West Highland White Terrier Puppy Training Manual

Breed profile

Training group

Terriers

Origin

The West Highland White Terrier originated in Scotland as a terrier that worked independently above and below ground in pursuit of small animals.

Shoulder height

Approximately 28 cm

Weight

Approximately 6–10 kg

Coat

White harsh outer coat with a soft undercoat

Coat care

Plan several short cooperative brushing sessions each week and set the professional grooming interval around the individual coat and a qualified groomer's advice. Some individuals may have skin sensitivity; do not imply that a white coat causes it. Do not force grooming through persistent discomfort, redness or a sudden behaviour change; consult a veterinarian rather than diagnosing the cause at home.

Drive keywords

Small-animal pursuit · Digging · Persistence · Alert vocalising

Handling practice

Schedule several short cooperative brushing sessions each week, introducing the brush, comb, coat separation and grooming surface one easy step at a time. Set professional grooming frequency from the individual coat and a qualified groomer's advice. · Check paws, toe spaces, coat and skin comfort after digging or outdoor work. Persistent discomfort, redness or sudden handling avoidance should be assessed by a veterinarian; do not diagnose or force the grooming task at home.

General reference range only; individual dogs vary considerably.