The White Terrier West Highland is an exuberant pet, gifted with the grace typical of terriers and a bit of defiance. It is a small, active and fearless dog whose trademark is snow-white fur. He is a popular family dog and a well-known "face" of many advertising campaigns. What makes this breed so special?
The West Highland White Terrier is one of the dog breeds belonging to the terrier group, classified in the section of short-legged terriers (FCI: group III, section 2, standard number 85). It is a small, fast and agile dog. It is native to the highlands of Scotland and is not subject to working trial. An adult dog weighs 7-10 kg, and a female dog weighs 6-7 kg. Height at the withers of males: 25–30 cm, females: 23–28 cm.
Despite its snow-white color, the Scottish Terrier is not an albino. It should have a dark pigment around the eyes, mouth and nose. It has erect ears and a vertical, medium-length tail.
Here are the suggested sizes for adult dogs of this breed. They were selected on the basis of many years of experience in sewing accessories and the most common choices of other dog owners of this breed. Remember, only measuring will give you 100% certainty - every dog is different.
The life span of a Scottish White Terrier is between 12 and 16 years.
The West Highland White Terrier was bred in the highlands of Scotland as a working dog and used to control a variety of pests (e.g. rats) in mines, barns, and on farmers' farms. He also accompanied hunters during the hunting of foxes and rabbits, scaring the game out of their burrows. The dog of this breed is very closely related to other terriers such as the Cairns and Skyes.
The West Highland White Terrier is immediately recognizable by its thick, white coat. Its coat consists of about 4-5 cm long, hard, straight hair, under which there is a soft, dense undercoat to keep the dog's body warm. The Scottish Terrier needs regular clipping and brushing to keep its white coat clean and bright. For hair care, it is worth using a special furminator and a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo.
The characteristic snow-white fur of the Scottish Terrier helped it remain visible during hunting. But not always this breed of dog had such a bright coat. When Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm was hunting in Scotland with a group of terriers in the XNUMXth century, he accidentally shot his favorite dog, mistaking it for a rabbit or a fox. Upset at this loss, he swore that he would only hunt with white dogs that could be easily seen in the thicket. For years, breeders have been striving to select the Scottish terrier with the lightest coat.
The representative of this breed is a great companion dog. He is very loyal, he quickly becomes attached to the guardian. He likes to be in the spotlight, loves new challenges and is always ready to play. She does not take solitude well. If left alone for hours at home, it may have a destructive tendency.
During the hunt, in order to scare the game, the Scottish Terrier often has to squeeze through several narrow underground crevices, in pursuit of rodents, moles and foxes. A special bullet-shaped body helps him in this task.
The West Highland White Terrier has the basic characteristics of a terrier, although unlike most terriers, it is less barky and quick-tempered. He loves new challenges and is always ready to have fun. Learns new tricks with enthusiasm. He is brave, friendly, cheerful. He can be independent and stubborn. He has a strong hunting instinct. He needs a large dose of physical activity, daily walks and games.
The Scottish Terrier is quick to announce anything he thinks is wrong, including the arrival of guests. After a while, however, she greets them with cheerful tail wagging. Can be overbearing with other dogs of the same sex. With early socialization, he gets along well with children, and other dogs and cats are no problem.
The great popularity of the white Scottish terrier and its mass breeding contributed to the appearance of health problems in this breed of dog. Once a very resistant quad, it is now prone to skin allergies, problems with the patella and deformation of the lower jaw. A young West Highland white terrier (up to three months old) may also have a so-called Krabbe's disease, which creates serious neurological problems. A dog affected by this disease usually lives for several months. Fortunately, thanks to DNA testing, breeders can now successfully combat this disease.
Raising a White Scottish Terrier can be a challenge for an inexperienced owner. Despite its small size, a representative of this breed is generally very confident and dreams of taking the lead. The pet's innate stubbornness and independence require consistency, patience and a friendly approach. It is worth investing in early training so that a rogue and rowdy does not arise.
The breed has gained particular popularity thanks to cute TV commercials and movie heroes. In the cinema adaptations of comic books about the adventures of Asterix, the role of the dog Obelix was played by a shaven West Highland White Terrier named Idefix.
We can often observe dogs shaking, even when wearing cute sweaters and hats. Unfortunately, the low temperature is only one of the reasons why our furry friends tremble! Dogs generally shake for minor reasons, but sometimes their reaction can be a cry for help. In such situations, it is worth finding out the cause of the chills in order to properly take care of your pet's health and comfort.
Kangal is a symbol of strength, courage and pride. It is an elegant dog with an impressive appearance and a calm, balanced disposition. He is a keen observer, a faithful defender and a caring and tender friend.
The appearance of a dog at home is associated not only with joy and happiness, but also with responsibility for the health, safety, well-being and hygiene of your pet. If the dog - mother does not teach puppies where to take care of their needs, then it will be up to you to take care of upbringing and patiently learn to pee only outdoors.
