History of the Breed: West Highland White Terriers
Purebred dogs are living breathing art that teach us about our past. Each breed has been carefully designed to fulfil a purpose, and our lives are better because of them.
The British Isles is the birth place of the group of dogs known as “Terriers” and the West Highland White Terrier traces it’s roots to the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800’s. The word “Terrier” derived from the Latin word “Terra” which means earth. West Highland White Terriers are therefore earth dogs, which were designed for the purpose of “going to ground” for their prey. This purpose required a special temperament and West Highland White Terriers were bred to be highly intelligent with unquestionable courage. The small size of Highlanders, as they are affectionally called, allowed the West Highland White Terrier to move with ease through rough rocky Scottish highland terrain, and their white color help identify them from their quarry.
Terriers resembling West Highland White Terriers had various coat colors including black and fawn prior to 1891. Close relatives to the West Highland White Terrier include the Scottish Terrier and Cairn Terrier.
The West Highland White Terrier became exclusively white to distinguish it from it’s quarry. Captain Mackie gives credit to Sir Ian Malcolm’s son Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of Poltalloch in Gray’s Dogs of Scotland (1891) for propagating only the whites in his kennel after a tragic hunting accident.
The breed was first known by a few different names including the Poltalloch Terrier and the Roseneath Terrier before settling on West Highland White Terrier. The name pays respect to the rugged West Highlands of Scotland which was after all the native habitat of the breed. In 1907 the breed was listed with the official name, West Highland White Terrier, at England’s Crufts dog show.
The West Highland White Terrier has been described as not being an argumentative terrier, but a plucky individual who will not back down and who will stand against larger animals in matters of moral rights (John T. Marvin, 1983).
Why choose a Westie?
West Highland White Terriers are the ideal companion, and yes we are biased.
West Highland White Terriers are highly intelligent, courageous, playful yet dignified, and incomparably loyal. They will exceed your greatest expectations of a companion.
Whether you consider yourself to be a highly active person or prefer a quieter pace of life, you will want to consider sharing your affection with a Westie. Westies adapt very well to different environments and adore children.
As a breed with no small amount of self-esteem, Westies fair best with a consistent approach to training and enjoy to challenge themselves.
A word of caution however for allergy sufferers, West Highland White Terriers are not considered to be a truly hypoallergenic breed although they are minimal to non-shedding.
Westies have a wire coat with a soft undercoat which requires minimal grooming and is easy to maintain without a professional groomer. The average Westie requires grooming every 4-6 months and baths when required or desired.
West Highland White Terriers are hardy and healthy. They generally live long lives of 12-16 or more years.