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At a glance
| Trait | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Great Britain [1]; developed in Argyllshire, Scotland [3] |
| Breed group | FCI group 3, section 2 (small-sized terriers) [1]; AKC Terrier Group [2] |
| Weight | Mean adult weight in UK practices 21 lb (9.6 kg): males 22 lb (10.1 kg), females 20 lb (9.0 kg) [3]; 15–20 lb (7–9 kg) according to the AKC [2] |
| Height | About 11 in (28 cm) [1] |
| Life expectancy | Median 13.4 years in UK primary care, with males living longer (13.8 years) than females (12.9 years) [3] |
| Coat | Double coat: harsh outer coat about 2 in (5 cm) long and a short, soft undercoat; white only [1] |
Origin
The Westie was developed from a white strain of Cairn Terrier bloodlines in the mid-19th century in Argyllshire, Scotland. It gradually moved towards a shorter body and a higher tail carriage than the Cairn, and the Kennel Club recognized it as a separate breed in 1907 [3].
The standard describes a small, strongly built terrier with a white double coat, and asks that the skin be free from obvious skin problems [1].
Common health problems
- Allergic skin disease: of 90 Westie puppies followed for three years, 52% developed atopic dermatitis, most of them (60%) in their first year; adverse food reactions were diagnosed in 24% [4]. In UK practices, skin disorders were the most common group (22.7% of Westies in a year), and otitis externa affected 10.6% [3].
- Lung fibrosis: canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive scarring of the lungs that is more prevalent in Westies than in other breeds [5]. In UK practices, lower respiratory tract disease caused 10.2% of Westie deaths [3].
- Copper and the liver: in 4,559 dogs whose liver biopsies were tested for copper, Westies were one of three breeds associated with abnormally high liver copper [8]. Among 17 Westies with clinical liver disease, 2 had copper toxicosis and 5 had idiopathic chronic active hepatitis [7]. See liver disease in dogs.
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency: an inherited red cell enzyme defect causing hemolytic anemia [9]. Affected dogs can live with their anemia for years, but the disease eventually causes bone sclerosis and iron overload [10].
- Diabetes and dry eye: in UK practices, 1.2% of Westies had diabetes and 2.0% had keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye), figures that support a breed predisposition [3]. In Norway, the Westie was among the ten breeds at highest risk of diabetes [11]. See diabetes in dogs.
- Globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease): a severe recessive nerve disease of Westies and Cairn Terriers caused by a mutation in the GALC gene, for which a genotype test was developed [12].
What is special in the Westie’s blood work
We found no breed-specific reference intervals for routine tests in Westies. Several of the breed’s diseases, however, have particular laboratory features.
An anemia that looks immune. Three Westies in Ireland and the UK with a markedly regenerative, persistent anemia were treated for presumed immune-mediated hemolytic anemia before a DNA test confirmed pyruvate kinase deficiency. The authors advise considering it in anemic Westies when no immune, infectious or toxic cause is found [10]. A DNA test distinguishes affected dogs from carriers [9]. See anemia in dogs.
Lung fibrosis markers. These are research tests, not part of a routine panel. Serum endothelin-1 was higher in dogs with pulmonary fibrosis (median 2.32 pg/mL) than in healthy Westies (1.56 pg/mL), and a cut-off of 1.8 pg/mL detected all affected dogs with a specificity of 81.2% [6]. Serum CCL2 was also higher in affected Westies than in healthy ones [5].
Liver copper. Copper is measured on a liver biopsy. In the biopsy series, the laboratory reference range was 120 to 400 ppm dry weight [8], and the inflammation typical of copper toxicosis in Westies was found only above 2,000 ppm [7]. Our guide to high liver enzymes explains ALT, ALP and the other liver values.
Fructosamine. The Norwegian study identified diabetic dogs by a fructosamine above 315 µmol/L; the Westie’s odds were 2.6 to 6.1 times those of the comparison groups [11].
Related articles
En français : Westie.
Questions to ask your veterinarian
- Is my Westie’s itching or ear disease allergic, and how should we confirm it?
- Does my dog’s cough or breathing need tests for pulmonary fibrosis?
- If my dog’s liver enzymes stay high, should liver copper be measured?
- If my dog is anemic, should it be tested for pyruvate kinase deficiency before treatment for IMHA?
- Should glucose or fructosamine be checked if my dog drinks more?
Get your Westie’s blood work explained.
AI DiagAnimals reads the blood count, liver enzymes, glucose and other results together with your laboratory’s intervals, and explains them in plain language. The service opens soon: leave your email to be told first.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Westies live?
In UK primary care, Westies had a median longevity of 13.4 years, with males living longer than females [3].
Do Westies have skin problems?
Yes. In a three-year study, 52% of Westie puppies developed atopic dermatitis [4], and skin disorders were the most common group in UK practices [3].
What is Westie lung disease?
Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive scarring of the lungs that is more common in Westies than in other breeds [5].
Sources
- FCI. Standard No. 85: West Highland White Terrier. 2026. fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/085g03-en.pdf
- American Kennel Club. West Highland White Terrier: dog breed information. akc.org/dog-breeds/west-highland-white-terrier
- O’Neill DG et al. West Highland White Terriers under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine Genet Epidemiol. 2019;6:7. doi.org/10.1186/s40575-019-0075-2
- Favrot C et al. Atopic dermatitis in West Highland white terriers - part I: natural history of atopic dermatitis in the first three years of life. Vet Dermatol. 2020;31(2):106-110. doi.org/10.1111/vde.12801
- Roels E et al. Assessment of CCL2 and CXCL8 chemokines in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue samples from dogs affected with canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Vet J. 2015;206(1):75-82. doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.06.001
- Krafft E et al. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid endothelin-1 concentrations as diagnostic biomarkers of canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. J Vet Intern Med. 2011;25(5):990-996. doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0766.x
- Thornburg LP et al. The relationship between hepatic copper content and morphologic changes in the liver of West Highland White Terriers. Vet Pathol. 1996;33(6):656-661. doi.org/10.1177/030098589603300604
- Ullal TV et al. Demographic and histopathologic features of dogs with abnormally high concentrations of hepatic copper. J Vet Intern Med. 2022;36(6):2016-2027. doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16580
- Skelly BJ et al. Identification of a 6 base pair insertion in West Highland White Terriers with erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency. Am J Vet Res. 1999;60(9):1169-1172. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10490091
- Juvet F et al. Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency in three West Highland white terriers in Ireland and the UK. Ir Vet J. 2013;66:12. doi.org/10.1186/2046-0481-66-12
- Ringstad NK et al. Breed distributions for diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism in Norwegian dogs. Canine Med Genet. 2022;9:9. doi.org/10.1186/s40575-022-00121-w
- Victoria T et al. Cloning of the canine GALC cDNA and identification of the mutation causing globoid cell leukodystrophy in West Highland White and Cairn terriers. Genomics. 1996;33(3):457-462. doi.org/10.1006/geno.1996.0220
Laboratory methods and reference intervals vary. This article explains; it does not diagnose. For a decision about your pet, use the original report and talk to your veterinarian. Our editorial policy.