West Highland White Terrier
Puppy
Fully Grown
West Highland White Terriers (or Westies) gained popularity through their appearance on many TV commercials. The breed's history was to hunt rodents and other small animals, but they were simply too pretty to stay hunting dogs forever!
Their white fur and good looks combined with their happy, confident nature, have found a place for them in our homes and our hearts.
On of the celebrated traits of Westies is their capacity for patience and empathy. They also have a lot of power and endurance, which you wouldn't expect from such small fluff balls. They do well at agility or other dog sports.
They are always in a good mood and their happiness must be contagious...it is said that Westie owners are the happiest of all dog owners!
Westies do like to dig, so if you have a well-maintained garden we recommend you dedicate an area for your dog to dig to his heart's content. Their chase instinct can also show itself, and it is best to teach them to chase the ball instead of little animals.
| Weight: | 7-9 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 12-16 years |
| Coat: | Long |
| Grooming intensity: | Medium |
| Monthly cost (food): | Below average |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your West Highland White Terrier from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a West Highland White Terrier to adopt:
To help your rescued West Highland White Terrier to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your West Highland White Terrier from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
