Small breed
West Highland Terrier Puppies
The West Highland White Terrier- popularly known as Westie is an adorable small white-coated pooch that is extremely lovable and full of self-esteem. Discover more about our West Highland White Terrier puppies for sale below!
We do not have West Highland Terrier puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.
- Adult weight 13–20 lbs
- Height 10–12 in
- Lifespan 12–16 years
- Exercise 30 min a day
About the West Highland Terrier
The West Highland Terrier, affectionately known as the Westie, is a small but spirited breed with a rich heritage that traces back to the Scottish Highlands. These charming little dogs were originally bred to assist in hunting vermin, giving them a tenacious spirit and an endearing personality. With their bright eyes and fluffy white coats, Westies are as delightful to look at as they are to be around.
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Known for their friendly and playful temperament, Westies make excellent family pets, thriving in households with young children. Their affectionate nature means they quickly become beloved companions, eager to join the family in all its activities. While they can be a bit vocal, their barking mainly serves to alert you to visitors, making them good watchdogs in a loving way. They generally adapt well to different environments, including apartments, as long as they receive regular exercise.
These energetic little dogs enjoy playtime and walks, needing a good amount of daily activity to keep them happy and healthy. Grooming is an important part of your Westie’s care, with weekly brushing recommended to maintain their coat and manage shedding. While they require consistent training, their intelligence and eagerness to please make them fairly easy to train, especially if positive reinforcement methods are used.
If you’re in search of a lively companion who is affectionate and playful, the West Highland Terrier might be the perfect fit for your family. These dogs are ready to bring joy and love into your life, whether you’re playing in the yard or snuggling on the couch. Come meet our Westies at Petland Lake St. Louis & Fenton, MO, and discover if one of these delightful pups is the next addition to your family.
West Highland Terrier breed profile
Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.
Temperament
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Affection Very affectionate
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Playfulness Very playful
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With strangers Friendly
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Territorial Somewhat
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Prey drive Moderate
Family & other pets
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Young children Good
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Older children Good
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Other dogs Usually fine
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Cats With introductions
Energy & exercise
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Energy High
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Mental stimulation High
Training
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Trainability Willing learner
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Intelligence Bright
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Stubbornness A stubborn streak
Care & upkeep
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Shedding Moderate
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Drooling None to speak of
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Barking Vocal
Home life
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Apartment living Good
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Time alone A few hours
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Cold weather Average
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Warm weather Average
A good match for
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First-time owners Good first dog
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Senior owners Good
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Running partner Short distances
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Hiking Short walks
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Therapy work Possible
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Guarding Low
Living with a West Highland Terrier
History
Dating back over 300 years ago, the West Highland White Terrier was bred to hunt and eradicate rodents which were damaging crops and infesting diseases in Scotland.
Temperament
The West Highland White Terrier is a confident, friendly and lively canine. Almost always adored and amusing to be around, however, this breed doesn’t like to have its private space invaded. It doesn’t appreciate being overly smothered. The Westie loves being around people and other pets however it may show aggression towards smaller animals and other terrier breeds. This doesn’t mean the Westie is a trouble maker. On the contrary, this pooch gets along with almost everyone and fits right in as part of the family.
Environment
The Westie is moderately adaptable to the environment and climate. Owing to the past when these pooches were used as hunting dogs to prey on rodent-sized animals, they can be quite the wanderers so it goes without saying a fence imperative.
Exercise
The West Highland White Terrier is considered rather energetic, after all, centuries ago it was a hunting dog. However, these canines are quite independent can be found still being exploring and lively even without supervision with its owner. Nonetheless, it is important to stimulate the Westie with about a 30minute walk and play.
Grooming
The West Highland White Terrier has a double coat which requires brushing daily. Bathing should be done only when necessary to avoid the sparkling white coat to lose its color over time. It should be wiped frequently especially regions around the face, ears, and tail. Nail trimming should also be done weekly. For show dogs, a higher level of grooming is practiced which includes plucking dead hairs and trimming by a professional groomer, especially around the face to give it that round shape that show dogs have.
Our West Highland White Terrier puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.
The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering West Highland White Terrier puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.
Caring for a West Highland Terrier
- Grooming
- Weekly brushing
- Grooming cost
- Average
- Monthly food
- Average
- Outdoor space
- Manages without a yard
- Allergy friendly
- Often suits allergy sufferers
West Highland Terrier Video
Frequently Asked Questions
Are West Highland White Terriers good family dogs?
The West Highland White Terrier is a very social dog with friendly traits that are amiable. They do well with children as well as adults. They are also good with other pets, including cats. However, the Westie does not particularly do well with smaller animals as it was initially bred to hunt such in the past.
What is the lifespan of a West Highland White Terrier?
The West Highland White Terrier has a life expectancy of up to 13-15years.
How frequently do West Highland White Terriers shed?
This canine rarely sheds its tough coat or may never at all.
How hard is it to train a West Highland White Terrier?
The West Highland White Terrier is a confident dog and can often be difficult to train only when it’s gone about the wrong way. Training should start from a young age so that the Westie pup can grow into the routine. Also, reinforcement also works especially well when the pup shows desirable behavior. With the right routine and patience, a novice can successfully train a West Highland White Terrier.
Are West Highland White Terriers aggressive?
West Highland White Terriers are often aggressive when their personal space and possessions stop being private. This could include things like food, or toys, or even being overly smothered by admirers or children. Just like many many dominant dogs, the Westie can be aggressive towards other male dogs and smaller animals it perceives threatening to its territory.
What is the cost of a West Highland White Terrier puppy?
The price may be towards the higher side due to the availability of the pups and its condition as regards grooming. However it varies, contact us today to learn more about the availability and cost of West Highland White Terrier puppies.
How much exercise do West Highland White Terriers need?
The Westie does not need so much exercise unlike other breeds due to its adaptability, however, exercise is just as important to the physical and mental health of the dog. At least a 30-minute walk once or twice a day with its owner is required for proper development.
Does a West Highland White Terrier require much grooming?
West Highland White Terriers are not necessarily hard to groom (unless you are grooming a show dog, of which professional help would be required). However, they do need to be frequently brushed down and thoroughly wiped clean to avoid bacteria from gathering
Are West Highland White Terriers good guard dogs?
The Westie is very much conscious of the environment and alert and can, therefore, serve as a good watchdog. However, due to its small frame and being obviously less frightening the westie does not make for a good guard dog.
Male or female West Highland White Terrier?
Both male and female Westies have their pros and cons so it is really up to the owner.
The West Highland White Terrier is in no doubt one of the most favorite picks for dog lovers. A bundle of confidence, charm, and loyalty all wrapped up in a cute little package.
