Check out More at BrooklynsCorner.com
Dogs 101 WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER Top Dog Facts About the WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER
The West Highland White Terrier, or the Westie, is a mediumsized terrier, and shares its roots with several other terriers that have come out of Scotland. Close ancestors of these dogs had been around as early as during the reign of King James VI of Scotland in the 16th century. The islandbased geography of the country helped breeds with slightly different traits grow in relative isolation over several years. The whitehaired, prickeared Westie first came into prominence around 190507 as the Poltalloch Terrier, so named because it had been developed by Col. E.D. Malcolm, the Laird of Poltalloch. The name went through several iterations, before the present one was adopted in 1909. It was soon recognized by kennel clubs and the breed has been popular ever since as a highly competitive show dog as well as a muchloved pet.
Time for some Ruff Trivia:
What was the supposed reason for Col. E.D. Malcolm to choose to breed whitecolored terriers?
o A: He once ended up shooting a red colored dog of his.
o B: White was the color of strength in Scotland.
o C: White blended well with the local terrain and helped the dogs in hunting.
What do you think, give it your best guess in the comments below before we get to the answer! Hang on tight and we’ll get back to this Ruff Trivia Question toward the end of the video.
The adult Westie has a height of around 9 to 11 inches and weighs about 15 to 21 pounds. This is a dog of compact build with muscular limbs. The alwayswhite coat has a length of about 2 inches and is rough in texture, with a soft dense undercoat. The eyes are widely set apart, medium in size, almond shaped; the ears are small and erect; and the jaw is closely fitted with a scissor bite. The tail is shaped like a carrot and never docked.
Grooming:The Westie requires daily brushing and combing to keep its coat clean and in good condition. Bathing should not be too frequent as it affects the dry coat. The coat also requires shaping every 23 months, which is done by clipping for house pets and by stripping for show dogs. Teeth and ears have to be cleaned regularly, and the nails have to be trimmed periodically too.
Temperament:‘High selfesteem’ is a phrase used often to describe a welladjusted Westie. Independence, confidence and possessiveness are traits found in most of these dogs, making them good watchdogs. It is considered the friendliest of the Scottish terriers, particularly around kids, though it doesn’t enjoy being roughhandled by children. It is not very friendly with other animals. Like other terriers, it enjoys chasing and barks a lot.
Training:A Westie is an intelligent dog, but training requires patience because of its independent and stubborn nature. It is an active breed built for the outdoors, but can be happy in an apartment as long as it gets a daily moderate walk or a good game.
Health:The life expectancy of the West Highland White Terrier is 12 to 14 years, and some dogs are known to live up to even 16 years. An inherited problem in the breed is globoid cell luekodystrophy, which can lead to paralysis. Another genetic condition is something called ‘white dog shaker syndrome’. LeggPerthes syndrome, which causes degeneration of the hip joint; luxating patella, which cause the kneecap to slip; and cataract are some other disorders seen in the breed.
Underneath its irresistible cuteness, the West Highland White Terrier hides an independent and strong dog. One of the friendliest and most active terriers around, it is ideal for owners who can take time out to maintain its great looks.
Find out if the West Highland White Terrierwould be a good addition to your home. Now you can visit Brooklyn’s Corner.com to take our quiz and find out which dog would be the best match for you.
Music by Kevin McLeod Royalty Free