History
How the Westie came to be selectively bred for his white coat is an interesting legend. The short-legged terriers of Scotland are now recognized as the Scottish, Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and West Highland White Terriers. All undoubtedly descend from the same roots. All of these dogs were valued as intrepid hunters of small game. Originally, their coat colors ranged from black to red to cream or white. Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm, of Poltalloch, Argyllshire, Scotland, is generally credited with breeding the white dogs true, although he took none of the credit unto himself. He had kept a pack of light colored working terriers for hunting. As the legend goes, a reddish dog of his, emerging from cover, was mistakenly shot for a fox. Malcolm is said to have decided on the spot to breed only for white dogs that could be readily identified in the field.
The breed was listed officially as the West Highland White Terrier in 1907 at the Crufts dog show in England. The name was chosen for the rugged character of the dogs and the area of their development. The West Highland White Terrier Club of America was founded in 1909. It is a member club of the American Kennel Club. The Club’s annual meetings and specialty shows are held in conjunction with the Montgomery County Kennel Club Show at Ambler, Pennsylvania in October. In addition, the club holds a national Roving Specialty Show each year with one of the regional clubs acting as host.
Characteristics
All pigmentation should be black. The head should be slightly domed with a distinct stop. The teeth should be large for the size of the dog with a regular scissor bite. The eyes should be set well apart, medium-sized and as dark as possible. The ears should be small, erect and carried firmly with short and smooth hair. The neck should be muscular and sufficiently long merging into nicely sloping shoulders. The body should be compact with a level back. The front legs should be short, muscular and straight; the hind legs short, muscular and sinewy. The forefeet should be larger than the hind, round, strong and thickly padded and covered with short harsh hair. The hind feet should be smaller and thickly padded. The tail should be longish, as straight as possible with no feathering and carried jauntily. On no account should tails be docked.
Appearance
The Welsh Terrier is a sturdy, compact, rugged dog, about 15 inches at the withers and 20 pounds in working-condition weight with a thick, coarse, wiry coat. The legs, underbody and head are tan (ranging from light tan to dark reddish brown); the jacket is black or occasionally grizzle. The docked tail completes the image of a square dog, about as high as he is long. The movement is a typical trot of the long-legged terrier -- effortless, with good reach and drive.
The breed is friendly, outgoing to people and other dogs, showing spirit and courage. Intelligence and desire to please are evident in attitude. An ancient Welsh triad sets forth three things most distasteful to a true Cymro (Welshman): "to look with one eye; to listen with one ear; to defend with one hand." Surely the Welshie meets the test, for he is an intense dog who looks with both eyes, listens with both ears, and defends with great vigor.The Welsh is generally gay and even in disposition and afraid of nothing; he truly fulfills a traditional Welsh motto: Gwell Angau Na Cywilydd: "Better death than shame." His coat is double, with a wiry top layer and a woolly undercoat that must be hand-stripped, or plucked, for the show ring.
Character And Temperament
West Highlands are cheeky, confident and affectionate characters. They are alert and courageous, making them good guard dogs. They can also be cunning and stubborn but are totally loyal to their families. They make excellent playmates for children both indoors and outdoors because they can withstand rough play and get on reasonably well with others of their breed. However, they must be introduced to cats when they are young as they will chase them once they get older. Early social training is imperative if they have to live with other dogs as they can be rather dominant.
Grooming
Westies' coats are hard so they must not be bathed too often. When the dogs get dirty it is best to let the mud dry on them and brush it off when dry. The coat needs to be hand plucked two or three times a year by a professional groomer. A weekly groom is all that is needed to get rid of the loose hairs.
Care and Training
The West Highland White Terrier is easy to train and should have basic training. They needs regular brushing two to three times a week to help keep their white coat clean. Monthly bathing. Minimal trimming if they are just a pet. If you plan to show them, they will also need trimming, plucking and stripping of the coat.