Highland White

Highland White

Information About The Highland Terrier

At around 1700s, the Isle of Skye and other highlands in Scotland were already producing lots of small terriers. Scottish breeds were separated into two: the Skye terriers and the Dandie Dinmont terriers.

The Dandie Dinmonts were categorized as a separate breed. The Skyes included the Scotties, the Cairns and the West highland white terriers or the Westies.

It was also noted that these terriers were the hybrids among the crossed Cairns, Scottish, and Dandies terriers. One could assume that the hybrid would really be loyal and its hunting instincts could not be belittled. In fact, many royalties in Scotland owned terriers that were very similar to the Westies of today.

Another remarkable story is about a Westie that stopped a mother from constantly yelling at her daughter. Every time the mother would yell at her teenage daughter, the Westie would attack the mother. The aggression of the dog got worse over the years that resulted in the mother's complete inability to scold her teenager.

It turned out that the girl was actually rewarding the dog for his protection by calming and soothing him down after every "threat" from her mother. Many would perceive that the daughter was able to help her mother to change her ways when in fact she was helping herself by rewarding the dog for its behavior.

The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about Westies: Category: Terrier Living Environment: indoors (highly recommended); outdoors (fenced yard) Coat: about two-inch coarse and wiry outer coat and soft, dense, and furry undercoat Color: white Height: between 10 and 12 inches Weight: between 13 and 22 pounds Temperament: Naturally, they like to bark and dig they are not as willful like most terriers they love companionship When properly trained they can become fairly friendly towards strangers they develop close affinity with behaved children they love to chase cats but they do not hurt them they can become a very good watch dog they can become very lively Breeders should note of the following health issues: Chronic skin problems Perthe's disease (hip problems) Jawbone calcification Cranio mandibular osteopathy (lion jaw) Patella luxation, a disorder in the kneecap Liver ailments Deafness Congenital heart disease

Care and Exercise: Their coat should be brushed regularly using a brush with stiff bristles. They should bathe only when necessary. Their whole coat should be stripped at least twice a year and trimmed every four months. The fur on the eyes and ears should be trimmed using blunt-nose mirrors. They will surely be more agile and healthy after regular sessions of play and/or walk.

Origin/History: As noted, they share the same lineage with Cairns and Scotties (from Skye terriers), and even with the Dandies. This trio was developed in the Isle of Skye, which was one of the highlands in Scotland. It was noted that white whelps were chosen from the wiry-coated Cairns, Scotties, and Dandies to produce the variety that were known as Poltalloch terriers.

Following are some items in the history that show the Westies' reputation of being owners' favorite companion dogs. Records in the history mentioned that around 1620, King James 1 of England requested some small white dogs from Argyleshire in Scotland. Colonel Malcolm, who was considered as the originator of Poltalloch terriers, that are very similar to the Westies of today, accidentally shot his terrier (a dark one). From then on he vowed to have only white terriers.

In the 19th century, terriers that were very similar to the Westies were known as Roseneath terriers in honor of Duke of Argyll's interest and patronage of this breed. Roseneath was the name of his estate at Dumbartonshire.

In the first-ever dog show that were organized in the late 1800s, the Westies were called as White Scottish terriers. In 1904, they were classified under the name West Highland White terriers.

During the mid-1900s, breeders of the Cairns in Argyll, Scotland selected white puppies from the stock and interbreed some to obtain white Cairns. However, in 1917, the American Kennel Club ruled that Cairns could be listed if they have the Westies' lineage. We can say the history repeats itself for this delightful terrier is now mostly a favorite companion dog of many households.

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What are some pros and cons to having a West Highland white Terrier?

My cousin is buying a dog, and her parents want it to be small, so I told her to get a Westie...but they want to know if this dog barks a lot, and what are some good and bad things about it....
so if you own one or happen to know someone please tell me about them...thanks!!!

We have a Westie, and he is such a great dog! I would highly recommend a Westie because of its happy, loving personality... and they get along great with kids. (My husband's family raised Westies, and he got me my first Westie).

Our dog barks a little, but is definitely not a yappy dog like some breeds are. He stops barking whenever someone comes in the door. Any dog you get should be properly trained however. Even a Westie can be obnoxious if the owner has not trained him well. My sister's Westie is not trained well, and he is O.K., but not a great dog. (Remember a puppy of any breed will want to chew things, and Westies are no different. Keep all good shoes, etc. out of reach until they are done teething!).

A Westie loves to play and is a people dog. Don't get one if you will leave it alone all day. It sheds a little, but if you brush it regularly, it isn't bad. We get our Westie groomed every month to keep it looking like the breed is supposed to look. But I know people who get their hair cut shorter and take it to the groomer less often.

The are so cute and have the best temperament. If you will spend time with it, train it, and invest in a little grooming, there is no better dog around.

West Highland White Terrier