West Highland White Terrier: temperament, training and care

At a glance

Temperament

• Confident and cheerful
• True terrier: digs and chases
• Independent

Training tips

Keep recall practice fun and short: terriers switch off when bored.

West Highland White Terriers can be independent thinkers. Find what your dog will really work for, keep sessions short and fun, and expect to repeat things more often than with an eager-to-please breed.

Start with a marker word, sit, come and leave it. For a puppy, see the puppy training guides.

Exercise and energy

A healthy adult West Highland White Terrier typically needs around 45 to 60 minutes of activity a day. Walks alone rarely cover it: add sniffing games, training and play so their brain gets tired too. Puppies need much shorter sessions while they grow.

See how much exercise a dog needs and our games and enrichment ideas.

Health to watch

Things the breed is known to be prone to. Ask your vet what to check for your dog.

• Skin. Folds and allergies need care: keep folds clean and dry, and watch for itching. See: Allergic Reaction.
• Kneecaps. Kneecaps can slip: a skip or hop on a back leg is worth showing the vet. See: Broken Bone or Sprain.