Ten things you need to know about the West Highland terrier before you buy one

The West Highland terrier is a small and fairly lively dog breed from the Kennel Club’s terrier grouping, and one that is quite versatile in terms of the different types of homes and owners it may suit.

They’re also one of the more popular small dog breeds in the UK too, which reflects their versatility and broad appeal, and their small size makes them viable for consideration as pets by many dog lovers who might not be able to accommodate a larger dog at all.

Every year, thousands of people start researching West Highland terrier ownership with a view to picking one as their next pet, and if you are among their number, it is important to take your time and learn everything you need to know, and ensure that you don’t rush into a purchase.

With this in mind, this article will tell you ten things you need to know about the West Highland terrier dog breed, before you go out and buy a Westie of your own. Read on to learn more.

The West Highland terrier is small and versatile

As a small and compact dog breed, the West Highland terrier has an advantage over many breeds in that they can live quite happily in even smaller homes. They do benefit from having at least a small garden, but even if you live in an apartment without a garden of your own, the Westie might be a viable choice of pet if you can provide them with an appropriate amount of exercise and an outdoor space to do their business in.

They have a strong prey drive

Like all dogs of the terrier type, West Highland terriers have a strong prey drive, and a natural and innate tendency to chase small wildlife like rabbits. They may also chase domestic cats and so they need to be kept on a lead in urban areas, and only permitted to run freely in enclosed spaces or dedicated dog parks.

West Highland terriers are relatively economical to keep

The Westie’s small size makes them relatively economical to keep, as they need small accessories and of course, don’t eat huge amounts of food!

In terms of the average purchase price for dogs of the breed, this can vary considerably but according to our Pets4Homes statistics, pedigree dogs of the breed tend to change hands for around £785 each, whilst non-pedigree prices average around £559 each.

The breed can usually learn all of the essential training commands

West Highland terriers are not ranked among the smartest of all dog breeds, and their attention spans can be somewhat short! They fall in 88th place out of 138 different dog breeds on the Coren ranking of canine intelligence by breed, and can usually learn and execute all of the basic and essential training commands that dogs need to know, but are rarely capable of retaining a huge number of different commands.

…But they can be somewhat challenging to housetrain

The West Highland terrier breed as a whole is one that many owners feel takes longer than the norm to housetrain, and you’re unlikely to find that your pup has already been housetrained at the point that you bring them home from their breeder.

A calm, and vitally, consistent approach is required to house train a Westie successfully, as well as empathy and patience.

West highland terriers need a moderate amount of exercise

Terriers as a whole tend to be quite lively and fun-loving dogs, and no dog will thrive with insufficient exercise. However, the West highland terrier isn’t at the top of the list of breeds that need the longest walks, and generally two walks of half an hour or so per day that are lively and varied is sufficient for most dogs of the breed.

They’re generally one of the better terrier breeds for homes with children

Every dog is an individual and needs to be judged on its suitability for different types of homes accordingly; and special care needs to be taken when choosing a dog to share a home with children.

However, West Highland terriers as a rule tend to be one of the better dog breeds to choose for homes with kids, although they tend to get on better with older children, and proper training of both dog and child is essential!

Westies don’t like being left alone for too long

West Highland terriers aren’t generally overly keen of being left on their own at home without company for very long at a time, and the breed is one that is often said to suffer from separation anxiety. That said, a Westie that is properly trained and has gotten used to spending time alone from a young age, and that is provided with things to entertain themselves with and not expected to spend too long alone can generally be left for a couple of hours without incident.

The breed’s health has some challenges

The West Highland terrier breed is one that sometimes suffers from skin allergies, and there are a number of other breed-specific health issues too that any prospective owner needs to research before committing to a purchase.

No dog’s health can be guaranteed, but try to choose a breeder that undertakes the appropriate pre-breeding health screening on their parent stock, and that is knowledgeable about their dogs and the health of the breed as a whole.

West Highland terriers can be a good pick for first time dog owners

The West Highland terrier is a generally good middle of the road dog for a variety of different types of homes and owners, and they’re a breed that is widely considered to be less challenging than many other small terriers, and one that can be a good choice for the first-time dog owner.

However, as mentioned, plenty of research into every facet of the breed is vital to make an informed choice on a purchase, and there is no way to get past this or take shortcuts!