West Highland White Terrier

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The West Highland White Terrier (above, Ch Charosmack Clog Dancer) is another terrier who has his origins in the West of Scotland; Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch in Argyll is credited with being the main force behind the West Highland White.  He selected only white puppies from terrier litters to develop this new breed.  At the same time George Clark who worked on the Duke of Argyll's estate at nearby Inverary was also developing a breed of white terriers, known as Roseneaths and the Pittenweems were being developed by Dr Flaxman in Fifeshire.  it is possible that these white terriers were bred together at some stage, but it was the Portalloch line that lies behind todays West Highland White Terriers.

He is an active and game little dog, measuring about 11" at the withers and quite strongly built, though not as heavily as the Scottish Terrier.  He has an independent air about him but is extremely friendly, an excellent  housepet who will have great fun playing with the family.

The coat needs some professional attention three or four times a year to keep him looking smart, but between times a brush will keep him looking trim.  Avoid the temptation to bathe the West Highalnd White - this will soften the coat which will make it lie flat and also remove the waterproofing oils so he will get wet very easily.  Unless you have a lot of red earth in your area a good brush when dry should clean him up and using chalk really brightens the coat, so long as it is thoroughly brushed out; leaving it in is damaging to the coat.

To read the West Highland White Terrier Breed Standard click here.

West Highland White Terrier Breed Clubs

• NORTH OF IRELAND WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER CLUB Mrs M Johnston 01662 841618
• SOUTHERN WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER CLUB Mr J Griffin 01562 777266
• WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER CLUB Mr McLean 01875 813909
• WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER CLUB OF ENGLAND Mrs Hooper 01963 440493
• WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER CLUB OF WALES Mrs S Hurst 01443 841743

West Highland White Terrier Rescue and Rehoming

Contact a Breed Club for advice. They should be able to give you information about Westies requiring homes and procedures for re-homing; if you are in the unfortunate position of having to re-home your own dog, please go through breed rescue. They will not be judgmental and are best able to find the right permanent home for him.

Westie Rehoming

Jacqueline Ferris-Woods   01793 790695

Westie Rescue Scheme

Sandra Fowler   Yorkshire & Derbyshire   01302 883335
Ted Hill    Yorkshire & Derbyshire   01302 725525
Sue Waterman    Hampshire & Dorset    01489 573759
Anna Flint     Surrey & Sussex    01323 763260
Dave & Jane Johnson   Derbyshire    01332 832180
Sue Steggall    Devon & Cornwall     01395 279212
Daphne Lee    Kent    01304 365573
Dorothy & Georgina Peacock   Somerset & Avon   01749 870370
Email 

West Highland White Terrier Breeders

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