Advertise on podcast: West Highland White Terrier.

AKC Logo American Kennel Club Founded 1884 SEARCH SIGN IN MENU BREEDS A-Z EXPERT ADVICE PRODUCTS & SERVICES SPORTS & EVENTS CLUBS & DELEGATES Event Search Find a Puppy Register Your Dog Shop AKC TV Search BACK TO DOG BREEDS West Highland White Terrier OVERVIEW PUPPIES BREED STANDARD Temperament: Loyal, Happy, Entertaining AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 42 of 197 Height: 11 inches (male). 10 inches, female Weight: 15-20 pounds Life Expectancy: 13-15 years Group: Terrier Group West Highland White Terrier coat detail. ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier laying down in the grass. Wavetop/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Best of Breed: GCHG CH Lotrando Sunshine Celebration, West Highland White Terrier; Terrier Group judging at the 2016 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, FL. David Woo ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier standing facing left. ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier head facing forward. ©Gordey - stock.adobe.com West Highland White Terrier standing facing forward. ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier sitting on a white background. ©Gordey - stock.adobe.com West Highland White Terrier head facing left. ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier running on a path through a garden. Trinity Studio/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images West Highland White Terrier head facing forward with tongue out ©Gordey - stock.adobe.com West Highland White Terrier coat detail. ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier laying down in the grass. Wavetop/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Best of Breed: GCHG CH Lotrando Sunshine Celebration, West Highland White Terrier; Terrier Group judging at the 2016 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, FL. David Woo ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier standing facing left. ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier head facing forward. ©Gordey - stock.adobe.com West Highland White Terrier standing facing forward. ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier sitting on a white background. ©Gordey - stock.adobe.com West Highland White Terrier head facing left. ©American Kennel Club West Highland White Terrier running on a path through a garden. Trinity Studio/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images West Highland White Terrier head facing forward with tongue out ©Gordey - stock.adobe.com West Highland White Terrier coat detail. ©American Kennel Club 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Smart, confident, and always entertaining at play, the adorable West Highland White Terrier (Westie, for short) has charmed owners for over 300 years. This diminutive but sturdy earthdog is among the most popular of the small terriers. About the West Highland White Terrier Standing 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder, with dark piercing eyes, compact body, and a carrot-shaped tail wagging with delight, the Westie’s looks are irresistible. Beneath the plush-toy exterior, though, is a true working terrier of gameness and courage. Bred to hunt rats and other underground rodents, Westies are surprisingly strong and tough. The all-white double coat is hard to the touch, not soft and fluffy. Alert and active, Westies exhibit traits of a plucky and self-reliant ratting terrier: They require no pampering, they will chase after anything that moves, and their independence can make training a challenge. But, thanks to their faithfulness and keen intelligence, Westies will train nicely with time and patience.