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AKC: West Highland White Terrier breed overview

Terrier group · Scotland

West Highland White Terrier

Also called Westie, Poltalloch Terrier

A bright white coat built for Highland weather, and a terrier's certainty that it is twice its actual size.

The Westie is a sturdy, self-assured little terrier with a trademark white coat that needs more upkeep than it appears. Behind the teddy-bear face sits a digger and hunter with firm opinions. Owners who handle the coat and skin care well are rewarded with a cheerful, confident companion.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

6 to 10 kg

13 to 22 lb

Height

25 to 29 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a West Highland White Terrier

Picture a small dog squeezing into a rocky cairn after a fox, then backing out covered in peat. That was the Westie's original job in the western Highlands of Scotland, where it was developed alongside the Cairn and Scottish terriers. The white color was a deliberate choice, making the dog easy to spot against heather and rock.

Today's Westie keeps its hunter's heart. It is confident, curious, and faster to act than to ask permission. Squirrels, rats and even leaves in the wind can trigger a sprint and a volley of barking. Yet indoors the same dog is usually cheerful and affectionate, happy to follow you from room to room and flop down in any patch of sunshine.

Westies tend to be more sociable with people than some terriers, though many prefer to be the only dog or to live with a calm, familiar companion. They do well with respectful older children, but they are not fond of being squeezed or carried around like a toy, which the white fluffy look sometimes invites.

What stands out

Grooming

The coat is the Westie's signature and its biggest chore. Brush two to three times a week with a pin brush and metal comb, paying attention to the legs, beard and armpits. Twice a year, the outer coat can be hand-stripped, which means plucking the dead hair so a new harsh coat grows in.

Read the full grooming guide

Illustrative grooming schedule based on our editorial coat-care score. Adjust it to the individual coat and professional advice.

Brushing
4 to 5 times a week
Bathing
Every 3 to 6 weeks
Shedding
Light
Nail trim
Every 3 to 4 weeks

A great match for

owners who enjoy regular grooming
households with older children
cooler climates
people wanting a small but robust dog
walkers who like exploring on foot

Think twice if

itchy skin is common in the breed
digs enthusiastically in gardens
strong prey drive around small pets
barks at anything that moves outside

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a West Highland White Terrier eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	8 kg	440 kcal	120 g (1.3 cups)
Female, typical pet	8 kg	510 kcal	135 g (1.3 cups)
Male, typical pet	9 kg	560 kcal	150 g (1.5 cups)
Male, very active	9 kg	700 kcal	190 g (2 cups)

Full West Highland White Terrier feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the West Highland White Terrier

Feeding5 cups, in two meals. They are hearty eaters, and middle-aged Westies gain weight easily once their activity drops.Read more Puppy growthWestie puppies are compact and grow steadily, reaching adult height at about 9 to 10 months and adult weight by around a year. Coat changes come in stages: the soft puppy coat starts giving way to harsher adult hair from about 5 to 6 months, and a groomer can help it come through correctly.Read more ExerciseAbout 45 to 60 minutes a day of walking, sniffing and play keeps a Westie content. They enjoy exploring new routes, scent games, tug and short bursts of chase.Read more TrainingWesties are clever but independent, so the question is less 'can they learn' and more 'do they see the point'. Short sessions, high-value food rewards and a sense of fun work well.Read more HealthWesties are predisposed to allergic skin disease, a lung condition that causes gradual scarring in older dogs, a jaw bone disorder in puppies, loose kneecaps, dry eye and a hip condition affecting young small dogs. Responsible breeders select for healthy skin, have kneecaps and eyes checked, and are open about any family history of lung disease.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Males stand about 28 cm (11 in) and females about 25 cm (10 in) at the shoulder.
2Legend says the Malcolm family of Poltalloch bred white terriers after a reddish dog was mistaken for a fox and shot.
3A correct Westie coat is harsh to the touch, and hand-stripping keeps it that way.
4The breed's carrot-shaped tail was meant to be strong enough to pull a dog out of a burrow.
5Westies are prone to skin allergies more often than many other terriers.

West Highland White Terrier questions

Why is my Westie always scratching?

The breed is known for skin allergies, which can be triggered by pollen, dust mites or certain food ingredients, and they often show as itchy paws, ears and belly. Scratching can also come from fleas or infections. Because the causes overlap, a vet examination is the right first step if itching lasts more than a few days.

Should I hand-strip or clip my Westie?

Hand-stripping keeps the coat harsh, weatherproof and bright white, and it is required for showing. Clipping is quicker and painless, and it suits most pet dogs, but the coat becomes softer and slightly more prone to matting and staining. Some owners combine both, stripping the back and clipping legs and face.

How do I keep a Westie's face white?

Wipe the muzzle and eye area after meals and walks, dry the beard thoroughly, and keep facial hair trimmed short around the eyes. Stainless steel bowls and filtered water can reduce rusty staining. A whitening dog shampoo used occasionally helps, but constant brown tear marks deserve a check for eye irritation.

Are Westies good for apartments?

Many live well in apartments if they get daily walks and some play. The main challenge is barking: Westies react to hallway noises and neighbors. Training a quiet cue and giving them a chew or puzzle toy when you leave usually solves this. Their small size and moderate exercise needs otherwise suit city life.

Do Westies get along with other dogs?

Many do, particularly when they meet plenty of calm dogs during the first 16 weeks of life. Westies can be bossy, though, and some will not back down from a larger dog that challenges them. Same-sex pairs occasionally squabble as they mature. A relaxed, sociable companion dog and supervised play sessions usually work best.

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