The West Highland White Terrier is not an ancient breed, unlike, for example, the greyhound. Its origins date back to the 19th century, in the West Highlands of Scotland. In fact, the literal translation of its name is white terrier of the West Highlands. Nevertheless, it is one of the first breeds recognised by the British Kennel Club, which happened in 1907.
Today, the Westie is one of the world's favourite breeds, including in Spain, where it has been one of the best-known and most highly regarded breeds for years. In fact, we dedicated a special session to one of them and its ARISTOFATHER.
What are Westies like?
Our beloved Westies are especially known for their small size, striking white coat, and cheerful temperament.
Its coat is incredible. Hard, approximately 5 centimetres long, and without curls. The undercoat is short, soft, and dense. It is a pleasure to stroke and brush it… although it is true that it requires some consistency to keep it looking its best.
We love the eyes of its small body: dark, intelligent, and deep; the sharp tips of its small, erect ears; and its long, proud tail covered in coarse hair. We also love the vitality it radiates when it walks, with its back so straight and its short but steady stride. It is a joy to see it, so athletic!
What is the Westie's temperament like?
The Westie is a dog that adapts easily to different circumstances. It has a great adventurous spirit that dates back to its hunting past. In fact, it retains its keen sense of smell and boundless enthusiasm for being outdoors, running, jumping, tracking… So it is best to be cautious when letting it off the leash during walks in the countryside. It can get very carried away.
Although it loves the countryside, thanks to its versatility, it is just as happy in urban environments as in rural ones. It only needs close contact with its ARISTOPADRE to feel comfortable. That said, you need to be a little patient, especially with adult males, as they tend to be somewhat stubborn and dominant. But with a gentle touch, living with this dog is a pleasure. It has excellent social skills!
How to care for Westies?
One of the Westie's distinctive characteristics is its striking white color. However, this can become a drawback when it comes to the care it requires. Certain areas of its body take on a rusty brown hue, which greatly detracts from its appearance, and keeping them white requires additional effort from the ARISTOPADRE. Whether you groom it yourself or book regular grooming appointments.
The Westie is not a breed that is prone to suffering from serious illnesses. However, its white coat can make its skin more sensitive than that of other dogs. To minimize the effects of this sensitivity, it is highly advisable to give your Westie food rich in specific amino acids for hair growth, as well as fatty acids, which help strengthen the skin's barrier function. If the Westie's food also has a kibble adapted to the characteristics of its jaw and enhanced palatability, even better. At ARISTOSHOP, we offer food that meets the nutritional needs of your West Highland White Terrier. Click here to discover what is best for your dog.
If you want to learn more about other ARISTOPERROS breeds in greater detail, keep reading here.
