The Westie, whose actual name is the West Highland White Terrier, is a beautiful and brilliantly friendly breed that is enjoyable in any home. These days, we end up seeing a number of Westies in homes across America, and it’s no wonder; the Westie offers quite a bit to its owner that many other breeds don’t. However, there are many responsibilities that come with owning a Westie, just as there are with owning any dog breed, or, in fact, any pet. Understanding the breed that you are choosing is important before you ever actually take that breed into your home.

Why a Westie?

The Westie has a very distinctly Terrier-like appearance, with a shaggy, soft, dense, thick undercoat and a rough outer coat, a small curved tail, small pointy ears, and a small snout. They’re just downright adorable, and if you like the terrier look, then you’ll like how the Westie looks.

Westies tend to vary in the personalities; of the breeds you can choose, theirs varies the most, ranging from shy to friendly, from aggressive to passive. Some prefer to be alone, while others are very much social animals. One thing to note is that the Westie is not interesting in rough-housing or horsing around; they don’t like to have their ears pulled, and are possessive of their toys and foods. Thus, if you have small children in your home and family, then it is probably best to not have a Westie in your home; otherwise, you could end up with a dog who is often angry or upset with your children, and that’s definitely not ideal!

What a Westie Needs

The Westie does offer quite a bit as a companion and member of your family, however. They are very independent and confident, which means that you don’t have to constantly pay attention to the Westie; they are very comparable to cats in that regard. They are very loyal, however, and can create a strong bond with their owner, leading to a companion who will always be at your side because they want to be.

The Westie likes to stay on the move, and will require a lot of exercise from you. They are small and energetic, after all, and will need to always have a way to get their exercise in! You’ll also need to devote some time to their training; as an independent and stubborn breed, they will often be a bit difficult to teach, and even then, you will have to refresh their training every few years to ensure that they remain sharp and obedient.