Filled with spunk and a mighty determination- this is what the tiny West Highland White terrier is popularly known for and more. With a compact little body and a magnificently luminous white fur, this dog is an undeniable charmer and a surprisingly lively and agile little gamer. Also widely known as “Westie”, this little fluffy dog has a wide following and is still counting.

A lot of breeders favor the West Highland White terrier today but going back in time, it is but a pity and a shock to learn that they weren’t so favored as they are today. In Scotland, where this breed originated, they were merely treated as worthless, least productive and scruffy dogs of peasant and poor workers. These cruel and unjust assessments then widely prompted the people of that time to abandon, famish, and ultimately killing these poor terriers.

With the good spirits of the Malcolm family, however, the dog was saved, flourished, and in time gained recognition for its unique and favorable usefulness as vermin catcher. The Malcolms are an influential family and through this rank they managed to catch the interest of other people to look at Westies in a different and most loving way. Col. Edward Donald Malcolm, the main instigator of the change, formerly developed several colored terriers but it is the white colored one that made the most importance for it is utterly recognizable among other animals being hunted, the bushes, mountains, and rocks.

This pet is a kin of Scottish terriers Skye, Cairn, and Dandie Dinmont and breed- mixing made it the West Highland White terrier that it is today. The efforts of Col. Malcolm resulted in the conception of the first West Highland White terrier club in 1905 and in 1906, it was given official recognition by The Kennel Club in the UK and was given the name The West Highland Terrier Club. The West Highland White terrier was shown at that same time in the US and has been a part of the American Kennel Club (AKC) by 1908.

The Westie manifests a typical terrier disposition as it is fearlessly game, hardy despite its size, unwary of new people and children, lively, confident, and loves companionship. They also love playing and running around and has the tendency to run after cats and other smaller animals but this is just a form of entertainment for them. The Westie has no problem getting along with other dogs for it doesn’t typically pick a fight, isn’t pugnacious and is innately self-assured.

The Westie is charmingly draped by fluff but only 2 inches long of dense, soft, and brilliantly white hair. Generally, the breed stands 10-12 inches in height and they have soft and thick undercoat and course top coat. Grooming the Westie requires daily hair brushing and regular trimming especially its fur on top of its head; this brings out the round shape of the Westie which obviously adds to its cute and lovable appeal.

This dog has an apparent showmanship and intelligence and so it is very easy to train; in fact, it excels in obedience and appearance competitions. Health-wise, this dog is best allowed some daily walks so as to exercise them physically and to avoid the on-set of negative behaviors in them. More over, it is very important to allow them to have an ample amount of play time so as to develop a fit physical and mental health.

The West Highland White terrier, despite its morbid and pitiful past, is streaming with praises and spoiling nowadays. Clubs for this breed are popping out in almost every city in all parts of the world and this additionally proves the adoration it receives today. Without the effort of the Malcolm family, this dog must not be of existence now and we would have never known a sweet, charming, and protective little dog called Westie.