Temperament of the Dog

The West Highland White Terrier entertains his owner with boundless energy and all types of amusing behavior. He loves to learn tricks and show off for people.

The hardy and scrappy West Highland White Terrier is strong, alert, and spirited. He is a busybody who is mischievous, independent, and lovable. He has his own ideas of what to do and when to do it and those ideas sometimes get him into trouble. His independence, along with his fearlessness, make him a bit difficult to obedience train if you don't start early and continue firmly and persistently.

His intelligence and desire to please make him fairly easy to train and very good in obedience and agility. Both are activities that direct his energy into positive outlets.
West Highland Whites are great with children of all ages as they have great patience with them. They adapt to new situations easily, so travel well. They crave the companionship of their family and will want to be in the thick of the action.
They are sensitive, but need lovingly firm discipline.

Unnecessary barking will make a pest of a once good watchdog and frantic digging will turn a landscaped yard into what looks like a mine field.

This breed can be quite the charmer.

Westies are not as willful as other terriers and will probably get along with other pets better than most terriers.

Better suited to an indoor or outdoor lifestyle?

This small breed needs to live indoors. When outdoors, a West Highland Terrier will either dig holes all over the area or he will bark excessively if not taught differently from an early age.

Always supervise your West Highland White outdoors. Do not let him off lead except in an area with a secured (underground as well as above ground) fence.

Are they suited to homes with kids?

The West Highland White Terrier is very patient with children of all ages. He loves to play, so playing with children makes him happy.