West
Highland Terrier
History
Westies are descended from Cairn Terriers, who
occasionally whelped white puppies naturally, and
Scottish Terriers; who also occasionally produced
white offspring. White offspring from other British
Terriers such as the Bedlington Terrier were occasionally
introduced to the bloodline for desired characteristics,
but this practice generally stopped in the 1850s.
Originally, their coat colors ranged from black
to red to cream or white. Colonel Edward Donald
Malcolm, of Poltalloch, Argyllshire, Scotland,
is generally credited with breeding the white dogs
true, although he took none of the credit unto
himself. He had kept a pack of light colored working
terriers for hunting. As the legend goes, a reddish
dog of his, emerging from cover, was mistakenly
shot for a fox. Malcolm is said to have decided
on the spot to breed only for white dogs that could
be readily identified in the field.
Other sources credit the Duke
of
Argyll (Chieftan of Clan Campbell) as the originator
of the breed. It may have taken as long as a
hundred years of selective breeding to produce
all the
desired qualities. Their white coat made them
highly visible when hunting on the Scottish moors
and
easily distinguished them from their game. They
also possess keen intelligence and a sturdy frame.
Originally the breed was known as Poltalloch
Terriers, although they were also known as Roseneath
Terriers,
White Roseneath Terriers, and at the end of the
19th century, briefly as a white variety of the
Scottish Terrier.
The breed was listed officially as the West Highland
White Terrier in 1907 at the Crufts dog show in
England. The name was chosen for the rugged character
of the dogs and the area of their development.
The West Highland White Terrier
is easy to train and should have basic training.
They needs regular
brushing two to three times a week to help keep
their white coat clean. Monthly bathing. Minimal
trimming if they are just a pet.
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