West Highland White Terrier

The FCI breed standard describes the Westie as a small, active, game and hardy terrier with no small amount of self-esteem; alert, cheerful and self-reliant, but friendly. The Royal Kennel Club sums it up in one line: small, active and full of self-esteem.

According to PDSA, Westies love their people, adore family life and adapt easily to different kinds of homes. They can also forget how small they are: because they can be very determined and strong-willed, a poorly socialized Westie may bark at much bigger dogs. The AKC notes that, like all terriers, Westies were bred to work on their own, and that independence can make training a bit of a challenge.

Then there's the barking. PDSA says Westies like the sound of their own voice and may bark just for the sake of it when the mood strikes; training reduces it but doesn't make it go away. In the AKC's breed traits, the Westie also gets the top score for barking and watchdog instinct.

The Westie suits homes that can walk and play with their dog every day, budget time and money for coat care and tolerate some barking. PDSA notes that its eagerness to please makes it a popular choice with first-time owners.

PDSA says the Westie suits families with children of any age, but play should stop if it gets too boisterous, and dogs and children should always be supervised together. For more, see our article on kids and dogs at home.

According to the Royal Kennel Club, the Westie comes from Cairn Terrier stock. In the mid-19th century, the Malcolm family of Poltalloch in Argyll, Scotland, began breeding the white Cairns as a separate strain. Many breeders at the time considered white puppies undesirable, but the Malcolms argued that white dogs were easier to spot while working on the moors and among the rocks.

The breed's early names reflect that history: the Poltalloch Terrier, and the Roseneath Terrier, after a strain developed on the Duke of Argyll's Roseneath estate. Over time it became a dog with a slightly shorter body than the Cairn and a more upright tail. The Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1907. According to the AKC, it still has its hunting instinct and does very well at earthdog events, which test a dog's drive to reach quarry underground.

The Westie is small but sturdy, with a deep chest, a level back and muscular legs. Its head is covered in thick hair; the eyes are set wide apart, dark and sharp under heavy brows. The ears are small, erect and pointed.

• Height: According to the FCI, about 11 inches (28 cm) at the withers. The AKC gives 11 inches (28 cm) for males and 10 inches (25 cm) for females.
• Weight: PDSA gives an average of 13–20 pounds (6–9 kg), the AKC 15–20 pounds (7–9 kg). A 2019 study based on the veterinary records of 6,605 Westies in the UK, however, measured an average adult weight of 21 pounds (9.6 kg), with males at 10.1 kg and females at 9 kg; in other words, pet Westies tend to be a little heavier than the standard.
• Coat: Double. According to the FCI, the outer coat is harsh, about 2 inches (5 cm) long and free of curl; the undercoat is short, soft and dense.
• Color: White only. No other color is accepted in the standard.
• Tail: According to the FCI, 5–6 inches (13–15 cm) long, straight and carried upright; the standard says tails should never be docked.

According to PDSA, what makes the Westie high-maintenance is its coat: the thick hair mats quickly, especially on the face and legs, and it sheds year-round. It needs brushing several times a week, and the AKC recommends brushing and combing every day.

• Groomer: According to the AKC, plucking out the dead hair by hand (hand-stripping) is the traditional way to care for this coat, while pet dogs are often clipped instead. The AKC suggests a groomer every 4 to 6 weeks, PDSA every six weeks. Factor this cost in from the start.
• Baths: The AKC notes that bathing this harsh-coated dog too often can do more harm than good. Because skin allergies are common in Westies, PDSA recommends talking to your vet before buying a shampoo.
• Sun: PDSA points out that a white Westie's ears can sunburn easily and need protection in summer.
• Teeth: The AKC recommends brushing often with a dog toothpaste. In the 2019 study, periodontal disease was the most commonly recorded problem in Westies.
• Ears and nails: Ear canal inflammation and overgrown nails were also among the most common problems in the same study. Check the ears weekly and trim the nails regularly.
• Yard: According to PDSA, Westies can squeeze through the smallest of holes; close every gap in the fence.

For a step-by-step routine, see our guide to dog grooming.

PDSA recommends an hour of exercise a day for the Westie: a couple of walks with plenty of sniffing, off-leash running in a secure area, plus training and play on top. The Royal Kennel Club also considers up to an hour a day enough. It's small, but more energetic than people expect.

• Reward-based training: According to PDSA, Westies respond very well to reward-based training but can be willful at times, so you need to be firm, fair and consistent. The AKC says patient, consistent and upbeat lessons work best.
• Leash and fence: According to the AKC, Westies will run after anything that moves, so they do best in a fenced area or on a leash. Our recall training guide can help.
• Barking: Early socialization and reward-based training reduce excessive barking. To understand the cause, read why is your dog barking?
• Time alone: PDSA notes that Westies bond so strongly with their owners that they can develop separation anxiety, and dogs left alone too long may get noisy and chew things. Our separation anxiety guide explains how to teach time alone step by step.
• Dog sports: According to the AKC, Westies do well at obedience, rally and agility, and they're "superstars" at earthdog events.

Westies don't need a special food; a complete, balanced dog food that suits their age and activity level is enough. PDSA recommends splitting the daily amount into two meals and keeping treats under 10% of daily calories. In the 2019 study, about 6% of Westies had obesity recorded.

• Measure food, and subtract training treats from the daily amount.
• If you can feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat and see a waist when you look from above, the weight is right.
• If your dog is itchy or has skin problems, don't switch foods on your own; talk to your vet first.

Some human foods are toxic to dogs; check our list of foods you should never give your dog.

The Westie is a long-lived breed, but some problems are clearly more common in it. The 2019 study also points out that the Westie has been reported as the breed with the second-lowest genetic diversity in the UK. The information below is for awareness only; ask your vet about diagnosis and treatment.

Atopic dermatitis (itchy skin allergy)

An inherited tendency to overreact to things in the environment, like house dust mites and pollen, leads to this skin disease. According to UFAW, the Westie is one of the most predisposed breeds; one study suggested that a quarter of Westies may be affected. Signs usually start before age three. The main sign is itching, most often on the ears, around the eyes and mouth, under the neck, on the belly, the inner legs and the paws. Scratching, rubbing and chewing can lead over time to redness, thickened skin, hair loss and ear canal inflammation. The disease is lifelong and needs regular vet follow-up. In the 2019 study, skin problems were the most common group of disorders in Westies.

Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)

When the immune system damages the tear glands, the eyes don't get enough tears. According to UFAW, Westies are predisposed to this; it usually affects both eyes and starts before age four in half of affected dogs. The first signs are redness and a sticky, thick discharge; without treatment it can lead to painful ulcers and blindness.

Craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO, "Westie jaw")

According to UFAW, this is a painful disease in puppies under a year old in which the bones of the lower jaw and skull grow excessively. A puppy may struggle to open its mouth, not want to eat or run a fever. In many dogs the bone growth slows and regresses around one year of age. According to a 2020 study, a gene change linked to this disease has been found in Westies, Cairns and Scottish Terriers, and the AKC lists CMO among the screenings it recommends for breeders.

Pulmonary fibrosis ("Westie lung")

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease in which lung tissue gradually becomes scarred and stiff. A 2020 genetic study notes that it particularly affects Westies; when a vet listens to the chest they hear crackles, and the dog breathes fast and with visible effort from the belly. In the 2019 UK study, lower respiratory tract disease and cancer were jointly the most common causes of death in Westies. The cause is still not fully understood.

Others

PDSA also lists a kneecap that slips out of place and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a painful condition in which the bone of the hip joint breaks down and crumbles, among the problems seen in the breed; the AKC also recommends kneecap and hip checks for breeders.

A 2024 study using data on about 585,000 UK dogs found a median lifespan of 13.4 years for the Westie, based on more than 6,700 Westies that had died. In the same study, crossbreed dogs had a median lifespan of 12.0 years.

A 2019 study based on UK veterinary records reached the same result: a median lifespan of 13.4 years, with the middle half of Westies dying between 11 and 15. In that study, males (13.8 years) lived slightly longer than females (12.9 years). Dental care, a healthy weight, catching skin and eye problems early and yearly vet checkups are the most concrete ways to protect that lifespan.

• Consider a shelter: PDSA notes that Westies can be found in rescue centers and breed-specific rescues. An adult dog whose personality and health history are known is a good option. Our guide to adopting a shelter dog covers the first steps.
• If you buy from a breeder: Ask to meet the parents; ask whether they have itchy skin or dry eyes, and ask for eye exam and kneecap check results. Make sure the puppy is raised at home with its mother.
• Grooming budget: Regular grooming and possible skin treatment are lifelong costs.
• Red flags: Steer clear of sellers who won't show you the mother, always have puppies available, can't provide paperwork or rush you to "buy now"; PDSA warns that unusually cheap puppies may come from puppy farms.
• Registration: Rules vary by country; many places require or recommend microchipping. In Türkiye, owned dogs must be microchipped and registered in the PETVET system.
• The first days: Our guide to the first week with a new puppy walks you through the first night and first week step by step.