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title: "West Highland White Terrier | Pedibase"
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+10
Dogs
# The West Highland White Terrier: temperament, price, health, and breeders
United Kingdom
Small white terrier, lively and mischievous, as endearing as it is energetic.
Size SmallLife expectancy 12–14 yearsBudget ≈ €85/monthPuppy €900 – €1,400
[Find a breeder 53](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=west-highland-white-terrier)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Very good
First-time owners Very good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Limited
Strengths and weaknesses
- Cheerful companion: He brings a lot of cheer to everyday life thanks to his lively, playful temperament and his closeness to his family.
- Practical size: His small, sturdy build makes life in the city as well as everyday travel easier.
- Good adaptability: He can live in an apartment or in a house if he benefits from walks and sufficient stimulation.
- Demanding coat maintenance: Its white coat requires frequent brushing and regular care to stay clean and well-structured.
- Terrier temperament: Its independence and tenacity require consistent training from the youngest age.
- Tendency to vocalize: It can bark easily when it is bored, excited, or notices something new.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active families: He enjoys family life and makes the most of a present household that loves walks and games.
- Apartment living with outings: His compact size is well suited to the city if his exercise needs are truly met.
- Owners looking for a small dynamic dog: He is suitable for people who want a lively companion rather than a purely calm and decorative dog.
Not recommended for
- People who are often absent: Lack of interaction and activity can encourage boredom and vocalizations.
- Households looking for a very obedient dog: Its independent terrier temperament does not meet expectations of constant submissiveness.
- Adopters with little time for grooming: Brushing and caring for the white coat require real consistency.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
27 cmWest Highland White Terrier
- Height at the withers
- 26–28 cm
- Weight
- 7–10 kg
- Coat
- Medium-long, harsh, double
- FCI group
- 3
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Grooming
- High-maintenance coat
## Photos and videos
See the West Highland White Terrier in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
Originally from the Western Highlands of Scotland, the West Highland White Terrier descends from the old Scottish terriers selected for hunting vermin. Its white coat is associated with Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch, who is said to have favored this color in order to better distinguish his dogs from the game during hunting parties. The first specimens were shown in exhibitions at the end of the 19th century, then the breed was recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1906 and definitively by the FCI in 1954.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The West Highland White Terrier is a small, sturdy, compact and well-built dog, with a proud carriage and an alert expression. Its head is slightly rounded, its dark eyes convey liveliness and its small erect ears reinforce its typical terrier look. Its coat is always white, with a harsh outer coat of about 5 cm and a soft, dense undercoat that form a protective double coat.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Cheerful, intrepid and full of energy, the West Highland White Terrier is an affectionate companion who loves his family very much while keeping a real independence of character. He retains the frank and mischievous temperament of terriers, with fine self-confidence, constant curiosity and a great desire to interact.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, the West Highland White Terrier is active, playful and always ready to go for a walk or take part in a stimulating activity. He adapts well to apartment living if his outings are regular, but he also appreciates a well-fenced garden. He can be quite vocal and retain a strong chasing instinct, which requires channeling his energy from an early age.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training must be early, consistent and positive. Intelligent but sometimes stubborn, he responds better to firm, calm and motivating handling than to a rough approach. Play, rewards and variety in exercises help maintain his attention and achieve good cooperation on a daily basis.
Budget
## Price and budget for the West Highland White Terrier
The purchase price of the West Highland White Terrier varies mainly depending on the quality of the breeding, registration with the LOF, the lineage, the breeder’s reputation and the health monitoring offered. Beyond the initial price, you must also anticipate coat maintenance and routine health expenses.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/west-highland-white-terrier/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The West Highland White Terrier is a small dog that is generally hardy, but certain breed sensitivities deserve regular attention, particularly regarding the skin, ears and respiratory system. Serious veterinary follow-up, good skin hygiene and monitoring of respiratory signs help preserve its quality of life.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/west-highland-white-terrier/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The West Highland White Terrier needs a complete, digestible diet adapted to its small size as well as to its activity level. The quality of the ration also plays an important role in the condition of the skin and coat, two sensitive points in the breed.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/west-highland-white-terrier/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
Nicknamed Westie, this small Scottish terrier has become one of the most recognizable white dogs in the world. Its compact silhouette and immaculate coat have largely contributed to its popularity as a companion dog, without making it lose its temperament of a rustic and determined terrier.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the West Highland White Terrier
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the West Highland White Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, it can live well in an apartment if it gets daily outings that are sufficiently long and supplemented with games or mental stimulation activities.
### Is the West Highland White Terrier easy to train?
It is intelligent and learns quickly, but its terrier temperament sometimes makes it stubborn. Consistent, positive training started early generally yields good results.
### Does the West Highland White Terrier shed a lot?
Its shedding remains fairly moderate, but its coat requires regular maintenance to stay clean, tangle-free, and well structured.
## Find a West Highland White Terrier breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most West Highland White Terrier breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[West Highland White Terrier breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine11](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/nouvelle-aquitaine) [West Highland White Terrier breeders in Hauts-de-France8](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/hauts-de-france) [West Highland White Terrier breeders in Centre-Val de Loire5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/centre-val-de-loire) [West Highland White Terrier breeders in Occitanie5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/occitanie) [West Highland White Terrier breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [West Highland White Terrier breeders in Brittany4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/brittany) [West Highland White Terrier breeders in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/bourgogne-franche-comte) [West Highland White Terrier breeders in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/provence-alpes-cote-dazur)
### West Highland White Terrier breeders by country
[140 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/germany) [53 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier) [46 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/italy) [22 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/united-kingdom) [20 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/austria) [17 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/denmark) [10 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/spain) [5 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/netherlands) [3 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/finland) [2 breeders of West Highland White Terrier in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier/croatia)
[All breeders of West Highland White Terrier in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier)
## Ready to welcome a West Highland White Terrier?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-west-highland-white-terrier)
## Compare West Highland White Terrier with other breeds
- [West Highland White Terrier vs. Cairn Terrier](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare/west-highland-white-terrier-vs-cairn-terrier)
## Discover other breeds
[Cairn Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/cairn-terrier)
[Dandie Dinmont Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/dandie-dinmont-terrier)
[Scottish Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/scottish-terrier)
[Skye Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/skye-terrier)
[Bedlington Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bedlington-terrier)
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