West Highland White Terrier
White because a Scottish laird lost a dark terrier to a misplaced shot and bred for a colour he could see. Kept to work rock and go to ground after vermin.
Overview
The Westie was developed in Scotland to work rock and cairns after vermin, and it was bred white deliberately after a hunter reportedly shot his own wheaten coloured terrier by mistake, having taken it for a fox. Whether or not that story is exact, the reasoning behind white working terriers is genuine.
It is among the most popular small terriers and it has a specific and serious health issue that buyers should know about.
Temperament
Confident, cheerful and busy. Westies are affectionate with their families, good with children, and they are among the friendlier terriers with strangers.
They dig, they bark, and the prey drive is real. They are stubborn and independent and they train with food rather than authority. They are alert watchdogs and the barking is a genuine consideration.
Care and grooming
The harsh double coat needs brushing twice a week plus hand stripping two or three times a year. Clipping softens it permanently and makes skin problems worse.
Atopic dermatitis is very common in the breed and it is the commonest reason Westies see a vet. Craniomandibular osteopathy, sometimes called westie jaw, occurs in puppies. Pulmonary fibrosis, sometimes called westie lung, is a serious progressive condition specific to the breed.
Living and exercise
An hour a day plus play. They suit flats given the exercise.
The skin is the practical health issue and it is lifelong in affected dogs. Buying from a breeder who will discuss skin and lung disease in their lines is worth doing. Thirteen to fifteen years.
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