West Highland White Terriers, affectionately known as "westies", are smart, playful, funny, adventurous and active. They have quite the personality and their small size and heartiness make them the perfect dogs for many different people. They are small enough to ride comfortably in the car or sleep on the rug or couch. They are built a little more substantially than some of their smaller cousins which makes them a good dog for children as they can take a little more roughhousing. Their physique also makes them a good choice for lots of outdoor activities. Their thick undercoat and wiry overcoat makes them comfortable outside in snow or heat. Their ruggedness makes them good hiking companions; their size makes it easy to take them anywhere. Wherever you want to go, they are able and willing to go:)
A Little Legend
The legend surrounding the West Highland White Terrier says that Colonel Edward Donald Malcom, of Poltalloch, Argyllshire, Scotland, raised terrier hunting dogs ranging in color from black to white, and red to cream. One day while on a hunting trip he accidentally shot one of his favorite hunting dogs mistaking it for a fox because of it's red color. From then on he bred only white terriers so they would be easily recognizable on the hunt. In 1907, the breed was offically listed in England as West Highland White Terriers because of their rugged character and the area of their development. Then in 1908 they were recognized by the AKC.