| It was in the isle of Skye that the Scots divided their | | | | - Lion Jaw syndrome known as 'Cranio mandibular |
| breeds of canines into two categories the Skye | | | | osteopathy' |
| terriers and the Dandie Dinmont terriers. The later | | | | - A common disorder of the kneecap |
| category was declared an entirely separate breed of | | | | - Common liver diseases |
| dog and the West Highland White Terrier found itself | | | | - Sudden deafness |
| belonging to the Skyes. | | | | - Heart disease |
| A West highland White Terrier is commonly called a | | | | Care and Exercise of a Westie: |
| 'Westie' in Scotland and the following are the facts of | | | | - Brush off the loose bristles regularly suing a stiff |
| this breed of canine that has won the hearts of many | | | | brush. |
| who have owned them: | | | | - Do not bathe the Westie frequently. Once month will |
| The 'Westie' belongs to a species of dog called | | | | do fine. |
| 'terriers'. They enjoy living indoors or in a fenced yard. | | | | - Strip the Westie of its coat once a year and trim it |
| The Westie has a coat of hair that grows up to 2 | | | | quarterly. |
| inches and has a very coarse or wiry texture. They | | | | - Keep the fur over the eyes trimmed at all times. |
| also have a very thick and furry undercoat which is | | | | - Frequent walks will kept the Westie more agile and |
| usually white in color. | | | | healthy. |
| The Westie grows to about a foot in height and | | | | History of the Westie: |
| weighs approximately 13 to 22 pounds. | | | | The Westie was bred as far back as the 1600 on the |
| So far as their temperament is concerned they | | | | isle of Skye and belongs to a group of canines known |
| - bark and dig up mud | | | | as the 'Terrier'. The white coated wired haired type of |
| - they are not very obedient like other terriers (they | | | | terriers were chosen to cross breed and produce a |
| seem to have a mind of their own) | | | | variety of terrier known as the Poltalloch terriers. Since |
| - Companionship in important to the Westie | | | | teen there has been no looking back for the famous |
| Proper training and handling will make the Westie | | | | Westie, which has had proud owners such as King |
| - friendly towards friends and strangers | | | | James the 1st of England in 1620. |
| - understand and treat children properly | | | | Westies were known as the White Scottish Terriers |
| - chase cats but never hurt them | | | | initially and were renamed in 1904 as the West |
| - become a very smart and good guard dog | | | | Highland White Terrier. The American Kenner Club has |
| - become lively | | | | also ruled in 1904 that the other breeds of the Skyes |
| People who breed the Westie should note health | | | | breed of terrier may be included in their club if the |
| problems: | | | | terrier had the Westie lineage. Nevertheless even |
| - Westies are prone to severe skin problems | | | | without any formal recognition the Westie had already |
| - A common problem known as 'Perthe's disease' | | | | carved a niche for itself in the hearts and minds of |
| relating to the hip | | | | Royal and common folk alike. |
| - Jawbone diseases | | | | |