Westies - aren’t they adorable?
Some dogs are just too cute for words!!! I think the West Highland White Terriers, also known as Westies are really one of the most adorable dogs around. But there is a lot more to this dog than just their visual persona. This dog was officially listed in 1907. It is said that Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of Scotland started the breeding of these white balls of fire. He did so, because on a particular hunting outing, one of his red terriers was killed because the dog was mistaken for a fox. At that point, Malcolm wanted to create a breed that would stand out and be easily identified. These dogs are a tough little breed and have a lifespan of between 12 - 16 years, so keep in mind when you bring your Westie home, he/she will most likely be with you for a good long while.
Now is this the dog for everyone. Those who know Westies well, say this might not necessarily be the breed for homes with small children. As cute as the Westie is, remember that it is a terrier and originally was used as a hunting dog. Westies have what is known as high “prey drive”, meaning that the original hunting instinct of the dog was to hunt down small prey and confine that prey to small dens until they had the prey caught in their jaws. The squeal of childrens’ voices resemble the sounds of prey trying to escape and heighten the “prey drive” Westie. Also, children running look like prey escaping and it is natural for the Westie to nip and chase the running child. This is not saying that you can’t have a Westie in your home with small children. It just means you have to understand the breed and train both the child and the dog to respect each other.
Again, as a terrier, they are known for their obstinate personality. But they are dogs that are easy to care for and are very protective and what they lack in size, they make up for in determination to keep their “pack” safe.
From much of the literature I have read, deciding on a Westie as a pet should be a careful choice and significant time should be spent finding just the right one. However, that being said, once the “right one” is found, this sweet looking, determined ball of white fur will bring you joy, love, entertainment and long lasting companionship.
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