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Westie Puppies for Sale
West Highland White Terrier
(Westie)
Brody, the adult West Highland White Terrier
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Pronunciation |
West
Highland White Terrier |
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Description |
This sturdy, hardy,
compact little terrier has a two inch all white coat that is uncurled with
a soft, dense undercoat. They have bright, dark, deep-set eyes with a
penetrating gaze. The ears are small, pointed and erect, giving the animal an
alert ready-for-anything look. The tail is carried jauntily, is about 5-6 inches
(12½-15cm.) long and should not be docked. It has a deep chest and muscular
limbs. The Westie has a short, closely fitted jaw with scissors bite, a
pronounced stop, and slightly convex skull. |
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Temperament |
West Highland White Terriers are
described in the standard as being "possessed of no small amount of
self-esteem with a varminty appearance." This game and hardy little Terrier
is easy to train. They are fairly friendly toward strangers and get along well
with behaved children. Westies may snap when irritated, but are not as
willful as many of the other Terrier breeds. They are lively and extremely
self-assured toward other dogs. Westies usually do not pick fights with other
dogs, although some males are combative with other males. They may chase a cat
for fun, but usually will not hurt it. Robust, friendly, cocky and spunky.
Westies just love companionship. Despite its size, they make a very good
watchdog. These little dogs are easy to travel with. The Westie likes to dig and
bark.
An interesting story involving a Westie: There was one case where a
Westie would attack the mother in the family whenever she yelled at her teen-age
daughter. This aggression has gotten progressively worse over the years,
resulting in the mother's complete inability to even scold her child. It
tuned out that the daughter was rewarding the dog for his protection by soothing
and calming him down after each attack or threat to her mother. Thus, the
daughter was perceived as helping her mother by preventing further assaults when
in fact she was helping herself by, in the dogs eyes, rewarding the dog for its
behavior.
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 10-12 inches
(25-30cm.) Bitches 9-11 inches (23-28cm.)
Weight: Dogs 15-22 pounds (7-10kg.) Bitches 13-16 pounds (6-7kg.) |
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Health Problems |
Most are fairly healthy. Some are
prone to chronic skin problems, Perthe's disease (hip problems), hernias, liver
disease, and jawbone calcification. |
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Living Conditions |
West Highland White
Terriers are suitable for people in towns and
cities as well as in the country. They are very active indoors and will do okay
without a yard. |
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Exercise |
These little dogs,
need a daily walk.
Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all
breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get
to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will
also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in
yard. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 15 or more years. |
Grooming |
The harsh, straight, short-haired
double coat is fairly easy to groom and sheds little to no hair. Simply brush
regularly with a stiff bristle brush. Brushing should keep the coat clean, so
bathe only when necessary. Trim around the ears and eyes with blunt-nosed
scissors. The whole coat should be trimmed about every four months and stripped
twice a year. |
| Origin |
In the middle of the nineteenth
century, it happened that the breeder of the Cairn Terrier in the country of
Argyll, Scotland got some white pups in his litters. Those pups were selected
and bred to obtain the West Highland White Terrier, which is simply a white
Cairn. Westies were originally bred for controlling the population of rats, fox,
otter and other vermin. This charming terrier is now mostly a companion dog. |
| Group |
Terrier, AKC Terrier |
| Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC,
NKC, NZKC, CET, APRI, ACR |
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CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American
Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel
Club
KCGB = Kennel
Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian
National Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
CET = Club
Español de Terriers (Spanish Terrier Club)
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry |
"Oscar is a Westie -- a
West Highland Terrier. In this photo, he is 6 months old. Oscar
does not shed, loves to play with other dogs, and is totally
fearless. His favorite pastime is eating bugs -- including bees,
which he catches and spits out. He is very mellow for a terrier and
likes to cuddle with us. A little dog (20 pounds) with a big
personality!"
Westie Shirts!
Westie Posters and Prints!
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Madison, the Beautiful Westie
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Brody, the Westie sit'in pretty!
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Photo Courtesy of Otto
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WHWT breeding station AL - MOKTAR
Photo Courtesy of Lekesova
West Highland White Terrier Pictures
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