West Highland White Terriers were originally bred for catching rodents. They are fond of digging and barking. Nonetheless, they are easy to train and can get along well with strangers, older children, and other pets.
What Is a West Highland White Terrier?
The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, is a dog breed from Scotland. They are one of the most popular among the terrier group. These dogs possess a distinctive white harsh coat with a soft white undercoat. They are medium-sized, having longer legs than the other Scottish terriers.
Originally bred to be hunters, they have a high prey drive. They love digging and chasing small animals such as squirrels and rodents. As pets, they love being with their people. They can form a bond with the entire household, including other pets.
Are West Highland Terriers Good Pets?
Westies are energetic and friendly dogs. They make great pets because they love being in the company of people.
Their size and coat give them their adorable appearance.
And because they are clever, they can learn new things quickly.
Are West Highland White Terrier Good Family Dogs?
The West Highland White Terrier is a charming pet for the family. They make great playmates for children. To avoid rough handling, supervision is necessary for the younger ones.
Furthermore, they get along quickly with other pets, be it cats or other dogs.
Are West Highland Terriers Good for First-Time Owners?
First-time dog owners will love the West Highland White Terrier. This dog breed is petite, sweet, and loyal.
Though they need regular grooming care for their coat, they have minimal shedding.
They also can be easily trained.
Are West Highland White Terrier Cuddly?
Known to be one of the most affectionate breeds, Westies love constant cuddling. Should you allow it, they will lovingly curl up on your lap. They are a responsive and loyal breed. Other ways they show their fondness are through licking and pawing.
Are West Highland Terriers Vicious and Aggressive?
Due to a host of different reasons, dogs can become aggressive. While a few Westies are reported to be aggressive, most of them are not. Since they can be very vocal, their spirited barking may be mistaken for vicious behavior.
Do West Highland White Terriers Get Along With Cats?
West Highland White Terriers were bred to hunt small animals. Today, they make good family pets. Friendly and easygoing, they have learned to get along and live well with cats.
Still, you may need to watch these terriers with felines. Their strong prey instinct might still push them to chase cats and other small animals.
Can West Highland White Terrier Stay Home Alone?
Should you need to leave your Westie alone, only do so for a short duration. Ensure that it has tons of toys and games to play with.
Be wary. Leaving them alone for too long can be a bad idea. It might cause them to be bored and lonely. Your pet may engage in escape attempts and other behavioral concerns.
How Long Can a West Highland White Terrier Be Left Alone?
An adult West Highland White Terrier can be left alone at home for four to eight hours. This is dependent on how they respond to separation. If your pet becomes restless when you are away, it might have separation anxiety.
It might be best to address this concern before trying again. Practice separating gradually. Leave for a few seconds initially. Increase this to minutes, then hours. Eventually, your terrier will tolerate being away from you without any concerns.
Do West Highland White Terrier Shed?
Your Westie sheds little to no hair. Compared to other thick-coated breeds, they don’t blow their coats when seasons change. You can further reduce shedding by regular brushing and grooming (stripping or trimming) your pet’s coat.
How Much Do West Highland White Terriers Shed?
The West Highland White Terrier has minimal shedding. Regular brushing, stripping, and trimming help to keep its coat in the best shape. However, since they are prone to skin problems, bring them routinely to the vet. Doing this will keep your pet’s skin and coat healthy.
Are West Highland Terriers Good for Allergies?
West Highland White Terriers are known for their dense and wiry coats. Being low shedders, they are a good choice of pet for people with allergies. This type of coat retains the least allergy-causing dander.
Are West Highland White Terriers Hypoallergenic?
The West Highland White Terrier is a hypoallergenic dog breed. Their harsh and wiry coat cause minimal to no allergic reactions. Because they shed minimally, dander is also prevented from spreading in the air. It is safe for them to be around people who are allergy sufferers.
Are West Highland Terriers Noisy and Vocal?
West Highland White Terriers are vocal. They may use barking to express their strong attachment to their human family.
You can keep them from being noisy by engaging them in consistent and persistent training.
Do West Highland White Terriers Bark a Lot?
Westies are inclined to be nuisance barkers. Their barking comes from instinctual triggers. Seeing rodents and small animals, such as squirrels, in the yard cause them to bark. Sometimes, they also yap when they’re bored.
Ensure that they are occupied, so their mental and physical energies are well-spent.
How Do I Get My West Highland White Terrier to Stop Barking?
It would help if you understood that your reactions validate and reinforce your pet’s behavior. If you yell at their barking, they will follow suit with your state and continue yapping.
Try to remain calm to address your terrier’s barking and other pertinent behaviors. Get their attention by calmly approaching and having them look at you. Then, tell them “no bark” in a firm tone. When they stop, calmly praise them by saying, “good, no bark.” Divert their attention to another stimulus immediately. It can be a treat or toy.
As with other training and behavior modification techniques, you must be consistent.
Prepare yourself when you expect a catalyst. You may also avoid a trigger altogether by keeping them out of a particular area in the house. Using something to block their view of the triggers may be helpful. This is the same with using sounds, such as music, to mask sounds they usually react to.
Male or Female West Highland White Terrier?
Male and female Westies are generally similar in appearance and personality. Both have a high energy level, making them ready for play or a walk anytime. The boy or girl is friendly and loves spending time with the family. Both can be very vocal. They love being the center of attention, and they’ll bark to get it.
There have subtle differences such as:
- Male Westies are larger than their female counterparts. They stand around an inch taller. Also, they weigh a few pounds more.
- Males mature later than females. Their energy lasts longer, which can make them more difficult to train. Females mature earlier and seem slightly easier to train.
- Males can be territorial, while females protect what they consider theirs. Because of this, both genders tend to be aggressive. This behavior can be corrected through training.
The individual dogs, not their gender, will determine their personality. It will also depend on their training, upbringing, socialization, and treatment.
How Much Are West Highland White Terriers?
The average price range of a West Highland White Terrier is between $350 and $3,800. Perhaps, they are not the most expensive dog breed. But they are pretty pricey, considering their size.
How Much Is a West Highland White Terrier Puppy?
West Highland White Terrier is among the most expensive breeds of small dogs. The average cost of purchasing a quality Westie puppy from a reputable breeder is about $1,200 to $2,500.
Should you opt to get from the top breed lines and a superior pedigree, you may need to shell out between $3,500 and $5,000.
How Much Is a West Highland White Terrier in the UK?
West Highland White Terrier puppies usually cost between £200 and £3,000 in the UK. Adult and rescue dogs’ prices range from £135 to £2,000, while show-quality and purebred dogs would have a higher tag price.
Where to Buy West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terriers are common in the United States. They rank 41st out of the 189 breeds on the American Kennel Club’s list. Westies are one of the easiest terriers to find.
To ensure you get a quality puppy, purchase a West Highland White Terrier from a show breeder. These people breed to produce the standard of appearance for the dog-show ring.
Where Can I Adopt a West Highland White Terrier?
Look into dog rescue organizations, public animal shelters, and other humane societies. West Highland White Terriers are often available from these groups. They may have been turned in because of the undesirable traits common to all terrier breeds. These are barking, chasing, stubbornness, and others.
Other Westies may have been given up simply because of family issues. These dogs may have no behavior problems.
