When choosing a kennel for a West Highland Terrier it is important that your dog will have enough room to move around comfortably inside. We suggest our medium dog kennel for a Westie. Please check the dimensions of both kennels to ensure you choose the correct sized kennel for your dog.
The West Highland White Terrier, commonly known as the Westie or Westy originates from Scotland where it was bred to hunt foxes, badger and vermin.
They are closely related to the Cairn Terrier. It is thought that in the 19th century Colonel Malcolm, a Scottish Laird, developed a new breed of white terrier when his pet Cairn Terrier was mistakenly taken for a fox and shot. He believed that a white dog had less chance of being mistaken for a fox and hence the West Highland Terrier was born.
Westie’s can live for up to 15 years, grow to a height of 11" and weight up to 22lbs.
Westie’s make a great family pet, for families with older children, and they love the company of humans. They are playful and loyal dogs and love to be included in family activities. Thus they need lots of dog toys and a good lead. With early socialization and training they are good with other family pets and dogs. As with all lively terrier’s, firm and consistent training is needed from the outset to establish who is in charge. They respond particularly well to reward based training.
West Highland Terrier coats do need regular brushing and it is recommended that you use a stiff bristle brush to prevent tangles. Grooming to strip the coat, possibly by a professional, is required 3-4 times a year. As Westie’s have lots of energy they love going for long walks, especially off the lead in the countryside where they can explore.