West Highland White Terrier

Personality

A Westie is confident, cheerful and curious, with the strut of a dog that thinks it is much bigger than it is. These terriers are friendly and affectionate with their families, usually outgoing with visitors and playful well into old age. They like being busy and having company, and they quickly learn which household routines lead to treats.

They are also true terriers. A Westie will chase squirrels, cats and anything else small that moves, dig in the garden and bark at anything unusual. Many are independent thinkers who consider commands as suggestions. That makes them entertaining but sometimes frustrating, and they respond best to short, fun, reward-based training rather than repetition or harshness.

With children, they do well in homes with considerate older kids; a Westie will not tolerate rough handling or tail pulling, and the breed's quick reactions mean a nip can result. Other dogs are usually fine if socialized early, though some Westies are feisty with dogs they do not know. Bored or lonely Westies find their own entertainment, so give them jobs, toys and company.

History

The Westie comes from the Scottish Highlands, where small terriers were developed by farmers and country gentlemen to keep down rodents and other vermin. According to the AKC, the breed's history goes back to the 1700s, when the Malcolm clan began breeding spunky white terriers on their estate at Poltalloch, which is why the breed was sometimes called the Poltalloch Terrier. It was also known as the Roseneath Terrier.

According to a widely repeated story, Colonel Malcolm once mistook a reddish dog emerging from cover for a fox and shot it, and decided on the spot to breed only white dogs that could be readily identified in the field. The details of the story vary between sources.

The first show for the breed was held at Crufts in London in 1907, and the American Kennel Club registered its first Westies in 1908. The name West Highland White Terrier was made official in 1909. Since then, the Westie has been a favorite show and companion dog around the world. Today it is far more likely to chase a ball than a badger, but the original working instincts remain.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Westie is a compact, sturdy, well-balanced terrier with a deep chest and strong legs. According to the AKC, a male stands about 11 in (28 cm) tall and a female about 10 in (25 cm), and most weigh around 15–20 lb (7–9 kg).

The head is slightly rounded with a distinct stop, a short, strong muzzle, a prominent black nose and small, erect, pointed ears. Dark, deep-set eyes give a piercing, bright expression. The tail is short, carrot-shaped and carried upright, and is not docked.

The coat is the breed's trademark: a double coat with a hard, straight, white outer layer about 2 in (5 cm) long and a soft, dense undercoat. The breed standard calls for pure white only; any cream or wheaten tint is a fault in the show ring. Skin under the white coat is often pink or lightly pigmented. White fur shows dirt easily, so stains around the mouth, feet and tear ducts are common.

Training

Westies are smart, but they are strong-willed. They learn quickly when training is interesting and rewarding, and switch off when it is dull or heavy-handed. Keep sessions short and upbeat, use tasty treats or a favorite toy, and end while the dog is still keen.

Begin early with socialization. Introduce your puppy to many people, places, sounds and polite dogs, so that its natural boldness stays friendly. Basic manners, house training and crate training help set routines. Teach a "leave it" and "drop it" cue early, since terriers tend to guard food and toys and chase small animals.

House-training can be slow for some small terriers, so be consistent, use a regular schedule and reward success. Our guide on how to crate train a puppy can help.

Recall is a lifelong project: a Westie on a scent trail may not hear you at all, so use a leash or a secure area for exercise. Many enjoy canine sports such as agility, rally and earthdog trials, which give the breed's drive a legitimate outlet.

Exercise

The Westie needs a moderate amount of exercise, typically around an hour of walking and play every day for an adult, depending on age and health. Variety is key: sniffing walks, games of fetch or tug, and some off-leash running in a secure area keep the dog fit and happy.

Mental stimulation matters as much as physical activity. Food puzzles, scent games and training sessions give the terrier brain something to do. A bored Westie digs, barks and chews, so a sandbox or a designated digging area can save the lawn.

Safe fencing is important. This terrier will follow its nose under, over or through small gaps, and a prey drive can override good manners in a second. Keep the dog on a leash in unfenced areas.

Puppies should not have long, strenuous exercise or constant jumping while their joints develop. Older dogs and those with skin problems or breathing issues may need adjusted routines, and you should keep activity gentle in hot weather. For more general advice, see our guide on how much exercise a dog needs.

Grooming

A Westie's white double coat needs regular care to stay healthy and tidy. Brush several times a week with a slicker brush and a comb, working through the coat to the skin to prevent mats, particularly on the legs, beard and belly. The breed sheds lightly, which is one reason it appeals to people who dislike shedding, but it is not hypoallergenic.

Show Westies are traditionally hand-stripped, a technique of pulling out dead outer hair by hand or with a tool, which keeps the coat harsh and white. Many pet owners instead have the coat clipped every couple of months by a groomer; clipping is easier but can soften the texture and dull the color over time. Ask a groomer who knows terriers about the options.

Bathe when dirty, using a gentle dog shampoo, and rinse thoroughly, as skin irritation is a common concern in the breed. Wipe tear stains and beard stains regularly, check the ears, trim the nails and brush the teeth; our guide on how to brush your dog's teeth walks you through it.

Feeding

Feed a complete and balanced diet suited to a small, active dog, in measured portions twice a day. Many Westies love food and will happily gain weight, which puts extra strain on joints and breathing. You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, with a visible waist; our guide to telling if your dog is overweight shows the check. The dog food calculator can give a rough daily calorie goal.

Use part of the daily ration for training treats, and choose small, low-calorie options. Slow feeders and puzzle toys make mealtimes last longer and add mental stimulation.

Westies are prone to skin allergies and sensitive skin. If your dog is itchy, licks its paws constantly or has recurrent ear infections, talk to your vet before changing the diet; elimination diets need veterinary guidance. Dental disease is also common in small breeds, so daily tooth brushing and a vet-approved dental plan matter. Ask your vet before giving any supplements, and always provide fresh water.

Health

Westies are generally long-lived, often reaching 13–15 years, but they have several breed-linked health concerns. Skin disease, particularly atopic dermatitis and allergies, is the most common problem and can cause lifelong itching, redness and ear or skin infections. "Westie lung disease," a form of canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is a progressive scarring of the lungs that is most often seen in this breed and can lead to respiratory failure; reduced stamina, coughing or difficulty breathing needs veterinary attention. Craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO, or "lion jaw"), a painful overgrowth of jaw bone in puppies, is inherited in Westies, and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, kneecap problems and bladder cancer are also described.

The West Highland White Terrier Club of America endorses CHIC screening with a hip X-ray, a patellar exam, an eye certification exam and a DNA test for craniomandibular osteopathy. Ask breeders for results.

See a vet for chronic itching, coughing, limping, jaw pain, blood in the urine or straining to urinate. Dental care, weight control and regular checkups can help.

Health conditions to know about

• Atopic dermatitis and skin allergies — Chronic itching, redness and skin or ear infections are common in the breed.
• Westie lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis) — Progressive lung scarring causing reduced stamina, cough and difficulty breathing.
• Craniomandibular osteopathy — Painful jaw-bone overgrowth in puppies; inherited, with a DNA test available.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease — Degeneration of the hip joint's femoral head in young small dogs.
• Patellar luxation — Kneecap slips out of place, causing skipping or lameness.
• Bladder cancer — Transitional cell carcinoma is more common in Westies; signs include blood in the urine and straining.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patellar evaluation
• Hip evaluation
• Eye exam
• Craniomandibular osteopathy DNA test

Read more: allergies.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a West Highland White Terrier

The Westie is among the more adaptable terriers. It can do well in an apartment as long as it gets daily walks and mental stimulation, and it is also happy in a house with a secure yard. Its small size makes it easy to travel with.

Barking is the main apartment issue. Westies are alert and tend to announce visitors, passers-by and strange noises, so train a quiet cue early and make sure the dog is not bored.

They like company and do not like being alone for long hours. Dogs left alone may bark, dig or chew. Crate training, interactive toys, a midday walker or daycare all help.

Westies tolerate cool weather well, thanks to the double coat, but can overheat in hot, humid conditions, so provide shade, water and air conditioning where needed. They are usually fine with considerate children and with other dogs they have grown up with. Small pets are at risk because of the prey drive. White coats attract dirt, so a towel by the door and a regular wipe-down keep the house cleaner.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Prices for Westie puppies vary widely, depending on breeder, region and the health testing behind the litter. Because of the breed's popularity, there are plenty of poorly bred puppies on offer, often at suspiciously low prices or available immediately.

A reputable breeder is typically affiliated with the West Highland White Terrier Club of America or a national equivalent, health-tests breeding dogs, raises puppies in the home, can talk knowledgeably about skin, lung and jaw issues in the breed, and welcomes questions. Ask to meet the mother and to see test results. Avoid sellers who do not let you visit, offer several breeds at once or will ship a puppy without a conversation.

Adoption is an excellent option as well. Westie rescues exist in many regions and place adult dogs with known temperaments, which can be helpful if you want a calmer pace. Whichever way you go, plan to start socialization, house training and grooming practice from the first week; our puppy first-week checklist is a useful starting guide.