My kids have been bugging me for a new puppy. They’ve selected the dog or breed they want and all I need to do is go pick it up. Oh, to be a kid again! They decided on a West Highland White Terrier. Our local pet store has one, but the cost is extremely high. Not only that, I have a hard time paying that much money for a dog, when there are so many dogs that need to be rescued. So now the search begins for a West Highland White Terrier rescue. I ended up going to 4 different shelters before I was about to fine one. I couldn’t believe that I was able to find our dog at the shelter just around the corner. My kids will be so happy.

I was surprised when my kids selected a West Highland White Terrier, also known as Westies. Westies originated in Scotland and are known for their distinguishing white coats. They were often used to seek and dig out foxes and badgers. Their size and enthusiasm made them great at their job. West Highland White Terriers are small and have bright, deep set eyes. It’s the eyes that get you every time. That’s what happened when we saw our West Highland White Terrier rescue. We just couldn’t resist. Male Westies generally weigh 15 to 20 pounds, while the female Westies weigh 13 to 16 pounds. The Kennel Club has recommended that their tails should be docked. The tail should be no longer than 5 to 6 inches. They have a huge skull with a short fitted jaw and teeth that appear too big for their size. They are often referred to as the dog with a “big bite.” Their paws are slightly webbed and thickly padded. Our West Highland White Terrier rescue has very soft, dense hair, which will need regular grooming. Westies tend to have sensitive skin; therefore, you’ll need to watch the type of soap you use. I would recommend using a detergent-free baby oriented or another soft skin shampoo.

Westies have been used as mascots before. The most popular, besides the Black & White (a brand of Scotch whisky) is the face of Cesar dog food. Because of this, the West Highland White Terrier breed has become very popular. I was lucky and was able to find my West Highland White Terrier rescue at a neighborhood shelter. If your search isn’t going as good as mine, there are many rescue services and/or breeders online.