Penelope Ruggles-Smythe - West Highland White Terrier

Physical Characteristics of the West Highland White Terrier

(from the American Kennel Club standard)

Head: Shaped to present a round appearance from the front. Should be in proportion to the body.

Eyes: Widely set apart, medium in size, almond shaped, dark brown in color, deep set, sharp and intelligent.

Ears: Small, carried tightly erect, set wide apart, on the top outer edge of the skull. They terminate in a sharp point, and must never be cropped.

Neck: Muscular and well set on sloping shoulders.

Skull: Broad, slightly longer than the muzzle, not flat on top but slightly domed between the ears. It gradually tapers to the eyes. There is a defined stop.

Muzzle: Blunt, slightly shorter than the skull, powerful and gradually tapering to the nose, which is large and black.

Forequarters: Shoulder blades are well laid back and well knit at the backbone. Forelegs are muscular and well boned, relatively short. The legs are reasonably straight, and thickly covered with short hard hair. Forefeet are larger than the hind ones, are round, proportionate in size.

Body: Compact and of good substance. Chest very deep and extending to the elbows, with breadth in proportion to the size of the dog. Loin short, broad and strong.

TaIl: Relatively short, with good substance, and shaped like a carrot. It is covered with hard hair without feather, as straight as possible, carried gaily.

Coat: Must be double-coated. The outer coat consists of straight hard white hair, about 2 inches long, with shorter coat on neck and shoulders. The ideal coat is hard, straight and white.

Hindquarters: Thighs are very muscular, well angulated, not set wide apart, with hocks well bent, short, and parallel when viewed from the rear. Rear legs are muscular and relatively short and sinewy.

Color: The color is white, as defined by the breeds name.

Size: The ideal size is 11 inches at the withers for dogs and 10 inches for bitches.

Unearth the origins of Scotlands unique white terrier, meet the foundation breeders and dogs who are credited with the Westies widespread acceptance and trace the breeds popularity to the corners of the globe.

Discover the many traits that have endeared the Westie to owners everywhere: intelligence, courage and enthusiasm; adorable appearance; outgoing personality and perfect size. Is the Westie the right companion for you?

Learn the requirements of a well-bred West Highland White Terrier by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Be advised about choosing a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, typical puppy. Understand the responsibilities of ownership, including home preparation, acclimatization, the vet and prevention of common puppy problems.

Enter into a sensible discussion of dietary and feeding considerations, exercise, traveling and identification of your dog. This chapter discusses West Highland White Terrier care for all stages of development.

By Charlotte Schwartz

Be informed about the importance of training your West Highland White Terrier from the basics of house-training and understanding the development of a young dog to executing obedience commands (sit, stay, down, etc.).

Learn how to select a qualified veterinarian and care for your dog at all stages of life. Topics include vaccination scheduling, skin problems and dealing with external and internal parasites, eliminating them from your dog and his whole environment.

Consider the care of your senior West Highland White Terrier, including the proper diet for a senior. Recognize the signs of an aging dog, both behavioral and medical; implement a special-care program with your vet and become comfortable with making the final decisions and arrangements for your senior West Highland White Terrier.

Learn to recognize and handle behavioral problems that may arise with your West Highland White Terrier. Topics discussed include separation anxiety, aggression, barking, chewing, digging, begging, jumping up, etc.