West Highland White Terrier Dogs Characteristics & Information

German Shepherds, with their regal stature and unwavering loyalty, stand as one of the most beloved dog breeds globally. Their versatility, intelligence, and striking appearance have made them a popular choice for various roles, from devoted family pets to working alongside law enforcement.

This article aims to provide comprehensive information about German Shepherds, including their characteristics, training, health problems, and care.

West Highland White Terriers share their ancestry with four other breeds: the Cairn Terriers, the Skye, the Dandie Dinmont, and the Scottish. They originated from Scotland and were mainly bred as hunting dogs and for killing vermin. However, their exact history has yet to be discovered by humankind.  

Their coat colour is attributed to a tragic story. Once, while hunting, Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch shot one of his wheaten Cairn Terriers, mistaking it for one of the foxes. Devastated by such action and to prevent such things, he concluded that he would only breed white dogs to avoid being confused with foxes. 

Some of the characteristics of West Highland White Terrier dogs are:

• Lifespan: Like other toy breeds, West Highland White Terrier dogs have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years. 
• Height: West Highland White Terriers attain a height between 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder.
• Colour: West Highland White Terrier is available only in white coat colour.
• Weight: Irrespective of the gender, the West Highland White Terrier dogs have an average weight of 13 to 20 pounds.  
• Temperament: West Highland White Terriers are loyal, affectionate, and excellent with kids.
• Energy Level: West Highland White Terriers are moderately energetic and need minimal exercise.

Here are a few tips to train your West Highland White Terrier: 

• Manage Prey-drive: If your West Highland White Terrier has a high prey drive, it might be very challenging for you to train your dog. Hence, before training them, try to reduce their prey drive. 
• Praise them Consistently: Praise your West Highland White Terrier continuously when they develop the desired behaviour. You can also offer them their favourite treat to encourage their behaviour. Also, avoid punishment training. 
• Start with Basic Commands: Don’t start with the complex commands, as they tend to confuse and discourage your West Highland White Terrier. Start with basics such as ‘sit’, ‘stand’, or ‘come’. 
• Train in a Quiet Place: Westies have a strong prey drive and are easily distracted by other dogs and animals. Hence, before starting your training session, take them to a quiet place with minimal chance of getting distracted. 

Some of the common health problems in West Highland White Terriers are:

• Cataracts: Cataracts are eye problems that cause opacity of the eye lens. As a result, the West Highland White Terriers have vision problems that gradually progress to blindness. This is mainly common in old age and can be removed with surgery. Juvenile cataract is the most common type of cataract. 
• Pulmonary Fibrosis: In Pulmonary Fibrosis, the supporting and connective tissue in the lungs of your West Highland White Terrier gets scarred. Due to this condition, the lungs tend to lose their elasticity and prevent oxygen diffusion into the bloodstream. As for now, there is no cure, and the prognosis is inferior.
• Craniomandibular Osteopathy: In this condition, the skull bones grow in an irregularly significant manner, and the symptoms may manifest between four and eight months as increased salivation, recurrent fever, and atrophy of chewing muscles. Your West Highland Terrier should be provided with proper nutrition in these cases. 
• Patellar Luxation: These are also slipped stifles, generally seen in young West Highland White Terriers. In this medical condition, the knee joint gets dislocated, which slides up and down, causing severe pain and difficulty walking. The majority of dogs live with this condition without any problem. 
• Legg-Calve-Perthes: Legg-Calve-Perthes refers to the improper blood supply to the head of the femur. As a result, the thigh bone gradually disintegrates. The initial symptoms include limping and atrophy of the muscles. Treatment includes corrective surgery, which relieves lifelong pain—generally seen in young Westie puppies. 
• Shaker Syndrome: In this condition, the Westies shake and have tremors throughout the body. Generally, toy breeds are more prone to this disease. The tremors may be confined to one part of the body or can spread to the whole body. Severe tremors make it difficult for them to carry out daily life activities.
• Allergies: Allergies affect all categories of terriers. The most common allergy is the Westie Armadillo Syndrome, where the dog's head, belly, and feet become itchy, causing pain to your Westie. It gradually spreads to other parts of the body and causes hair loss

Some of the tips to take care of your West Highland White Terrier dogs are:

• Food and Nutrition: Half to one and a half cups of high-quality dog food should be split into two to three meals and provided to your West Highland White Terrier. However, the amount of food depends on various physical factors such as age, size, build, and metabolism. Make sure that your dog is well-rested after eating.
• Grooming: West Highland White Terriers have a short undercoat and a topcoat protecting them from harsh weather. They must be appropriately groomed to protect their coat, and the dead hair must also be removed. You can also contact a professional groomer and get your dog groomed every month. Brushing the coat regularly is also required.   
• Exercise: West Highland Terriers are active dog breeds that like to accompany their owner in every activity. Hence, they make great walking partners. They also tend to chase moving things, which can be dangerous to handle on the roads. Therefore, keeping your dog on a leash can be beneficial on walks.  Apart from this, you can also play with them. 

Therefore, owing to their intelligence, West Highland White Terriers can be trained quickly if the owner is patient and consistent. Also, teach him to bark only when he spots something unusual. They can be affectionate and loyal but also independent and self-assured at the same time. However, they do not need much exercise and can be satisfied with daily walks.