The dogs of this cute breed are like funny little toys, but the exterior is often pretty deceptive. These beautiful creatures are fearless professional hunters, who were bred specially for hunting in burrows. Dog West Highland White Terrier is extremely clever and gambling, capable of making independent decisions, and let you do not mind its miniature size.
History of the West Highland White Terrier
The first mention of "earthen dogs", which are used for hunting in burrows, belong to the 15th century. These terriers were of different color and body structure. Most likely, the first West Highland White terriers appeared as a result of crossing of Scotch terriers, core terriers and aberdine terriers. At the end of the 19th century, Colonel Donald Malcolm, who lived in the highlands of Scotland, liked to hunt foxes, badgers, rabbits and small rodents. He really wanted to have a four-legged assistant in this interesting business. This man had his own nursery and began to improve the breed. Using the white rotenite of the terriers that were in the estate of the Duke of Argai, our colonel started breeding, which a few years later was crowned with success. He is the official founder of this breed and gave it a modern name.
Description of breed of dogs West Highland White Terrier
Standard West Highland White Terriers was approved in the distant 1905-th year. At the withers, these lovely creatures reach a height of 28 cm, and the weight does not exceed 7-10 kg. The transition from muzzle to head, overgrown with thick hair, is almost invisible. Their eyes are set wide, and planted deeply. The nose of the nose is large and black. On their head they have erect pointed ears. The wool of this breed is exceptionally white, straight and stiff, with a dense undercoat. West Highland White Terrier has a calm and friendly character. With humans and animals, they get along fine. Pugilism is very rare for them, although you can not call these dogs timid creatures. Possessing a brave character, West Highland terriers rush bravely to defend their master, in a sonorous voice trying to frighten the enemy. Training, they succumb, although there are also stubborn creatures, which will have to suffer. Always in any family the West Highlands quickly become universal favorites.
West Highland White Terrier - Care
Keep them better at home, although they need regular walking or walking outside the city. Do not forget that this breed was created as professional hunters. Therefore, try to provide them with physical exertion. They live about 12-15 years. Thick hair needs combing and trimming, which must be done a couple of times a year. To bathe it it is necessary only at the big necessity if on walk it is strongly soiled. These dogs are not bad, but we will list the diseases that are most often affected by this breed:
- yeast dermatitis;
- diabetes;
- food allergy ;
- pulmonary fibrosis;
- atopy;
- cataract;
- cutaneous histiocytoma;
- keratoconjunctivitis;
- congenital deafness;
- hip dysplasia;
- meningoencephalitis of white dogs;
- cardiomyopathy;
- craniomandibular osteopathy.
West Highland White Terrier - feeding
Puppies up to 3 months of age, feed three times a day. Then translate into 2-time feeding. Pieces of food to him pick up small, in size jaws. By the 6th month they are able to reach puberty. Therefore, the feed should for these be the most complete, and contain all the necessary mineral supplements. Growth by the 10th month is almost over, and they can be transferred to the diet of adult dogs. The fat in the stern should be about 16%.
West Highland White Terriers were almost not disappeared in the hard times of the war and the difficult post-war period, but well-known and respected English dog breeders joined forces to save it. Very often they were used in advertising Scotch whiskey, which served to increase the popularity of dogs of this breed in the world. Only in Russia, these beautiful creatures are still a rarity.