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Brimming with spunk and a mighty determination- this is what the tiny West Highland White terrier is popularly known for and more. With a compact little body and a magnificently luminous white fur, this dog is an undeniable charmer and a surprisingly energetic and agile little gamer. Also widely known as “Westie”, this little hairy pet has a wide following and is still counting.

With all the admiration and pampering that the Westie receives today, it is surprising to know that they are once disliked by many in Scotland for the reason that they are a meaningless and untidy little dogs of the poor peasants and workers. The persecution reaches to the point of abandonment, famish, and even killing of these innocent and lovable little terriers.

With the good spirits of the Malcolm family, however, the breed was saved, flourished, and in time gained recognition for its unique and favorable usefulness as vermin catcher. The Malcolms are an influential family and through this rank they managed to catch the interest of other people to look at Westies in a different and most loving way. Col. Edward Donald Malcolm, the main instigator of the change, formerly developed several colored terriers but it is the white colored one that made the most importance for it is utterly recognizable among other animals being hunted, the bushes, mountains, and rocks.

It is believed that the Westie of today branched out from other Scottish terriers such as the Skye, Cairn, and Dandie Dinmont. And with the endeavors of Col. Malcolm, this breed came to be and a club was formed in 1905, Col. Malcolm being its first chairman. In 1906, the club gained notice from The Kennel Club and was given the name The West Highland White Terrier club; by 1908, the breed was recognized as a part of the American Kennel Club in the US.

Being a terrier by blood, the Westie is naturally ready and game, toughie and unaware of its own size, fairly affable with strangers and adores children; lively, self-assured, and strives for companionship. It lives for playing, romping, and chasing kids; and other smaller animals for fun. In the presence of other smaller and larger dogs, the Westie is affable, harmonious, and confident and thus fights are not likely to be started by it.

In appearance, the West Highland White terrier looks adorably fluffy in 2 inches long of dense, soft, and brilliant coat. The hair atop its head is typically trimmed to show off its well- rounded head; daily brushing and regular trimming are necessary to bring out its best feature. They typically stand robust in 10- 12 inches of height and have a fur that is soft and dense under and rough at the outer.

As an addition to its already beautiful appearance, this dog is quite the showman, too, for it is tractable in training and obedience which makes him a winner at every dog show competition. In terms of health, this dog needs an amount of regular walks so as to avoid the development of unpleasant behaviors. Aside from that, this dog also needs a regular chance at playing, running around, and frolicking in order to keep his physical and mental health in check.

The Westie of today and the Westie of yesterday is by far distance apart in terms of social acceptance and treatment. As a proof, West Highland White Terrier clubs are founded and are being established still all over the world in honor of this excellent and charming little breed. If it wasn’t for the conviction of one person then, who knows but this pet would’ve ceased existing long ago and for that we must be thankful for we have the brilliant little Westie to be enjoyed today.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 2:14 am and is filed under Family. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.