West Highland White Terrier

The endearing looks of West Highland Terrier disguise a tenacious, fiery spirit. It is that of a small, game, hardy looking terrier, possessed with no small amount of self-esteem. Its strong built, deep in chest and back ribs, straight back and powerful quarters, on muscular legs and exhibiting in a marked degree a great combination of strength and activity.

Origin: West Highland Terriers was originally known as the Poltalloch Terrier, being named after the area where it was first bred, Argullshire, Scotland. Its development here occurred by chance, when a dark-colored terrier owned by one Colonel Malcolm was accidentally shot and killed by its owner in 1860. He then decided to breed only white terrier, and so the Westie came into existence, although prior to this, odd white terriers had been recorded.

The terrier of the West Highlands of Scotland has come down to the present day, built on what may perhaps call the fox lines, and it is a type evolved by work, hard and deadly dangerous work. It is only of late years that dogs have been bred for show. The so-called Scottish Terrier, which at present rules the roost, dates from 1879 as a show dog.

Temperament: A self-confident and affectionate dog with an engaging sense of fun.

Exercise: West Highland Terrier enjoy a good run off the leash, especially if you have a ball or Frisbee to catch. It’s best to avoid places where other dogs are around. Being a rather possessive dog, Westies will not appreciate the involvement of other dogs in their games.

Grooming: Daily brushing and combing is essential. However, West Highland Terrier needs twice yearly hand stripping and constant work on its coat if you aspire to the show ring.

Training: West Highland Terrier is a very alert guard at home, and need firm training from an early age, because, in spite of their small size, they can have rather dominant natures.

Physical Appearance of West Highland White Terrier

Head: Should not be too narrow, being in proportion to his powerful jaw, proportionately long, slightly domed, and gradually tapering to the eyes, between which there should be a slight indentation or stop. Eyebrows heavy. The hair on the skull to be from ¾ to 1 inch long, and fairly hard.

Coat: Very important, and seldom seen to perfection; must be double coated. The outer coat consists of hard hair, about 2½ inches long, and free from any curls. The under coat, which resembles fur, is short, soft, and close. Open coats are objectionable.

Eyes: Widely set apart, medium in size, dark hazel in color, slightly sunk in the head, sharp and intelligent, which, looking from under the heavy eyebrows, give a piercing look. Full eyes, and also light-colored eyes, are very objectionable.

Muzzle: Should be powerful, proportionate in length, and should gradually taper towards the nose, which should be fairly wide, and should not project forward beyond the upper jaw. The jaws level and powerful, and teeth square or evenly met, well set, and large for the size of the dog. The nose and roof of mouth should be distinctly black in color.

Ears: Small, carried erector semi erect, but never drop, and should be carried tightly up. The semi erect ear should drop nicely over at the tips, the break being about three-quarter up the ear, and both forms of ears should terminate in a sharp point. The hair on them should be short, smooth (velvety), and they should not be cut. The ears should be free from any fringe at the top. Round, pointed, broad and large ears are very objectionable, also ears too heavily covered with hair.

Neck: Muscular, and nicely set on sloping shoulders.

Chest: Very deep, with bread thin proportion to the size of the dog.

Body: Compact, straight back, ribs deep and well arched in the upper half of rib, presenting a flattish side appearance. Loins broad and strong.

Hind-quarters: Strong, muscular, and wide across the top.

Legs: Both fore and hind legs should be short and muscular. The shoulder blades should be comparatively broad and well sloped backwards. The points of the shoulder blades should be closely knit into the backbone, so that very little movement of them should be noticeable when the dog is walking. The elbow should be close in to the body both when moving or standing, thus causing the forelegs to be well placed in under the shoulder. The forelegs should be straight and thickly covered with short hard hair. The hind legs should be short and sinewy. The thighs very muscular and not too wide apart. The hocks bent and well set in under the body, so as to be fairly close to each other either when standing, walking, or running (trotting); and, when standing, the hind legs, from the point of the hock down to fetlock joint, should be straight or perpendicular and not far apart.

Feet: The forefeet are larger than the hind ones, are round, proportionate in size, strong, thickly padded, and covered with short hard hair. The foot must point straightforward. The hind feet are smaller, not quite as round as forefeet, and thickly padded. The under surface of the pads of feet and all the nails should be distinctly black in color. Hocks too much bent (cow hocks) detract from the general appearance. Straight hocks are weak. Both kinds are undesirable, and should be guarded against.

Tail: Six or seven inches long, covered with hard hairs, no feathers, as straight as possible; carried gaily, but not curled over back. A long tail is objectionable.

Height: 25 to 28 cm / 10 to 11 in

Weight: 7 to 10 kg / 15 to 22 lb

Movement: Should be free, straight, and easy all round. In front, the leg should be freely extended forward by the shoulder. The hind movement should be free, strong, and close. The hocks should be freely flexed and drawn close in under the body, so that, when moving off the foot, the body is thrown or pushed forward with some force. Stiff, stilly movement behind is very objectionable.

Faults to avoid in West Highland Terrier

Coat: Any silkiness, wave, or tendency to ‘curl’ is a serious blemish, as is also an open coat. Black or gray hairs disqualify for competition.

Size: Any specimens under the minimum, or above the maximum weight, are objectionable.

Eyes: Full or light colored.

Ears: Round pointed, drop, broad and large, or too heavily covered with hair.

Muzzle: Either under or over shot, and defective teeth.