West Highland White Terrier
Overview
A confident, friendly little terrier — the "Westie" is hardy, characterful and adaptable to smaller homes.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a West Highland White Terrier is good with children and generally fine with other dogs. They tend to be a vocal / alert barker, and as a guide they are good for first-time owners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult West Highland White Terrier typically needs around an hour of exercise a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is regular brushing and shedding is low. Brush regularly (a few times a week) to keep the coat healthy and remove loose hair. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a West Highland White Terrier should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a small breed will eat relatively little compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Bold, friendly and adaptable to flat living
- +Sturdy with modest exercise needs
Things to consider
- –White coat needs regular grooming and they can be prone to skin allergies
- –Typical terrier traits — likes to bark, dig and chase
Is a West Highland White Terrier right for you?
On space, a West Highland White Terrier is flat-friendly — they can adapt to a flat as long as they get their daily exercise and company. For experience level, they are good for first-time owners. That makes them a reasonable choice for a committed first-time owner.
Kit that suits a West Highland White Terrier
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are West Highland White Terriers good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, West Highland White Terriers tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a West Highland White Terrier need?
As a healthy adult, a typical West Highland White Terrier needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do West Highland White Terriers shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is regular brushing — brush regularly to keep the coat in good condition.
Are West Highland White Terriers easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Good for first-time owners. West Highland White Terriers are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do West Highland White Terriers bark a lot?
Vocal / alert barker. They can be quite vocal, so early training and enough exercise and stimulation help keep barking in check.
Are West Highland White Terriers good with other dogs?
Generally fine with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do West Highland White Terriers suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A West Highland White Terrier can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.