The West Highland White Terrier breed is an active one and can be a handful. West Highland White Terriers require a lot of attention while young if they are to learn proper behavior. Once housebroken and trained they make good and amusing pets for those able to keep up with them.
The West Highland White Terrier's Behavior
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Source: Wikipedia.
Recommended for: pet, working dog
The West Highland White Terrier dog breed is a working terrier breed. As any terrier, they have a lot of spirit when it comes to hunting prey: fox and other smaller animals such as squirrels. They require regular exercise though their size makes them good pets for apartments. Their personality is considered more excitable than normal for terriers. They think of themselves as suitable guard dogs though humans would think otherswise. Their independent streak makes it necessary to train them from an early age. Failure to get them acquainted with other cats and dogs while young will mean that they will be aggressive towards such animals once they grow up. In training they respond better to love and gentleness.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.
The West Highland White Terrier's Physical Characteristics
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Here are some of the characteristics of the West Highland White Terrier breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.
- Size: males 11 inches, females 10 inches
- Coat: double-coated, straight, hard white hair for outer coat
- Color: white
- Eyes: widely set apart, almond shaped, dark brown
- Ears: small, carried erect, set wide apart
- Muzzle: blunt, bit shorter than skull, powerful
- Nose: black
- Tail: relatively short, carrot-shaped, set high so the spine never slopes down to it
The West Highland White Terrier's Origins and History
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Source: Wikipedia.
Country/Region of Origin: Western Scotland
Original purpose: hunting
Name: 'West Highland' for the region in Scotland where it was thought to be bred; once known as Poltalloch Terriers, Roseneath Terriers, and White Roseneath Terriers.
Historical notes: Sources credit Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of the Poltalloch while others the Duke of Argyll of the Campbells as the originator of the breed in the 19th century. It may have taken over a hundred years of breeding from white Cairn Terriers and white Scottish Terriers and for a time from white Bedlington Terriers to finally produce all the desired qualities.