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McGregor of Shadow Ridge
"Mac" (left)
William of Shadow
Ridge
"Willie" (right)
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A close relative of the
Cairn Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier or "Westie" is
part of the family of dogs who were once called the Scotland terriers.
Some breeders preferred the all white members of this family as they were
easiest to see when going to ground hunting fox and badger. Thus
throughout the various regions of Scotland there were white terriers each
with a different name that referred to the area where the dog was bred.

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The developer of the modern
Westie, Colonel E.S. Malcolm of Poltalloch,
first showed the Westie at a dog show under the name "Poltalloch
Terrier" . However in
the early 1900s, these dogs became known collectively as the West Highland
White Terrier.
The Westie stands up
to 11 inches tall at the shoulder. He has a straight, wiry, double coat
that is solid white in color. With his black button nose and bright dark
eyes, the Westie is an engaging little dog.
The Westie, though small, is a
tough little character with the spunky personality and outgoing nature common to
terriers. He is affectionate, playful, fun loving, and active. The Westie
loves the company of people, and is a wonderful playmate for children as
he can tolerate rough housing. Alert, bold, and loyal, he also makes an excellent watchdog.
As with most terriers, the Westie will
stand his ground against other dogs, and will benefit from early training
and socialization. Intelligent and assertive, early training will also help curb his instinct to
chase other household pets, particularly cats. His small size makes him a
good choice for almost any accommodation in both the city and the country.
He enjoys walks and play time and has a high activity level. The Westie's exercise needs
can be met with a daily walk. Make
sure your yard is fenced and escape-proof because this dog's a digger!
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