West Highland White Terrier

Temperament & personality

A Westie is bold, busy and sure of itself. This is a dog that will trot up to strangers with its tail going, investigate every corner of the garden and bark to let you know something is happening. That confidence is one of the breed's great charms, but it also means a Westie rarely backs down and can be surprisingly stubborn when it decides it knows best.

With people, most Westies are warm and sociable. They do well with older children who understand how to handle a small dog with respect, and they enjoy being part of family life rather than left alone for long stretches. Younger toddlers can be a mismatch simply because a Westie will not tolerate rough handling and will speak up about it.

The terrier instincts are real. A Westie may chase cats, squirrels or next door's rabbits, and it can be scrappy with other dogs if not socialized early. Digging is normal, barking is normal, and a bored Westie will find its own entertainment. Early, patient training and daily mental stimulation keep that clever brain pointed in a useful direction.

Underneath the independence is an affectionate dog that genuinely wants your company. Give a Westie clear rules, a job to do and plenty of interaction, and you get a spirited, loyal companion that fits happily into a flat or a house with a garden.

Vaccination schedule

Westie puppies follow the same core vaccination plan as any dog. The primary course usually starts at 6 to 8 weeks with a combined DHPP vaccine, which protects against distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), parvovirus and parainfluenza. A second dose follows at 10 to 12 weeks and often a third at 14 to 16 weeks, because maternal antibodies can block an early vaccine from taking full effect.

Rabies vaccination is given from 12 weeks of age. In the UK it is not legally required for dogs staying at home, but it is mandatory for pet travel under an Animal Health Certificate, so plan ahead if you intend to take your Westie abroad.

After the puppy course, a booster is given at around 12 months, then core vaccines are typically boosted every one to three years depending on the specific product and your vet's protocol. Leptospirosis is now considered a core vaccine and is recommended for every dog, with a 2-dose puppy series followed by an annual booster, unlike the DHPP core vaccines that are often boosted every three years. Non-core options such as kennel cough (Bordetella), Lyme and canine influenza are recommended for many dogs based on lifestyle. Water, rural and wildlife exposure raise the risk further and are part of why the yearly leptospirosis booster matters, so confirm the plan with your vet.

Keep your Westie's vaccination record up to date and set a reminder on your phone before each booster falls due, and always let your vet know if your dog has had a previous vaccine reaction so the schedule can be adjusted.

Best food & diet

A Westie does well on a complete, balanced food formulated for small breeds. The kibble size suits their small mouths, and the calorie density matches a dog of 7 to 10 kg. Choose a food appropriate to life stage, so a growth formula for puppies and an adult maintenance diet once they finish growing at around 9 to 12 months.

Portion control matters more than many owners expect. Westies are not large dogs, so it takes very little overfeeding to tip them into being overweight, and extra weight puts strain on the same knees and hips already prone to patellar luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease in this breed. Weigh the food rather than guessing by eye, and count treats as part of the daily total.

Because skin problems are so common in this breed, diet is worth thinking about carefully. Some itchy Westies improve on a diet with a named single protein source or a food supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, which support the skin barrier. If you suspect a food allergy, work through a proper vet-guided elimination diet rather than switching brands at random.

Fresh water should always be available. If you ever change your Westie's food, do it gradually over 7 to 10 days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old, which reduces the risk of digestive upset.

Common health problems

The condition that defines the breed for many vets is atopic dermatitis, the allergic skin disease so common here that people simply call it the Westie itch. Affected dogs react to environmental allergens such as pollens, dust mites and molds, leading to intense itching, red skin, ear infections and repeated flare-ups. It often shows up in the first few years of life and needs lifelong management.

On top of allergies, dogs with itchy skin sometimes run into Malassezia yeast skin infections. The yeast lives naturally on the skin but overgrows on inflamed, greasy or moist areas, turning the skin dark, thickened and musty-smelling that makes an already itchy dog far more uncomfortable. Yeast flare-ups frequently ride along with the underlying atopy.

Orthopaedic problems come up in the breed as well. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of its groove, can cause a skipping lameness in a back leg, so mention any hop or skip to your vet. Like many small terriers, young Westies can run into Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which affects the hip when the head of the femur loses its blood supply and degenerates, usually showing up as lameness and pain between 5 and 10 months of age. Craniomandibular osteopathy, sometimes called lion jaw, is an abnormal bony growth of the jaw seen in some puppies that causes pain, swelling and difficulty eating. It usually eases once the skull stops growing, but it needs prompt veterinary care to manage the pain while it runs its course.

Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is another concern, a serious progressive lung disease that can appear in middle-aged and older dogs. Signs include a gradual increase in breathing effort, exercise intolerance and a crackly cough. Any older Westie that tires easily or breathes harder than normal should be checked promptly, because early recognition helps with management.

Allergies & skin

If you own a Westie, skin care is likely to be the single biggest part of looking after your dog. Atopic dermatitis in this breed tends to be persistent, and the goal is control rather than a one-off cure. Signs to watch for are licking and chewing at the paws, rubbing the face, scratching the belly and armpits, recurrent ear infections and skin that turns red, thickened or dark over time.

Because the skin barrier is already compromised, secondary infections with bacteria and Malassezia yeast can develop and make the itching much worse. Medicated shampoos, regular bathing to physically remove allergens from the coat, and treating ear infections early all help break the cycle. Many Westies benefit from omega-3 supplements and moisturizing skin support alongside their main treatment.

Modern allergy management gives vets several tools. These range from targeted anti-itch medications and short courses of anti-inflammatories through to immunotherapy, where a dog is desensitised to the specific allergens identified on testing. Flea control is non-negotiable, because a single flea bite can set off a major flare in an allergic dog.

Keep a simple log of flare-ups, baths and any diet changes, since patterns often reveal seasonal triggers or a specific food that makes things worse. Sharing that record with your vet makes it far easier to fine-tune a long-term plan for your dog's skin.

Flea, tick & worm prevention

Year-round flea and tick prevention is especially important for a Westie because of the breed's allergic skin. Fleas are a leading trigger for flare-ups, and in an atopic dog even minimal exposure can undo weeks of careful management. Products come as spot-on liquids, tablets and collars, and your vet can recommend one that fits your dog's weight and lifestyle.

Ticks are a risk on Highland-style walks through long grass, woodland and moorland, and they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease. Check your Westie's skin after walks, particularly around the head, ears, neck and legs, and remove any tick promptly with a proper tick hook that lifts the whole mouthpart out cleanly.

Worming covers roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. Puppies need worming frequently, usually every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until six months old. Adult dogs are typically wormed every three months, though dogs that hunt, scavenge or live with young children may need more frequent treatment.

Lungworm deserves a separate mention in the UK, since it is spread through slugs and snails and can be fatal if untreated. Many monthly parasite products cover lungworm, so ask your vet to confirm your Westie's prevention plan protects against it, and note down every treatment date so nothing slips through.

Medications & dosing

Almost every medication a dog receives is dosed by body weight, which makes an accurate, current weight essential. For a small dog like a Westie the difference between 7 kg and 10 kg genuinely changes the dose, so weigh your dog rather than estimating, and reweigh before repeat prescriptions in case the number has drifted.

Never give human medicines without veterinary direction. Common painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol are toxic to dogs and can cause serious harm even in small amounts. If your Westie needs pain relief, your vet will prescribe a dog-specific anti-inflammatory at the correct weight-based dose.

Skin conditions in this breed are usually treated with a combination of medicines, for example an anti-itch drug plus an antibiotic or antifungal when there is a secondary infection, with the mix changed as flare-ups come and go. Always finish a full course of any antibiotic or antifungal even if the skin looks better, because stopping early lets infections rebound.

Keep an up-to-date written list of everything your Westie takes, including doses and timings. That record is invaluable in an emergency, helps avoid accidental double dosing, and lets any vet who sees your dog understand its full medication history at a glance.

Grooming & coat care

The Westie has a harsh double coat, a soft insulating undercoat beneath a coarse, weather-resistant outer coat. That texture is what kept the breed working in wet Scottish weather, and it is also why the coat needs more than a quick brush. The good news is that Westies shed very little, which suits owners who want a tidy home.

To keep the correct harsh texture, show and traditional grooming uses hand-stripping, where dead outer hairs are plucked out by hand or with a stripping knife every few months. Many pet owners choose clipping instead, which is quicker and gentler than the plucking of hand-stripping, something older dogs in particular tolerate better, but gradually softens the coat and can dull the crisp white color. Both are valid; it comes down to how much upkeep you want.

Brush your Westie two or three times a week to prevent mats, especially on the legs, belly and beard where debris collects. Bathing is more frequent in this breed than most because of skin management, and a vet may recommend specific medicated shampoos rather than standard dog washes.

Round out the routine with regular ear checks and cleaning given the breed's tendency to ear infections, nail trims every few weeks, and daily tooth brushing to protect the small, crowded mouth. Keeping the white face and beard clean also helps you spot tear staining or skin trouble early.

How the West Highland White Terrier compares

Deciding between similar breeds? Here is the West Highland White Terrier next to Dandie Dinmont Terrier and Norfolk Terrier.

Frequently asked questions