The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, came into being during the middle of the nineteenth century.
According to one legend, a Cairn Terrier breeder in Scotland inadvertently got white puppies in his litter.
Those white puppies were then specifically bred to obtain the West Highland White Terrier breed.
The Westie would, therefore, simply be a white Cairn Terrier.
A variation on this legend claims that the Westie was bred from the white puppies of both Cairn and Scottish Terriers.
This was done so that the dog, which was used to hunt, would not be mistaken as a fox.
The AKC (American Kennel Club) originally registered the Westie in 1908 under the breed name Roseneath Terrier.
In 1909 the name was changed to West Highland White Terrier.
The Westie has short legs and averages between 10- and 11-inches high.
A healthy weight for these dogs is between 15 and 22 pounds.
They have small, balanced, tough frames and relatively short tails.
As their name implies, the West Highland White Terrier is always white.
They have a double-coated in order to keep them insulated and protect them in bad weather.
The top coat is generally about two inches long, hard and straight and the undercoat is thick and soft.
The West Highland White Terrier is easy to groom.
Despite their long coat, they are light shedders.
Regular brushing with a soft bristled brush and occasional trimming of the hair around their eyes is all that is required.
Most Westies are not lazy lap dogs.
They tend to be highly energetic, curious, intelligent, alert, friendly, and courageous.
Westies crave attention and activity.
Left alone for long periods, they can become restless and may get into mischief.
This breed loves to dig and may be destructive to gardens and flowerbeds.
Westies also have a tendency to enjoy the sound of their own voice.
While they don't typically bark just for the sake of it, they will bark to announce visitors or outdoor activity.
This makes them excellent watchdogs.
West Highland White Terriers have a natural hunting instinct.
Their initial reaction when spotting a squirrel or bird will likely be to chase it.
Even a well-trained Westie may be unpredictable.
For this reason, Westie's should always remain within fenced yards or on a leash.
The Westie is normally a healthy breed, though they can be prone to chronic skin problems.
Their life expectancy is 14 years or more.
According to one legend, a Cairn Terrier breeder in Scotland inadvertently got white puppies in his litter.
Those white puppies were then specifically bred to obtain the West Highland White Terrier breed.
The Westie would, therefore, simply be a white Cairn Terrier.
A variation on this legend claims that the Westie was bred from the white puppies of both Cairn and Scottish Terriers.
This was done so that the dog, which was used to hunt, would not be mistaken as a fox.
The AKC (American Kennel Club) originally registered the Westie in 1908 under the breed name Roseneath Terrier.
In 1909 the name was changed to West Highland White Terrier.
The Westie has short legs and averages between 10- and 11-inches high.
A healthy weight for these dogs is between 15 and 22 pounds.
They have small, balanced, tough frames and relatively short tails.
As their name implies, the West Highland White Terrier is always white.
They have a double-coated in order to keep them insulated and protect them in bad weather.
The top coat is generally about two inches long, hard and straight and the undercoat is thick and soft.
The West Highland White Terrier is easy to groom.
Despite their long coat, they are light shedders.
Regular brushing with a soft bristled brush and occasional trimming of the hair around their eyes is all that is required.
Most Westies are not lazy lap dogs.
They tend to be highly energetic, curious, intelligent, alert, friendly, and courageous.
Westies crave attention and activity.
Left alone for long periods, they can become restless and may get into mischief.
This breed loves to dig and may be destructive to gardens and flowerbeds.
Westies also have a tendency to enjoy the sound of their own voice.
While they don't typically bark just for the sake of it, they will bark to announce visitors or outdoor activity.
This makes them excellent watchdogs.
West Highland White Terriers have a natural hunting instinct.
Their initial reaction when spotting a squirrel or bird will likely be to chase it.
Even a well-trained Westie may be unpredictable.
For this reason, Westie's should always remain within fenced yards or on a leash.
The Westie is normally a healthy breed, though they can be prone to chronic skin problems.
Their life expectancy is 14 years or more.
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