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West Highland White Terrier: Breed Profile, Temperament, Health, and Care Guide

A West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, is a small Terrier Group breed developed in western Scotland to hunt rats and vermin, bred white so hunters could tell it apart from foxes.

A West Highland White Terrier, commonly called a Westie, is a small Terrier Group breed developed in western Scotland to hunt rats and other vermin in the rocky hillsides of the Scottish Highlands, bred deliberately white so hunters could distinguish the dog from the foxes and other prey it pursued. That practical origin gave the breed its now-iconic all-white double coat, and today’s Westie is among the most recognizable and popular small terriers in the United States. This guide covers where the breed originated, its temperament, how big West Highland White Terriers get, how long they live, the health problems they are prone to, grooming, how much exercise they need, how easy they are to train, what to feed them, the pros and cons of owning one, and what else people ask.

What Is a West Highland White Terrier and Where Did the Breed Originate?

A West Highland White Terrier belongs to the American Kennel Club’s Terrier Group. The breed descends from white Scottish terriers bred as early as the 1700s on the Poltalloch estate in Argyll, in the western Highlands of Scotland. According to breed tradition, the white coat was deliberately selected so hunters wouldn’t mistake the dog for a fox and accidentally shoot it during a hunt. Westies were first shown in Scottish dog shows in 1896, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1908.

The American Kennel Club defines the breed in its “Official Standard of the West Highland White Terrier”, approved February 13, 2024, which sets out the size, coat, and temperament a West Highland White Terrier should have. As of September 2026, the AKC ranks the West Highland White Terrier 41st of 210 breeds in popularity.

Who Created the West Highland White Terrier?

Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of Poltalloch is credited with fixing the breed in the late 1800s. Breed tradition holds that he lost a reddish terrier that was mistaken for a fox and shot, and afterward bred only white dogs. For a time the dogs were known as Poltalloch Terriers, and a related strain bred by the Duke of Argyll was called the Roseneath Terrier, before the name West Highland White Terrier settled in the early 1900s.

What Is a West Highland White Terrier’s Temperament Like?

A West Highland White Terrier’s temperament is smart, independent, and playful, and the breed is nearly always described as cheerful and a genuine joy to be around. The standard calls for a dog that is “alert, confident, courageous, self-reliant, and friendly,” possessing “no small amount of self-esteem.” Westies are alert, watchful dogs that bark readily at strangers or anything unusual, which makes them effective, if occasionally overzealous, watchdogs. A strong prey drive traces directly back to its rodent-hunting purpose, meaning small pets like rabbits or hamsters can be at real risk, though Westies do fine with cats when introductions are handled carefully.

Do West Highland White Terriers Dig?

Yes, enthusiastically. Westies were bred to follow vermin into dens and burrows, and many will dig under a fence or through a flower bed after a mole or a smell. A fence set into the ground, supervision in the yard, and a legal digging spot, such as a sandbox with toys buried in it, keep the instinct under control. Earthdog tests and barn hunt give the breed a sanctioned outlet for the same drive.

How Big Do West Highland White Terriers Get?

West Highland White Terriers are a small, sturdy breed with a distinctive white double coat, dark, deep-set almond eyes, and pointed, erect ears. Both males and females fall in the same general size range.

What Is the Average West Highland White Terrier Height and Weight?

Measure	American Kennel Club figure
Height	11 inches (male), 10 inches (female)
Weight	15-20 pounds
Life expectancy	13-15 years

Figures are from the American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier breed profile, retrieved September 2026.

How Long Do West Highland White Terriers Live?

West Highland White Terriers live 13 to 15 years, a long lifespan reflecting the breed’s overall hardiness. Regular veterinary care, including monitoring for the breed-specific conditions covered below, supports a full, healthy life.

What Health Problems Are West Highland White Terriers Prone To?

West Highland White Terriers are documented as being at higher risk for the following conditions.

What Is Craniomandibular Osteopathy in West Highland White Terriers?

Craniomandibular osteopathy, sometimes called “Westie jaw,” causes abnormal bone growth along the jaw and skull in puppies between about four and eight months old. Affected puppies have painful, swollen jaws, drool, and struggle to eat. Pain relief and soft food carry most dogs through, and the growth slows or stops when the skeleton matures. A DNA test identifies carriers of the gene variant linked to the disease in the breed.

What Skin Problems Affect West Highland White Terriers?

Skin disease is the breed’s most common everyday issue. Atopic dermatitis, an allergy to pollen, dust mites, or other environmental triggers, causes itchy paws, face rubbing, and red skin, and yeast infections of the skin follow easily. Epidermal dysplasia, sometimes called “armadillo Westie syndrome,” is a more severe inherited form that thickens and darkens the skin. Management combines medicated baths, allergy medication, and in some cases a special diet.

What Is Westie Lung Disease?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, known as “Westie lung,” is a progressive scarring of the lung tissue that affects middle-aged and older Westies more than any other breed. A dry cough, fast breathing, and tiring on walks are the signs, and a vet hears crackles in the chest. There is no cure, but medication can ease symptoms and slow the decline in some dogs.

What Other Health Problems Affect West Highland White Terriers?

Transitional cell carcinoma, the most common urinary tract cancer in dogs, is a documented concern in the breed, and blood in the urine or straining to urinate in an older Westie needs a vet check. Dry eye, cataracts, patellar luxation, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease of the hip also occur. Globoid cell leukodystrophy, a fatal nerve disease of young puppies, and copper-associated liver disease are rarer inherited conditions in the breed.

Which Health Tests Should a West Highland White Terrier Breeder Provide?

Ask for a patella evaluation and an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist on both parents, along with DNA results for craniomandibular osteopathy and globoid cell leukodystrophy. A breeder should also be open about skin allergies in the family line, since atopy is strongly inherited.

How Do You Groom a West Highland White Terrier?

West Highland White Terriers have a dense white double coat that needs consistent, careful grooming, including regular brushing and periodic hand-stripping or clipping to keep it in proper condition. Given the breed’s tendency toward skin allergies, using a gentle, appropriate shampoo and drying the coat thoroughly after bathing matters more than with less skin-sensitive breeds.

Grooming task	How often
Brush and comb, with attention to legs and face	Two to three times a week
Hand-strip or clip	Every 6 to 8 weeks
Wipe the face and under the eyes	Daily
Trim nails	Every 3 to 4 weeks
Brush teeth	Daily

Hand-stripping keeps the outer coat harsh and bright white, while clipping is quicker but softens the coat over time. Either is fine for a pet.

How Much Exercise Does a West Highland White Terrier Need?

A West Highland White Terrier needs regular daily exercise, meaning walks and active play, reflecting the breed’s energetic, always-ready-for-adventure personality. Westies that don’t get enough physical and mental stimulation are prone to excessive barking as a way of entertaining themselves, so consistent daily activity matters for behavior as much as physical health.

Are West Highland White Terriers Easy to Train?

Yes, West Highland White Terriers are intelligent and trainable, quick to pick up new commands, though their independent streak means patience and positive reinforcement work better than repetition alone. The breed rarely tolerates rough handling, so a gentle, consistent approach gets the best long-term results.

What Should West Highland White Terrier Training Focus On?

Recall is the hardest skill for a terrier that locks onto small animals, so keep a Westie leashed in open areas and practice with a long line. A “quiet” cue manages the watchdog barking, and handling practice makes grooming, ear checks, and allergy treatments easier. Short, playful sessions with food and toy rewards hold a Westie’s attention better than repetitive drills.

What Should You Feed a West Highland White Terrier?

West Highland White Terriers do well on a complete and balanced formula suited to their age and activity level, and because the breed is prone to skin allergies, some dogs benefit from a diet that avoids specific protein triggers, best identified with a veterinarian’s help. Portion control also matters, since obesity worsens the breed’s existing joint and skin health risks.

How Do You Find a Food Allergy in a West Highland White Terrier?

An elimination diet is the only reliable test. For eight to twelve weeks, the dog eats only a prescription or novel-protein diet, with no other treats or table food, and the owner tracks whether the itching improves. Blood and hair tests sold for food allergies are not considered accurate. Many itchy Westies turn out to have environmental allergies instead, so a vet’s guidance keeps owners from changing foods endlessly.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a West Highland White Terrier?

Here are the main advantages and drawbacks of owning a West Highland White Terrier, side by side.

Pros	Cons
Smart, playful, cheerful temperament	Prone to skin conditions and allergies requiring ongoing management
Compact size well suited to apartment living	Documented risk of pulmonary fibrosis later in life
Long average lifespan	Coat requires consistent grooming, including periodic hand-stripping
Alert, effective watchdog	Strong prey drive can put small pets at risk

Anyone who likes the breed’s spirited personality but would rather not search for a breeder can contact West Highland White Terrier rescue organizations, which place adult dogs regularly.

What Else Do People Ask About the West Highland White Terrier?

The questions below cover what it costs to buy a West Highland White Terrier, whether a family home is a good fit, the difference between the Scottish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier, and why barking is so common in the breed.

What does it cost to buy a West Highland White Terrier?

West Highland White Terrier prices vary by region, bloodline, and breeder reputation, and given the breed’s predisposition to skin, dental, and orthopedic issues, pet insurance is commonly recommended regardless of purchase price. Adopting an adult Westie through a rescue is a lower-cost alternative.

Is a family home a good fit for a West Highland White Terrier?

Yes, West Highland White Terriers are good family dogs, known for being affectionate and patient with children, though as with any breed, supervision and early socialization matter. Their small size and moderate exercise needs also make them well suited to apartment living.

What Is the Difference Between the Scottish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier?

Scottish Terriers and West Highland White Terriers share common ancestry from the same original Scottish terrier stock, but they differ in coat color and body proportions. Westies have a distinctive all-white coat and somewhat longer legs, while Scottish Terriers have a black, brindle, or wheaten coat and a lower, longer body.

Why is barking so common in the West Highland White Terrier?

West Highland White Terriers are naturally alert and watchful, a trait rooted in their history as vermin hunters, which shows up today as readiness to bark at strangers or anything unusual. Consistent training and enough physical and mental stimulation can reduce excessive barking, though the breed’s alert nature won’t fully train away.

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