Westie Scottie Dog: Everything You Need to Know

The Westie Scottie dog is a unique and adorable breed that's sure to capture your heart. This little dog is a cross between a West Highland White Terrier and a Scottish Terrier.

They're known for their big personality in a small package, weighing in at around 15-20 pounds. Their short coats require minimal grooming, making them a great choice for busy owners.

In terms of exercise, Westie Scotties need regular walks and playtime to stay happy and healthy. A daily walk of at least 30 minutes is a must to keep them entertained and exercised.

Westies are always white in color, although there are rare off-white or wheaten colored ones. Their coats are short and wiry, with a rough outer coat that can grow to about 2 inches long and a soft, dense, thick undercoat.

Westies have bright, deep-set, almond-shaped eyes that are dark in color. Their ears are pointed and erect. Their paws are slightly turned out to give them better grip when climbing on rocky surfaces.

The Scottie, on the other hand, comes in colors of black, brindle, or wheaten. Brindle is when the fur's individual strands have two colors in them, creating patterns on the coat. Their ears are bigger and pricked, with a softer triangular shape, and are born with floppy ears that stand up around 10 weeks of age.

Westies typically weigh between 15 and 20 pounds, while Scotties come in between 18 to 22 pounds. However, because of their different body shapes, the Westie is usually taller than the Scottie by a couple of inches.

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West Highland White Terriers, or Westies, are known for their distinctive appearance.

Their eyes are bright and deep-set, almond-shaped, and dark in color. Their ears are pointed and erect.

Westies typically weigh between 15 and 20 pounds and stand between 10-11 inches tall at the withers.

Their body is shorter than their height at the shoulder, with a deep chest and muscular limbs. A black nose and short, closely-fitted jaw complete the picture.

Westies have a "scissors" bite, with lower canines locked in front of upper canines and upper incisors locked over lower incisors. Their paws are slightly turned out for better grip.

Their fur is made up of a rough outer coat that can grow up to 2 inches long and a soft, dense undercoat. Most Westies are pure white, although some have light wheaten color variations.

As puppies, Westies have pink markings on their nose and footpads that turn black as they age. Their tails are short and sturdy, and were bred to be thick for ease of pulling out of holes.

Scotland Terriers have a distinctive appearance that's hard to miss. Their heads are often described as looking like a Westie's, with a black frame and white markings throughout.

Their eyes are round and dark in color, and their bite is scissored, just like a Westie's. This unique feature is quite noticeable.

Their coats are medium to long in length, falling somewhere between standard and dense thickness. The hair is wiry, rather than corded or straight.

Scotland Terriers typically have a more inquisitive expression than Westies, with a slightly more serious demeanor. Their ears are smaller and pricked compared to Westies.

Their tails are similar in shape to a Westie's, but their overall build is more compact and heavier-boned.

Both the Westie and Scottie breeds originated in Scotland, with accounts dating back as far as the 1500s.

Their history is fascinating, with different breeds being bred for different purposes and motivations. The original purpose of a Scottish Terrier was to hunt fox and eradicate vermin.

You can trace the Scottish Terrier back to 55 B.C. based on writings from Pliny the Elder. Their immense talent and confidence are what makes them one of the most popular dog breeds today.

They were initially red, which made them difficult to tell apart from the foxes they were hunting. This led to breeding them to change their color to white.

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The West Highland White Terrier, also known as the Westie, used to be available in a variety of shades in their early years. The white standard we know today became popular in the 1700s thanks to the efforts of Col. Edward Donald Malcolm.

He bred a pure white version to prevent landowners from accidentally shooting their terriers, mistaking them for foxes. This led to the other strains eventually dying out, leaving only the white version we know today.

The Westie and Scottie breeds have distinct temperaments that set them apart from each other. They are both loyal to their humans and love their families very much.

The Scottish Terrier is a more independent dog, who likes to do his own thing, and is highly intelligent. However, they also have a high prey drive, making them unsuitable for homes with smaller pets.

The Westie, on the other hand, is a much more sociable and people-loving breed, naturally sociable towards humans and quick to warm up to strangers and other dogs if socialized properly during their early years.

Westies can be possessive, especially about their food and toys, so they are also not advisable for households with very young children. However, they are very family oriented and will do great in homes where the children are old enough to understand to not mess with its stuff!

The Westie is a super sociable pooch who loves to be the center of attention, making friends with anyone and everyone, including other dogs. He loves the company of children because they are just as silly as he is!

The Westie is the yappers and you will hear them being excited about different things throughout the day! Probably not the best dog for an apartment block.

The Westie is the sweetest and more affectionate of the two breeds, and doesn't like being alone, whereas Scotties are a bit more independent.

Both Westies and Scotties need regular grooming to avoid matting and tangling due to their dual coat. This means brushing their coats at least weekly, depending on their activity level, to keep their skin healthy.

Their high prey drive can make them chase squirrels or rats single-mindedly, so it's essential to keep them on a leash when out for a walk. This will prevent them from getting lost or injured.

Both breeds can thrive in apartments and houses with yards, but they do have a tendency to dig holes and escape tunnels. Make sure to have a fence around your property to prevent them from running off.

These terriers enjoy mental stimulation as well as physical exercise, so provide them with toys to play with and chew toys to hunt around the house. Keep them in plentiful stock to keep them entertained.

As descendants of working dogs, they respond well to praise and treats, but will get aggressive if trained negatively. Use positive reinforcement training methods to keep them happy and well-behaved.

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Westie Scotties are generally healthy dogs with a long lifespan, typically living between 12 to 15 years.

Regular vet visits are crucial to keep your Westie Scottie healthy. Both breeds are prone to certain health conditions due to their genetic influence.

Seborrhea is a common skin disorder that can cause skin flaking or excessively oily skin in Westie Scotties. This can be treated with prescribed medication or medicated shampoos.

Von Willebrand's disease is a bleeding disorder that can cause excessive bleeding if your Westie Scottie is injured. This is the most common inherited blood disorder in dogs.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, or "dry eye", can cause chronic inflammation in your Westie Scottie's eyes and lead to blindness if left untreated. This is a common disease experienced by dogs.

Craniomandibular Osteopathy is a disease that causes the thickening of skull bones in Westie Scotties. While little is known about its development, it is treatable with veterinary care.

Here are some common health concerns to look out for in Westie Scotties:

Patella luxation, or "floating kneecap", can be a painful condition that restricts mobility in Westie Scotties. This is a knee condition that should be screened for in your pup.

The Westie Scottie is a beloved breed with a rich history. They were originally bred to hunt rats and other small game on the harsh terrain of Scotland.

The West Highland White Terrier and the Scottish Terrier are two distinct breeds, but they share a common ancestry. The Scottish Terrier is thought to be the original breed, and all other small Scottish earth dogs descended from it.

The Westie Scottie has a unique appearance, with a black frame and white markings throughout. They also have a distinctive head shape, which is similar to the Westie's.

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The West Highland White Terrier, affectionately known as the Westie, is a purebred pup with a rich history. They were created by nobles and farmers in Scotland to help with rodent infestation.

Their ancestors were small earth dogs that were obedient, spunky, and fantastic at exterminating rats. These terriers were bred to be fantastic rat catchers.

The exact history of the Westie is unknown, but we do know that the Malcolm clan of Scotland began documenting the breeding of small white terriers. The Malcolm estate was known as the Poltalloch estate, which is why they are sometimes called Poltalloch Terriers.

In the late 19th century, the first Westies were shown in Scottish dog shows, and they were first shown in the American Kennel Club (AKC) ring in 1906. They were registered as West Highland White Terriers, named after the northwest part of Scotland.

Westies are relatively popular dogs in America, currently ranked as the AKC's 42nd most popular breed.

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The Scottish Terrier, affectionately known as the Scottie, is a breed with a rich history dating back to ancient times. It's believed to be one of the oldest dog breeds alive today.

Scotties were originally bred to hunt rats, foxes, and badgers on the harsh terrain of Scotland. They were created from humble working-class origins but quickly won over people in high places.

The first Scottie, Prince Charlie, was shown in AKC shows in 1885 and became a celebrity in his own right. This feisty breed even caught the eye of former President Franklin Roosevelt, who owned a famous Scottie named Fala.

Scotties are currently ranked as the 57 most popular dog breed, making them slightly rarer than some other breeds. However, in the 1930s and 40s, they were much more popular, with celebrities like Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis proudly owning Scotties.

The Scottie's origins are a bit murky, but it's believed to have been referred to by Pliny the Elder in 55 BC. This ancient breed has been around for thousands of years and has had a significant impact on the development of other terrier breeds.

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Training the Westie is relatively simple because he's an eager-to-please pup who responds well to treats and praise. Make sure to start training as a puppy and you'll have an obedient companion.

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The Scottie, on the other hand, is a bit more challenging due to his stubborn and independent nature. He'll require an experienced owner who can show him who's boss.

Both breeds benefit from crate training, especially the Westie who becomes anxious when left alone. Crate training can also help the Scottie from finding ways to escape.

Socialization is key from a young age, ideally between 3 to 12 weeks. This will prevent them from becoming rude and unruly.

Training is a crucial aspect of raising a happy and well-behaved Westie or Scottie. The Westie is an eager-to-please pup who will do anything for a yummy treat, praise, or a ball to chase, making training relatively simple.

Start training your Westie as a puppy, and you'll find an obedient pup on your hands. This is why he makes a great option for first-time dog owners.

The Scottie, on the other hand, is super stubborn and independent, requiring an experienced dog owner who will show him that he is not the top dog in the house. He'll run rounds around a new owner, making training very difficult.

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Make training sessions short and fun, and be clear and consistent with your commands. This will help your Scottie learn and behave.

Both Westies and Scotties will really benefit from crate training. The Westie becomes anxious when left alone, while the Scottie likes to find somewhere to escape every now and then.

Leave your pup alone when they're a pup to get used to their own space and not become reliant on your company. This will help them feel secure and calm.

Socialization is key to raising a well-behaved pup. Socialize them from a young age, ideally between 3 to 12 weeks, by mixing them with as many dogs, unfamiliar humans, and new experiences as possible.

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Small breed dogs like yours are easy on the wallet when it comes to food. They'll eat between 1 and 1.5 cups of kibble a day, which is a relatively small amount.

High-quality kibble is essential for their health, so try not to skimp on the good stuff. A well-balanced, nutritious diet will improve their overall health and well-being.

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Small breed dogs need kibble designed for their compact mouths, which is why you should look for small breed formulas. This will ensure they can chew and digest their food properly.

They also need more energy per pound compared to larger breeds, so choose a kibble that meets their energy needs.

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Puppy prices can be steep, with a purebred Westie or Scottie puppy costing around $1,000 and up.

You have options beyond buying a brand new puppy, and adopting is definitely worth considering.

The lifetime costs of owning a Westie or Scottie are similar, given their size and needs.

Working with a reputable breeder is crucial to get a healthy and happy puppy, as irresponsible breeders can cut corners on health checks and socialization.

Avoiding poor-quality breeders will save you money in the long run, as you'll need to cover health and training bills.

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If you're new to dog sports, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Let's break it down into basics.

You can begin with introductory classes that teach you and your dog the fundamentals of dog sports. These classes will help you build a strong bond with your dog and get a feel for what you enjoy.

There are many dog sports to choose from, so it's essential to consider your dog's breed, age, and energy level when selecting a sport. For example, Westies and Scotties are relatively healthy dogs that can enjoy a long lifespan, typically 12-15 years.

To get started in dog training, you'll need to enroll in a training program that suits your dog's needs. Some programs may require your dog to be a purebred, while others may accept mixed breeds.

Some dog sports may have specific requirements or titles, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the terminology. For example, Westie breeders should test for hip dysplasia and eye conditions, such as glaucoma and keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Here are some dog sports to consider with your Westie or Scottie:

Remember to always consult with a veterinarian before starting any new exercise or training program with your dog. Regular vet visits can help prevent health issues and detect any potential problems early on.