West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, is a Scottish dog breed with a characteristic white rough coat and a fairly soft white undercoat. Although it is a medium-sized terrier, it has longer legs than other Scottish terrier breeds. It has a double coat of white fur that fills out the dog's face and gives it a more rounded appearance.

The breed is clever, quick to learn, and maybe a nice family dog, although it does not usually accept rough treatment. Because they were previously employed to hunt rodents, the Westie is an active and clever breed that is also gregarious and has a high prey drive.

The contemporary breed is descended from a variety of white terrier breeding initiatives in Scotland prior to the twentieth century. The Westie, a cousin of the Cairn Terrier, was raised to hunt small rodents in settings like farms. Edward Donald Malcolm, 16th Laird of Poltalloch, is credited with developing the present breed from his Poltalloch Terrier, but he refused to be called that.

George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll's Roseneath Terrier, and Dr. Americ Edwin Flaxman's Pittenweem Terriers were two other similar breeds. This little white Scottish terrier breed was given its contemporary name for the first time in 1908, and major kennel clubs began to recognise it about the same time.

The breed is still quite popular in the United Kingdom, with several Crufts triumphs. Since the 1960s, it has ranked in the top third of all breeds in the United States. It has appeared on television and in films, including Hamish Macbeth, as well as in advertisements for Cesar dog food and Black & White Scotch whisky. Several breed-specific and non-specific health issues affect the breed, including "westie jaw," a disorder in young dogs that causes an overgrowth of bone in the dog's jaw. It can also be prone to skin problems, such as hyperplastic dermatosis, which is a breed-specific ailment. They are a very active and noisy breed that requires one hour of daily activity.

[Image will be uploaded soon]

West Highland White Terrier Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus: Canis

Scientific Name: Canis Lupus

History

Scottish white terriers were first reported under James VI of Scotland's reign, which lasted from 1567 to 1625. The king ordered a dozen of these white terriers to be brought in from Argyll and given to the Kingdom of France as a gift. Sandy and brindle-coloured dogs were thought to be tougher than other colours, whereas white canines were seen to be feeble. It has been considered a white offshoot of both the Scottish Terrier and the Cairn Terrier breeds at various periods throughout its history.

Clan Campbell's chief, George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll, produced the "Roseneath Terrier," a white Scottish terrier breed. Dr. Americ Edwin Flaxman of Fife developed his line of "Pittenweem Terriers" out of a female Scottish Terrier that had white progeny about this time. The dog seemed to produce white puppies independent of the sire to which she was bred, and after drowning over 20 of them, he came to the conclusion that it was an ancient Scottish Terrier trait that was attempting to reemerge. He re-dedicated his breeding program to producing white Scottish Terriers in order to raise the breed's status to that of the dark-coloured breed. Flaxman is credited with introducing white Scottish Terrier classes to dog shows at the turn of the century.

Edward Donald Malcolm, 16th Laird of Poltalloch, is the individual most closely identified with the development of the present breed of West Highland White Terrier. Malcolm possessed game-working terriers; according to legend, a reddish-brown terrier was mistaken for a fox and shot. As a result, Malcolm decided to create a white terrier breed, which he named the "Poltalloch Terrier." The initial generation of Poltalloch had sandy coats and had already developed prick ears, a feature that would subsequently be evident in the contemporary breed. It's unclear whether the Poltalloch Terriers and Pittenweem Terriers were crossed. Malcolm announced in 1903 that he did not want to be acknowledged as the breed's inventor and demanded that his white terrier breed be renamed. The phrase "West Highland White Terrier" originally appeared in L.C.R. Cameron's 1908 book Otters and Otter Hunting.

During the early twentieth century, the breed was so popular that dogs were traded for hundreds of guineas. The Westie is the third most popular terrier breed in the United Kingdom, with 5,361 puppies registered with the Kennel Club as of 2010. However, since 2001, when it was the most popular terrier breed, with 11,019 new dogs registered, the number of dogs has decreased. In the United States, the breed's position has been more steady, with the breed ranking in the top third of all breeds since roughly 1960. It was ranked 30th most popular in 2001, according to American Kennel Club registrations, and has remained in the 30s in the decade thereafter, with a ranking of 34th in 2010.

West Highland Terrier Physical Appearance

Westies' eyes are often brilliant, deep-set, almond-shaped, and dark in colour. Their ears are erect and sharp. The average weight of a member of the breed is 15–20 pounds (6.8–9.1 kg), and the average height at the withers is 10–11 inches (25–28 cm). The dog's body should be shorter than the dog's shoulder height.

A deep chest, powerful limbs, a black nose, and a short, closely fitted jaw with a "scissors" bite are also features (lower canines locked in front of upper canines, upper incisors locked over lower incisors). When climbing on rocky surfaces, the Westie's paws are slightly splayed out to offer it a greater grip than flat-footed breeds.

The nose and footpads of early puppies feature pink marks, which fade to black as they grow older. Westies have short, robust tails as well. Some reports claim that their tails were bred to be thick so that a Westie stuck in a hole could be easily hauled out by the tail due to their past as rodent catchers. Their undercoat is velvety, dense, and thick, and their outside coat is rough and can grow to be around 2 inches (5.1 cm) long. The fur softens the edges of the face, giving it a more rounded appearance. As puppies grow into adults, their harsh outer coat is typically removed via "hand-stripping," which is especially common at dog shows, or cutting. Although some light-coloured Westies exist, the majority of Westies are pure white.

West Highland Terrier Behaviour

The West Highland White Terrier's temperament varies widely, with some being sociable around youngsters and others preferring isolation. It will usually not tolerate rough treatment, like as a youngster yanking on its ears or fur, and can be food and toy-obsessed. This emphasizes the need for consistent training beginning at a young age. It is generally self-assured, assured, and self-assured, and can serve as a good watchdog. It is a devoted breed that forms strong ties with its owners, but it is always on the move, necessitating daily exercise (15–30 minutes, but ideally at least an hour). The Westie is the most gregarious of all the Scottish terrier breeds and is the friendliest and happiest of them all.

It is a tough breed that can be stubborn, causing training challenges. Throughout its lifetime, a Westie's training may need to be renewed. It has a normal terrier prey drive and is fascinated by toys, particularly chasing balls. It does have earth-dog qualities, such as inquisitive and investigative characteristics, as well as innate instincts to bark and dig holes. In Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, it is ranked 88th in the average range.

West Highland Scottish Terrier Health

Abdominal hernias, which are common in many breeds, are predisposed to the breed. Craniomandibular osteopathy, often known as "lion jaw" and sometimes referred to as "westie jaw," can affect Westie puppies. Because the disease is autosomal recessive, it can only afflict a puppy if both of its parents are carriers of the faulty gene. The illness can be found in a variety of breeds, including terriers of various sorts as well as other unrelated breeds like the Great Dane. It affects dogs under the age of a year and can make it difficult for them to chew or swallow food. By the time the puppy is a year old, the problem has usually stopped advancing and in some cases has even reversed. Anti-inflammatory medicines and soft meal feeds are usually used to treat it. Tube feeding may be required in some circumstances. However, if the animal is still unable to feed and is in excruciating agony, death may be the last viable medical choice.

Skin problems are common in this breed. Atopic dermatitis, a heritable chronic allergic skin disorder, affects around a quarter of the Westies polled. Males are afflicted to a greater extent than females. Hyperplastic dermatosis, a rare but serious breed-specific skin disorder, can afflict both juvenile and adult West Highland White Terriers. Red hyperpigmentation, lichenification, and hair loss are all possible symptoms in affected dogs. This disorder can be misinterpreted as allergies or less serious forms of dermatitis in its early stages. 

Globoid cell leukodystrophy is an inherited genetic disease that affects the breed. It affects Cairn Terriers as well as other breeds such as Beagles and Pomeranians and is not breed-specific. Galactosylceramidase deficiency is a neurological disorder in which the dog lacks the enzyme galactosylceramidase. The symptoms become apparent as the puppy grows older, and by the age of 30 weeks, they can be identified. Tremors, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking are all symptoms of the disease. The symptoms gradually worsen until limb paralysis occurs. Because it is a hereditary issue, owners should avoid breeding sick animals in order to eradicate the disease from the breed.

"White dog shaker syndrome" is another hereditary disease that affects the breed. The ailment was originally assumed to be linked to the genes for white coats because it was most usually identified in Westies and Maltese, but it has now been discovered in other nonwhite breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dachshund. Tremors of the head and limbs, ataxia, and hypermetria are common symptoms that appear over the course of one to three days. Males and females can be impacted for various lengths of time, with females experiencing symptoms for four to six weeks and males experiencing problems for the rest of their lives.

Other less common problems seen in the breed include hydroxyglutaric aciduria, which occurs when the dog's urine, blood plasma, and spinal fluid have high quantities of Alpha-Hydroxyglutaric acid. It can induce seizures, muscle rigidity, and ataxia in Staffordshire Bull Terriers, although it's more prevalent in Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The breed is also prone to Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease, which causes hip joint degeneration. Other breeds, such as the Australian Shepherd and the Miniature Pinscher, have a significantly higher risk of developing this illness. The breed is also one of the least susceptible to luxating patella, a condition in which the kneecap slips out of position.

Food and Diet

Most commercial feeds, whether kibble or wet, can supply the Scotland Westie with the nutrients they require on a regular basis. 

The right amino acids must be present in their daily diet. This guarantees that the dog receives the protein he or she requires for energy. It also needs fatty acids. Animal fat, oils, and plant food provide this. These ingredients promote cell growth, maintain the coat white, and keep their skin healthy. Wheat products that don't provide nutrition or energy to the dog's diet should be avoided, according to the National Academy of Sciences.

Maintenance and Grooming

Grooming is essential on a daily basis to keep the dog's pristine white coat free of matting. While brushing one's coat, keep an eye out for signs of skin inflammation, redness, or swelling.

West Highland Terriers are prone to dermatitis. Medicated shampoos and regular bathing can help prevent or at least deter this. This should be a veterinarian-approved program. Otherwise, a healthy Westie only needs to be bathed every two to three months. Hair below the eyes should be trimmed. They'll get matting and tear spots if they don't. To erase reddish-brown tear stains, they must be gently wiped around the eyes with hydrogen peroxide on a daily basis. At pet stores, there are treatments for removing tear stains.

West Highland Terrier Puppies

Westie puppies are adorable, with a personality that outnumbers their bodies. In the household, it's critical to temper their excitement and curiosity. They'll chew on anything and will dirty anywhere unless properly educated. As a result, secure any wires or cords that the dog might chew on. Move any objects that they might collide with or break. Place cleaning supplies and chemicals, as well as plants, waste, and other items, in their proper places.

You might wish to confine or kennel a puppy overnight so you can rest easy knowing it isn't getting into mischief. Purchase something that will not "shrink" as the puppy matures. Work with your breeder or veterinarian to ensure that your Westie is properly nourished and trained. Potty training should also begin as soon as feasible.

Dogs Similar to West Highland Terrier

• Cairn Terrier: The Cairn Terrier is one of Scotland's earliest working dogs. The breed was named from the duty of hunting and chasing quarry between Scottish highland cairns.

[Image will be uploaded soon]

• Yorkshire Terrier: A Yorkshire Terrier is the quintessential lapdog and one of the tiniest dog breeds. It reaches a maximum height of nine inches and a maximum weight of seven pounds. Yorkshire Terriers are terriers at heart, and they exhibit many of the breed's more opulent qualities.

[Image will be uploaded soon]

• Border Terrier: The Border Terrier is a terrier dog breed with a rough coat and a petite size. This terrier has ancestors in the Bedlington Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont and was bred to hunt fox and vermin.

[Image will be uploaded soon]