West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White Terrier is an entertaining, adorable, and smart pup. It’s one of the most popular dogs of the small terrier breed, and you can easily see why! West Highland White Terrier, more often called “Westies” than not, are a sturdy, alert, and courageous dog.

The origin of the Westie goes back about 300 years to the British Isles, specifically Scotland. West Highland White Terriers were bred to curb a rodent problem in the region. People called these sorts of dogs “earthdogs” because their focus was on finding and disposing of rats. Although their plush-toy looking dogs don’t seem as though they are meant to catch rats on the land but their high-alert attitude, strong, and intelligence, along with an easy-going demeanor, allows them for any sort of flexibility. 

Westies have a small, compact body, dark eyes, and a high, tight tail. Their all-white double coat is hard to the touch—a likely benefit for the cold, wet Scottish hills. Westies are independent but, once trained properly, become loyal and entertaining additions to any family. 

Did you know?

This breed of terrier was originally called the Roseneath, a sort of tribute to a place in Scotland belonging to the Duke of Argyll.