West Highland White Terrier — breed guide
A plucky, portable terrier with big-dog swagger. Digs, chases and charms in equal measure.
At a glance
- Group
- terrier
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 6.8–9 kg (15–20 lb)
- Life span
- 13–15 years
- Coat
- Hard, white double coat
Living with a West Highland White Terrier
- Moderate energy — a proper walk every day.
- Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
- Light shedding.
- Trainable with consistency.
- Barks readily.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Average cold tolerance.
Temperament
Spunky · Confident · Loyal · Happy
Health to watch
- Skin allergies
- Luxating patella
- Craniomandibular osteopathy
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Did you know
Legend says Westies were bred white after a hunter mistook his wheaten terrier for a fox — visibility became life-or-death.
Questions people ask
Is a West Highland White Terrier good with kids?
Generally yes. West Highland White Terriers are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a West Highland White Terrier good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a West Highland White Terrier need?
A real walk every day, around 30–60 minutes.
Can a West Highland White Terrier handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a West Highland White Terrier's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.