Terrier West Highland White: character, description and reviews of dog breeders (photo)

If you are looking for a cheerful, small, inquisitive and very intelligent dog, then the terrier West Highland White is what you need. To date, this breed of pet is very popular. No wonder - a sweet little face, funny and playful character, hardly anyone will remain indifferent. Many do not even mean that in fact this dog is a beautiful underground hunter.

Where did West Highland White Terrier come from?

Unfortunately, no one can call with certainty the exact historical period of the appearance of this breed. It is only known that the first serious mention of it dates back to the Middle Ages. Breeded this breed was in Scotland, the most likely ancestor of a white terrier is Scotch Terrier.

Originally they were working hunting dogs, the catch of which became small rodents and nerds. With its tiny size, West Highland White Terrier is not only characterized by vigor and courage, but also with strength and endurance. The hunt was as follows: the dog had to detect the burrow of the animal and drive it out. In some cases, the White Terriers extracted from the shelters already dead prey that they had got in a difficult battle under the ground. In the household, these cute creatures helped their owners get rid of rodents.

From afar the noticeable white color of the terrier was not invented at all by accident. In nature there are no wild animals with such hair, thanks to this the hunter is unlikely to confuse him, say, with a fox or badger.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the White Terrier received the official and unchanged name and standard of the breed to date. Only now in the modern world it is rarely used as an assistant in hunting. Over time, the West has become a popular and indispensable friend of many families around the world.

General description of the dog

Terrier West Highland White is a one-of-a-kind white terrier. He has a very attractive, even a little puppet appearance, for the softness and tenderness of which hide very hard-working, intelligent, intelligent and determined animals. If your pet is a West, then you must be an active person, otherwise it will just be boring. These are restless, very playful, clever and easily trained dogs that will demand your attention constantly.

White-terriers perfectly feel at home, they are obedient and friendly. They constantly accompany and protect their masters and become true friends for them.

Size and duration of life

These are very small and compact animals, the sizes of which are different between males and females. A female white-terrier can reach a weight of 7 kg and a growth in the withers of 28 cm, cables are larger - growth at the withers - 30 cm, weight - 10 kg. They have a disproportionate body (the head seems to be the same as the rest of the body), which makes them even more unusual.

The average life expectancy of the terriers is from 12 to 15 years, but only with the competent maintenance of the animal and constant care for it. With the news you need to spend a lot of time. Walking and playing these dogs are very fond of and should receive it daily. The shades of the coat color range from white to wheat.

A detailed description of the build

The West Highland White Terrier has this appearance:

• A compact but sturdy physique with a wide lumbar section, powerful thighs and a shoulder casing.
• Round head with intense hair. Narrowed blunt muzzle, massive superciliary arches.
• Strong jaws with the right bite.
• Black nose of the nose.
• Eyes not too prominent, dark in color, medium in size. The look of the news is clever and piercing. Eyes are light in color, but this is not very good.
• Small triangular ears sticking out with a light wool cover on the tips. It is undesirable to cut the wool on the ears of the terriers.
• Slightly elongated broad neck, sloping shoulders.
• Short and muscular forelegs with thick woolen covering. The front paws are more posterior, have a rounded shape, the fingers are tightly closed.
• Compact body of the body, smooth back.
• The hind legs, also short, have developed musculature. Small paws with black nails and pads.
• 15-centimeter straight tail with short hair. The tail is strictly forbidden.
• Wool is not very long with a thick undercoat, there should be no curls.
• Color is exceptionally white.
• The gait is free, light and straight.

There are some differences in appearance, but all of them are undesirable.

Character

The dog West Highland White Terrier is quite calm, but at the same time mischievous and playful with his master. For all its intelligence, a set of good manners and endurance, pets are ready to fight for their loved ones and protect them from all sorts of misfortunes, engaging in serious battles with animals of even larger sizes. Terriers fight to the finish.

Small, but very courageous, they are perfectly capable of training, they learn everything very easily and quickly. They require a lot of attention and education, they are rarely obstinate.

Vigorous and active, they have a good "smell". They anticipate the danger and do not leave the arrival of guests unnoticed. They like to be in the center of attention, they are sociable, although their master is inclined to be jealous of other domestic pets. They love children, treat them carefully and carefully. Do not tolerate, when they are ignored, do not tolerate a rude attitude towards themselves.

What diseases are inclined terrier West Highland White

To say that the Westies are painful dogs is difficult. However, like any other breed, they have some predispositions to such diseases as:

• Allergy and dermatitis;
• Pulmonary fibrosis;
• Atopy;
• Problems with the femur (often necrosis or joint dysplasia);
• Eye diseases (including cataract and conjunctivitis);
• Cardiomyopathy, osteopathy;
• deafness.

In some cases, congenital meningoencephalitis can occur, a disease to which white dogs are particularly prone.

Proper Care and Maintenance

Care for such a wonderful pet should be carefully from an early age. Puppy West Highland White Terrier should be combed twice a week, and every year, without fail, he must undergo a trimming or trimming procedure.

On the muzzle the coat grows quite actively, therefore it must be plucked (near the eyes and ears). To maintain hygiene, it is good to rid the genitals of excess hair.

This dog should be regularly bathed (at least 1 time per month, depending on the weather conditions) due to the fact that the hair is quickly soiled and soiled. And, of course, training! This is an indispensable moment of growing up an animal, and the owner must unconditionally occupy a higher position, he is the chief, and the dog must understand this from an early age.

Activities of the National Club of Breed (NPC)

Such an organization began its existence in Russia in 1999. Then the NCP included 2 varieties of dogs: core-terriers and west-terriers. And already in 2004 there was a separate monopedigree club.

The NCP West Highland White Terrier arranges annual events for animals and their owners, dog shows are held in various cities of Russia. To get them can only be owners of these West Highlands, pets should fit the standard "breed West Highland White Terrier", have all kinds of documentary evidence of this and a good pedigree.

Also, the NPC sells puppies of white terriers. A lot of articles posted on the official site, and seminars held by the club, help owners of these beautiful creatures to answer a lot of their questions.

Reviews of dog breeders

Fans of news are a huge number all over the world. This dog is devoted to whole forums and blogs. Someone from the owners tells their stories from life, someone exhibits photos of their pets. People talk about the winds, that they are ideal dogs, which you can not help falling in love with.

Dogs of the West Highland White Terrier, whose photos we bring to your attention, are truly a real find for many families. When choosing such a pet, you will never regret it!

And how wonderful west-highland-white terrier! Photos of small puppies are especially charming. They are beautiful, fluffy, tender, fervent ...

If you decide to buy for yourself vesta, first find out about him everything that is possible, and then decide, first having weighed everything. Love your pet, take care of it and take care! Such friends are the closest and real!