West Highland White Terrier: character, description and reviews of dog breeders (photo)

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

If you are looking for a fun, small, inquisitive and very intelligent dog, then the West Highland White Terrier is what you need. Today, this breed of pet is very popular. Still - a cute face, funny and playful character is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent. Many do not even mean that in fact this dog is an excellent underground hunter.

Where did the West Highland White Terrier come from?

Unfortunately, no one can name with certainty the exact historical period of the appearance of this breed. It is only known that the first serious mention of it dates back to the Middle Ages. This breed was bred in Scotland, the most likely ancestor of the White Terrier is the Scottish Terrier.

Initially, they were working hunting dogs whose prey was small rodents and burrowing animals. With its miniature size, the West Highland White Terrier is distinguished not only by energy and courage, but also by strength and endurance. The hunt went like this: the dog had to find a holeanimal and drive it out. In some cases, white terriers retrieved already dead prey from shelters, which they got in a difficult fight underground. In the household, these cute creatures helped their owners get rid of rodents.

The terrier's noticeable white color from afar was not invented by chance. In nature, there are no wild animals with such hair, thanks to which the hunter is unlikely to confuse him with, say, a fox or a badger.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the white terrier received an official and unchanged name and breed standard to this day. Only in the modern world it is rarely used as an assistant in hunting. Over time, the West has become a sought-after and indispensable friend to many families around the world.

General description of the dog

The West Highland White Terrier is the only white terrier of its kind. He has a very attractive, even somewhat doll-like appearance, behind the softness and tenderness of which hide very hardworking, intelligent, quick-witted and determined animals. If your pet is a West, then you must be an active person, otherwise he will simply be bored. These are restless, very playful, intelligent and easily trainable dogs that will demand your attention all the time.

White Terriers feel great at home, they are obedient and friendly. They constantly accompany and guard their owners and become true true friends for them.

Size and lifespan

These are very small and compact animals, sizeswhich are different between males and females. A white terrier female can reach a weight of 7 kg and a height at the withers of 28 cm, the cables are larger - the height at the withers is 30 cm, and the weight is 10 kg. They have a disproportionate body (the head seems to be the same as the rest of the torso), which makes them even more unusual.

The average life expectancy of terriers is from 12 to 15 years, but only with proper maintenance of the animal and constant care for it. With the vest you need to spend a lot of time. These dogs are very fond of walking and playing and should receive it daily. Shades of coat color range from white to wheaten.

Detailed description of physique

West Highland White Terrier looks like this:

• A compact yet strong build with a wide lumbar region, powerful hips and shoulder torso.
• Round head with intense hairline. Narrowed blunt muzzle, massive superciliary arches.
• Strong jaws with correct bite.
• Black nose.
• The eyes are not too protruding, dark in color, medium size. The gaze of the West is intelligent and piercing. Light-colored eyes are acceptable, but not very good.
• Small, triangular, upright ears with a light coat of wool at the tips. It is undesirable to cut the hair on the ears of terriers.
• Slightly elongated wide neck, sloping shoulders.
• Short and muscular forelegs with thick coat. The front paws are larger than the hind ones, have a rounded shape, the fingers are brought togethertight.
• Compact body, flat back.
• Hind legs, also short, well muscled. Small paws with black nails and pads.
• 15 cm straight tail with short hair. Tail docking is strictly prohibited.
• The coat is not very long with a thick undercoat, there should be no curls.
• Color exclusively white.
• Gait is free, light and straight.

There are some differences in appearance, but they are all undesirable.

Character

West Highland White Terrier dog is quite calm, but at the same time mischievous and playful with his owner. With all their intelligence, good manners and endurance, pets are ready to fight for loved ones and protect them from any misfortune, entering into serious fights with even large animals. Terriers fight to the bitter end.

Small, but very brave, they are perfectly trainable, they learn everything very easily and quickly. Require a lot of attention and education, rarely stubborn.

Energetic and active, have a good "feel". They anticipate danger and do not leave the arrival of guests unnoticed. They love to be the center of attention, they are sociable, although they tend to be jealous of other pets of their owner. They love children, treat them carefully and carefully. Can't stand being ignored, can't stand being treated rudely.

What diseases are prone to West Highland White Terrier

To say news is painfuldogs, it's hard. However, like any other breed, they have some predispositions to diseases such as:

• allergies and dermatitis;
• pulmonary fibrosis;
• atopy;
• problems with the femurs (usually necrosis or joint dysplasia);
• eye diseases (including cataracts and conjunctivitis);
• cardiomyopathy, osteopathy;
• deafness.

In some cases, congenital meningoencephalitis, a disease to which white dogs are particularly prone, may manifest.

Proper maintenance and care

Care for such a beautiful pet must be carefully from a very early age. A West Highland White Terrier puppy must be brushed twice a week and must be clipped or trimmed every year.

The hair grows quite actively on the muzzle, so it needs to be plucked (near the eyes and ears). To maintain hygiene, it is good to rid the genitals of excess hair.

This dog needs to be bathed regularly (at least once a month, depending on weather conditions) due to the fact that the coat gets dirty and dirty quickly. And, of course, exercise! This is an integral moment of the animal growing up, and the owner must unconditionally occupy a higher position, he is the main one, and the dog must understand this from a very early age.

Activities of the National Breed Club (NBC)

Such an organization began its existence in the Russian Federation back in1999. Then the NKP included 2 varieties of dogs: Cairn Terriers and West Terriers. And already in 2004, a separate monobreed club appeared.

NKP West Highland White Terrier organizes annual events for animals and their owners, dog shows are held in various cities of Russia. Only owners of real West Highlands can get on them, pets must fit the West Highland White Terrier breed standard, have all kinds of documentary evidence of this and a good pedigree.

Also NKP sells white terrier puppies. A lot of articles posted on the official website and seminars held by the club help the owners of these beautiful creatures answer many questions they have.

Reviews of dog breeders

There are a huge number of Vest fans around the world. Entire forums and blogs are devoted to this dog. Some of the owners tell their stories from life, someone exposes photos of their pets. People talk about Vestas as the perfect dogs that you can't help but love.

Dogs of the West Highland White Terrier breed, photos of which we bring to your attention, are truly a real find for many families. Choosing such a pet, you will never regret it!

And how touching is the wonderful West Highland White Terrier! Photos of small puppies are especially adorable. They are beautiful, fluffy, tender, playful…

If you decide to buy a vest for yourself,first learn everything that is possible about it, and then make up your mind, having weighed everything beforehand. Love your pet, take care of him and take care! Such friends turn out to be the closest and real ones!