West Highland White Terrier
Dogs
West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White
Terrier |
A West Highland White Terrier
|
Alternative names |
Poltalloch Terrier
Roseneath Terrier
White Roseneath Terrier |
Country of origin |
Scotland |
Common nicknames |
Westie (or Westy) |
Classification and breed standards |
FCI: |
Group 3 Section 2 #085 |
AKC: |
Terrier |
ANKC: |
Group 2 (Terriers) |
CKC: |
Group 4 - Terriers |
KC (UK): |
Terrier |
NZKC: |
Terrier |
UKC: |
Terriers |
Not recognized by any major kennel club |
This breed of dog is
extinct |
Notes |
|
West Highland White Terriers are a
breed of
dog known for their
spirited personality and brilliant white coat; their devotees often call them
simply Westies. They are friendly, good with children, and thrive on lots
of attention. Like most
terriers,
they have plenty of attitude (some might say "spirit") for a dog their size.
This breed is commonly recognized because it is used as a mascot for Black &
White (a brand of
Scotch whisky) and for Caesar brand dog food.
Appearance
They typically weigh about 15 to 22 pounds (7.5–10 kg) and their average
height is 11 inches (28 cm) at the shoulder. Their tails, short naturally,
should never be
docked and are held upright. They have a soft undercoat and a rough outer
coat, about 2" long, that requires regular grooming. Some Westies have "brandy
stains" on their backs and/or feet, but this is undesirable in show/breeding
specimens.
Temperament
This breed, descended from working terriers, has a lot of energy, tenacity,
and aggression towards its prey, which was originally the
fox and other,
smaller animals such as squirrels. They need regular exercise, and despite their
small size they do not make good apartment pets. Their personality is more
excitable than even some other terriers. They are alert and consider themselves
guard dogs, although their size prevents them from providing any real
intimidation. They are independent thinkers with no small amount of self-esteem,
and must be trained firmly from an early age. If not raised with other cats and
dogs from an early age, they may be aggressive towards such animals later in
life.
Like all dogs, the Westie responds better to love and gentleness than to
cruelty. As with most terriers, harsh training methods are often met only with
stubbornness.
Physical health
Westies' usually have issues with dry skin. Bathing a Westie too frequently
only creates and/or enhances problems with dry skin. Washing once a month or on
a longer interval will keep the dog clean, but will not generate issues with dry
skin. Washing with a detergent-free, baby-oriented, or another soft skin shampoo
will help keep a Westie's skin hydrated.
Many of these dogs have skin
allergies,
and as a result they can be troubled by skin and fur disorders.
Flea bites can
trigger a skin disease which can result in the dog losing fur from the affected
area of its body.
These dogs have two coats. The dense undercoat of short hairs, this is to
keep the dog warm in cold weather. If this undercoat falls out because of
disease then the dog will need a
dog coat to keep it warm.
The outer coat is less dense and contains longer
hairs.
History
Westie wearing the Clan Campbell tartan of the Duke of Argyll (with a Kilted
companion)
Westies are descended from
Cairn
Terriers, who occasionally whelped white puppies naturally, and
Scottish Terriers; who also occasionally produced white offspring. White
offspring from other British Terriers such as the
Bedlington Terrier were occasionally introduced to the bloodline for desired
characteristics, but this practice generally stopped in the 1850s. Some sources
credit Colonel
Edward Donald Malcolm and his kin of
Poltalloch, in the
Argyll region
of Western
Scotland as the originator of this breed in the
1800s. Other
sources credit the
Duke of Argyll (Chieftan of
Clan
Campbell) as the originator of the breed. It may have taken as long as a
hundred years of selective breeding to produce all the desired qualities. Their
white coat made them highly visible when hunting on the Scottish moors and
easily distinguished them from their game. They also possess keen intelligence
and a sturdy frame. Originally the breed was known as Poltalloch Terriers,
although they were also known as Roseneath Terriers, White Roseneath Terriers,
and at the end of the 19th century, briefly as a white variety of the Scottish
Terrier.
Famous Westies
- Doggy, pet of the Souphanousinphone family on
King of the Hill
-
Happy Camden, a Westie mix from the TV drama
7th
Heaven
-
McDuff, main character in a series of illustrated children's books by
author
Rosemary Wells
-
Towser, a UK animated children's TV series
- Wee Jock, faithful companion of fictional Highland policeman
Hamish Macbeth
External links
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