| West Highland White Terriers ( Westies) began their | | | | find themselves with a loyal, loving companion for the |
| history as the undesirable white offspring of the | | | | life of the dog. |
| dark-colored Cairn Terrier. With the dog's popularity | | | | Terrier puppies, like all very young dogs, should be |
| today, it is hard to believe that the early Westies were | | | | trained in short sessions of five minutes or less. Make |
| usually drowned or shot. | | | | the training session play for both you and your terrier. |
| One breeder, though, Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm | | | | Generously reward your dog with praise. They are |
| of Poltalloch, is credited with recognizing the potential | | | | also known to react well to food training. |
| of the white coat. The legend is that it made the dog | | | | Your Westie will become confused if you lash out at |
| more visible as it ran through brush, and prevented it | | | | its misbehavior, particularly if you continue to be angry |
| from being mistaken for prey during foxhunts. He bred | | | | after the behavior has stopped. Your little terrier wants |
| them for their white coats, and for many years they | | | | to please you, and by consistently rewarding the |
| were known as Poltalloch Terriers. | | | | behavior you wish to promote, you will encourage it to |
| The Westies, as they commonly called today, the | | | | become part of the dog's personality. |
| Cairn, Scottish, Skye, and Dandie Dinmont, | | | | Like the Scottish Terrier, and other terrier breeds, |
| Westhighland Terriers are closely related breeds that | | | | Westies are barkers. Barking is a dog's natural way to |
| arose in the rugged terrain of Scotland. They were | | | | communicate a variety of feelings from happiness, to |
| bred to chase down small prey such as otters, foxes, | | | | anxiety, to boredom. The terrier breeds, though, are |
| badgers, and vermin. | | | | quicker to bark than other dogs. |
| The Terrier's features and temperament both were | | | | The most natural reaction by dog owners is to yell at |
| honed until it became a feisty little dog that would | | | | your terrier to stop barking. This is exactly the |
| determinedly run its quarry to ground. | | | | WRONG thing to do. Your dog hears the loud voice |
| It has a small, compact body, with short legs, which | | | | as a sort of human bark, and it only reinforces the |
| allowed it to run and squirm through underbrush where | | | | behavior. The key is to remain calm, verbally and |
| its usual prey dwelled. The Westie's double coat has | | | | physically, and diffuse the terrier's excited emotional |
| coarse outer hairs to shed dirt and debris, and a thick, | | | | state. Say 'no bark' in a calm but firm tone. Never |
| soft undercoat. | | | | forget to reward the dog when the barking stops. |
| Like many hunting dogs, they are considered intelligent. | | | | West Highland Terriers are clever, active dogs, and |
| They also are prone to pursue any creature that runs | | | | they will sometimes bark out of boredom. Be sure to |
| from it. Barking announced to the hunter that it was on | | | | provide your dog with walks and appropriate play to |
| the chase. Westie dogs were trained and bred to | | | | stimulate their minds and bodies. You can divert their |
| become more aggressive the harder the prey tried to | | | | attention with a chew toy that can be stuffed with a |
| escape. | | | | food treat. |
| The origin of the word 'terrier' is in the Latin word 'terra' | | | | It's not that hard to see then that the West Highland |
| - earth. It was given to them, and all terrier breeds, | | | | White Terrier definitely qualifies as one of man's best |
| because once their prey is run to ground, they will dig it | | | | friends. |
| out. Westies today still possess the tendency to be | | | | I do hope that you have found the article of use to |
| diggers. | | | | you. |
| The modern white westhighland terrier dog is a hardy, | | | | (Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site |
| tenacious breed that is also loyal and friendly. They still | | | | relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions |
| retain the traits of their ancestors: a love of the chase, | | | | of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for |
| a moderate tendency to bark, a habit of digging, and | | | | informational purposes only and is not meant to be a |
| they are prone to become a bit aggressive during | | | | substitute for the advice provided by your own |
| very rough play. | | | | veterinarian. You should not use the information |
| They are a little obstinate, and need firm, consistent | | | | contained herein for diagnosing the health of any |
| discipline. However, they are also easy to care for, and | | | | animal. You should always consult and check with your |
| natural guard dogs. Those taking a Westie as a pet will | | | | own vet or veterinarian. |