The West Highland White Terrier is not an ancient breed, like, for example, greyhounds. Its origins date back to the 19th century, in the West Highlands of Scotland. In fact, the literal translation of its name is West Highland White Terrier. However, it is one of the first breeds recognized by the British Kennel Club, which happened in 1907.
Today, the Westie is one of the favorite breeds worldwide, including Spain, where it has been one of the most recognized and appreciated for years. In fact, we dedicated a special session to one of them and their ARISTOPARENT.
What are Westies like?
Our beloved Westies are especially known for their small size, their striking white coat, and their cheerful character.
Their coat is amazing. Hard, about 5 centimeters long, without curls. The undercoat is short, soft, and dense. It's a pleasure to stroke it, brush it… although it does require some consistency to keep it looking its best.
From their small body, we love their dark, intelligent, and deep eyes; the sharp tips of their small, erect ears; their long, proud tail, covered in harsh hair. We also like the vitality they exude when they walk, with their back so straight, with short but firm steps. It's a joy to watch them, so athletic!
What is the Westie's temperament like?
The Westie is a dog that easily adapts to 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… Therefore, it's advisable to be cautious when letting it off-leash during walks in the countryside, as it can get very excited.
Although it loves the countryside, thanks to its versatility, it is as happy in urban environments as in rural ones. It only needs close contact with its ARISTOPARENT to be comfortable. However, a little patience is needed, especially with adult males, because they tend to be somewhat stubborn and dominant. But with a good hand, living with this dog is a pleasure. It has enormous social skills!
How to care for Westies?
One of the particular characteristics of the Westie is its striking white color. But this can become a drawback in terms of the care it needs. Certain areas of the body acquire a rusty brown tone that makes it look unsightly, and keeping them white requires additional effort from the ARISTOPARENT, either for personal grooming or for booking regular grooming sessions.
The Westie is not a breed prone to serious diseases. However, its white fur can make its skin more sensitive than that of other dogs. To minimize the consequences of this sensitivity, it is very appropriate to give the Westie a 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 kibble adapted to its jaw characteristics and enhanced palatability, even better. At ARISTOSHOP, we have foods that meet the nutritional needs of your West Highland White Terrier. Click here to discover what's best for them.
If you want to know more about other ARISTODOG breeds in more detail, keep reading here.
