Westie, a small but very confident dog

The West Highland White Terrier, often simply called Westie It is a small but very energetic dog, originally bred to hunt small game. Its main characteristic is that it is a small but very self-confident dog, a true bundle of strength combined with cunning and stubbornness. Another distinctive characteristic of the Westie is its harmonious body, decidedly small but very well-balanced, with a white coat, a double, hard, and not curly hair.

The breed developed in Scotland, in the western Highlands, between the 18th and 19th centuries. It is closely related to other Scottish terriers such as the Cairn Terrier and the Scottish Terrier, from which it descends. A key moment in the story is linked to the colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of PoltallochAccording to tradition, during a hunting trip, one of his fawn terriers was mistaken for a fox and killed by mistake, and from then on it was decided to select only white dogs, more visible on the ground. Thus this color became one of the distinctive traits of the breed.

The Westie has a small body (28 centimeters at the withers for males, slightly less for females), with a weight ranging from 6 to 9 kilograms. The body is compact and muscular, with a straight back and a well-developed chest. The legs are relatively short but strong, suitable for moving on rough terrain thanks in particular to the good musculature of the hindquarters. The coat is white in color, the game They are long, between 5 and 6 centimetres, with a thick, soft undercoat.

The eyes are set well apart, dark in color, and have very thick eyebrows: the expression is that of a lively, intelligent, and attentive dog. The ears are small, erect, with velvety fur, and pointed. The neck is muscular, gradually thickening until it blends harmoniously into the shoulders. The tail is approximately 12–15 centimeters long, thick at the base, covered with rough hair, and carried straight, without curling over the back.

Aside from safety, the Westie presents itself as a dog:

From its origins it has retained the hunter's instinct: it can chase small animals or react to rapid movements, a legacy of its past as a hunting dog.

The Westie's coat is one of the most delicate parts to manage:

• Brushing: 2–3 times a week to prevent knots and remove dead hair.
• Professional grooming: approximately every 6–10 weeks.
• Stripping (recommended): Instead of simple clipping, it serves to maintain the rough structure of the hair (typical of the breed) and to reduce skin problems.
• bathrooms: only when necessary (too frequent can dry out the skin).