushing and weekly coat care?
Is the Westie a low-maintenance dog?
Despite their manageable size, Westies require weekly brushing and professional grooming every four to six weeks to keep their iconic white coat trimmed and healthy. They also need consistent mental and physical exercise to ward off boredom and prevent destructive behavior.
Do Westies bark a lot?
Barking is common in Westies, a trait rooted in their history as hunters. Providing stimulating activities and keeping them well-exercised are key to minimizing excessive barking.
How much does a Westie cost?
Acquiring a Westie puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between $900 and $2,500, with pedigrees from certain lineages commanding higher prices. Adoption is always an option as well—rescues and shelters sometimes have Westies or Westie mixes looking for loving homes.
