West Highland White Terrier: A Magnificent Breed Saved From Cruelty

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 wonderfully luminous white fur, this dog is an undeniable charmer and a surprisingly energetic and agile little gamer. Also widely known as “Westie”, this little fluffy creature has a wide following and is still counting.

A lot of dog owners favor the West Highland White terrier today but going back in time, it is but a pity and a shock to know that they weren’t so favored as they are today. In Scotland, where this breed first appeared, they were merely treated as invaluable, 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, allow perishing, and ultimately killing these poor terriers.

Thanks to the influence of a soft- hearted man of rank, however, that this dog was saved from harshness and was started to be recognized as one having unique abilities and useful strengths as a watchdog and vermin hunter. Col. Edward Donald Malcolm of Poltalloch, Scotland was the first man to give importance to this breed and so it was called the Poltalloch terrier then. Col. Malcolm developed several colored terriers but it is the white colored one that gained the most concentration for this typical color is the most useful in bushes and woods setting.

This creature is a relative of Scottish terriers Skye, Cairn, and Dandie Dinmont and inter-breeding 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.

Being a typical terrier, the Westie is unsurprisingly game, hardy, fairly trusting to new people, playful to children; active, self-assured, and feigns companionship. It’s common for this breed as well to be inclined in running, playing, and runningaround small animals such as cats; it is never to hurt other animals but that this terrier loves chasing them around but merely as a form of entertainment. If surrounded by other dogs, this breed will interact just fine for it is never touchy and antagonistic, but rather affable and possesses a high self-esteem.

Outwardly, this dog is covered with 2 inches length of hair that’s thick, soft, and pearly white in brilliance. It sturdily and robustly boasts its 10-12 inches of height and its hair that has a softer and thicker undercoat and courser and tougher overcoat. Maintenance for the hair minimally requires daily brushing and regular trimmings and clippings.

This dog is also tractable, is an innate showman within and is fairly intelligent; truth is, it wins a lot during obedience and dog show competitions. As per its health, just like any other animals, it requires daily walks in order to exercise its body fairly and to prevent them from learning unpleasant behaviors. Daily walks, however, are not enough for this dog needs an ample amount of playtime so as to enhance its physical and mental fitness.

The West Highland White terrier, despite its morbid and pitiful past, is overflowing 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 creature must not be of existence now and we would have never known a sweet, charming, and protective little dog called Westie.

Published on April 30, 2009 under Dog Breeds (Articles)
Tags: breed information, breeds, dog breed, Dog Breeds (Articles), Dog Grooming, Dog Training, Dogs, west highland white terrier breed, west highland white terrier grooming, west highland white terrier history, west highland white terrier information, west highland white terrier training

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