West Highland White Terrier
About the West Highland White Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 10-11" |
| Weight | 15-20 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
30 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, West Highland White Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your West Highland White Terrier
The story behind the West Highland White Terrier
The breed comes from the western Highlands of Scotland, where tough little terriers worked fox, badger and vermin among rocks and cairns. The various Scottish terriers were long regarded as regional varieties of one working type before being separated into distinct breeds in the nineteenth century. Tradition credits the deliberate breeding of white dogs to a Highland laird, commonly identified with the Malcolm family of Poltalloch, who is said to have selected white terriers after a reddish dog was mistaken for a fox and shot; whatever the truth of the story, white made the dogs visible in the field. The breed was shown under several names before the West Highland White Terrier name settled at the turn of the twentieth century; Kennel Club and American Kennel Club recognition followed soon after. It became a widely popular companion breed worldwide during the twentieth century.
Originally bred for: Fox and vermin hunter, earth terrier, farm ratter. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a West Highland White Terrier
Feed a measured complete diet for a small active dog in two portions, keeping the dog trim, since Westies gain weight easily and the coat hides it. Treats should come from the daily allowance, and food quality that supports skin and coat condition is worth prioritising.
Watch for: This breed is frequently seen by vets for allergic skin disease, in which food may be one contributing factor alongside environmental allergens. Persistent itching, ear inflammation or paw licking warrants veterinary investigation, and elimination diets should be designed and monitored professionally.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a West Highland White Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.