photo credit: SeniorPeter

When researching a breed, a prospective owner should always learn of the breed’s temperament with children. So if you are checking out a small breed dog, you may want to look at a West Highland White Terrier–more commonly known as Westies.

Westies are a beautiful small dog, with a white shiny coat, a button nose and bright eyes. West Highland White Terriers were initially bred to hunt small vermin, and have high energy levels. These are not quiet little lap dogs–they want to be in on all the action. Westies love human companionship and love to play with their family. Westies are friendly, active and are high energy and they get along with strangers and children. This is a spunky breed, and therefore can take the rough and tumble play with children that other small breeds can not handle. Children can quickly learn the responsibility of caring for a Westie by brushing his coat weekly. The double layered coat of a Westie is not oily, so Westies don’t get saddled with that “dog smell,” all the more hygenic for kids.

A West Highland White Terrier is an intelligent dog who is easy to train and learns quickly. Due to their size, Westies make great apartment dogs, but are just as comfortable in the country as they are in the city. Even though they are small, Westies make great watchdogs, which is very comforting. All of these traits make the West Highland White Terrier one of the most popular breeds today.

Specific traits are:

• Temperament: High self-esteem, energetic, spunky and fun loving.

• Training: Westies are very bright and are easily trained. They require confident, firm and consistent leadership, but are happy to submit to their master.

• Grooming: Their double white coat (long outer coat and short, soft undercoat) sheds minimally and requires regular brushing. Westies have little dander and may be an acceptable dog for children with allergies or asthma.

• Exercise: These little dogs require a daily walk and enjoy a spirited game of fetch indoors if weather doesn’t permit a walk. Westies that are not exercised properly and consistently can become bored and destructive, as is the case with most dogs.

• Health: Westies are a normally healthy breed, though they can be susceptible to skin problems.

A West Highland White Terrier is not only a great companion, but will quickly become a member of your family. You and your children are sure to enjoy and cherish the memories and laughs that come with owning a Westie.