The Dog of the Highlands

At around 1700s, the Isle of Skye and other highlands in Scotland were already producing lots of small terriers. These Scottish Terrier breeds were then separated into two:



The Skye Terriers 
Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

The Dandie Dinmonts were categorized as a separate breed and
the Skyes included the Scotties, the Cairns and the West highland white terriers or the Westies.

The following are some of the basic facts about the West Highland Terrier

    
     They can live Indoors (highly recommended) and outdoors in a fenced yard.
Their Coat is about two inches of a coarse and wiry outer coat and soft, dense, furry      undercoat. They are white and are between 10 and 12 inches in height and 13-22     
pounds weight


    Temperament is not as willful as other terriers. They like to bark and dig. They love companionship and When properly trained the West Highland Terrier can become fairly friendly towards strangers and can also develop a close affinity with children. This terrier breed loves to chase cats but does not hurt them.They can become a very good watch dog


 Health issues of the West Highland Terrier.
Chronic skin problems
Perthe's disease (hip problems)
Jawbone calcification
Cranio mandibular osteopathy (lion jaw)         How To care For A sick Pet~FREE REPORT
Patella luxation, a disorder in the kneecap
Liver ailments
Deafness
Congenital heart disease

  Care and Exercise:
Their coat should be brushed regularly using a brush with stiff bristles and
they should bathe only when necessary.Their whole coat should be stripped at least twice a year and trimmed every four months.The fur on the eyes and ears should be trimmed using blunt-nose mirrors.


  Origin/History:
As noted, they share the same lineage with Cairns and Scotties (from Skye terriers), and even with the Dandies. This trio was developed in the Isle of Skye, which was one of the highlands in Scotland. It was noted that white whelps were chosen from the wiry-coated Cairns, Scotties, and Dandies to produce the variety that were known as Poltalloch terriers. Records in the history mentioned that around 1620, King James 1 of England requested some small white dogs from Argyleshire in Scotland. Colonel Malcolm, who was considered as the originator of Poltalloch terriers, that are very similar to the Westies of today, accidentally shot his terrier (a dark one). From then on he vowed to have only white terriers.                                                                       shopseverywhere.com

In the 19th century, terriers that were very similar to the Westies were known as Roseneath terriers in honor of Duke of Argyll's interest and patronage of this breed. Roseneath was the name of his estate at Dumbartonshire.                                         


In the first-ever dog show that were organized in the late 1800s, the Westies were called as White Scottish terriers. In 1904, they were classified under the name West Highland White terriers.

During the mid-1900s, breeders of the Cairns in Argyll, Scotland selected white puppies from the stock and interbreed some to obtain white Cairns. However, in 1917, the American Kennel Club ruled that Cairns could be listed if they have the Westies' lineage.
  
We can say the history repeats itself for this delightful terrier is now mostly a favorite companion dog of many households.

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