West Highland White Terriers are an elegant, yet sturdy dog breed. This dog breed is also known as Westies or Poltalloch Terriers. The West Highland White Terrier breed began in the Highlands of Scotland. They were originally used to hunt vermin. The West Highland White Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1908.
As the name implies, the only coloring of West Highland White Terriers is white. The coat is typically about two inches long with a dense undercoat. The West Highland White Terrier requires regular grooming. The dog owner should brush the dog at least twice a week.
West Highland White Terriers are not heavy shedders. A West Highland White Terrier has pointed, erect ears. In contrast with the white coat, they have black noses and dark eyes. The tail of West Highland White Terriers is about five inches long.
Westies are notoriously poor at getting along with cats and smaller pets. They also tend to try to dominate other West Highland White Terriers of the same gender. West Highland White Terriers are an intelligent dog breed and are eager to please their owners. This makes Westies one of the easier dog breeds to train. Westies tend to bark at the sight of strangers. Some dog owners appreciate this alert.
The West Highland White Terrier is one of the sturdier small dog breeds, but it still does better with older, gentle children. This dog breed is active and does best with an active family who involves the dog in family exercise activities. Westies require a daily walk and time to play as a minimum exercise requirement. West Highland White Terriers are inclined to chase and therefore, the dog owners should make sure that the dog is secured by a leash or exercised in a securely fenced area.
The average life span of Westies is eleven to fifteen years. The average weight for these dogs is fourteen to twenty pounds. They are typically ten to twelve inches tall. West Highland White Terriers are prone to allergies, cataracts, seizures, hernias, luxating patellas, liver disease, and other health conditions.
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