Bursting with spunk and a mighty determination- this is what the tiny West Highland White terrier is well known for and more. With a compact little body and a magnificently bright white fur, this dog is an undeniable charmer and a surprisingly energetic and agile little gamer. Also widely known as “Westie”, this little hairy pet 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 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 atrocious 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 animal 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.Having been breed from other Scottish terriers such as the Skye, Cairn, and Dandie Dinmont, the Westie of today is nothing but pure blooded terrier. In 1905, the first Highland terrier club was formed in the overseeing of Col. Malcolm. A year later, The Kennel Club cited the club as an official member and gave it the name The West Highland White Terrier Club; in 1908, the American version of the club was included in the AKC.Being a typical terrier, the Westie is fearlessly game, hardy, fairly sociable to new people, playful to children; energetic, 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.The Westie is cutely covered 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 fluff on top of its head; this brings out the round shape of the Westie which clearly 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 the creature receives today. Without the effort of the Malcolm family, this animal must not be of existence now and we would have never known a sweet, charming, and protective little dog called Westie.