Skip to content
House Pet
All dog breeds

Small · Terrier group

West Highland White Terrier

West Highland White Terrier is a small dog in the Terrier group with higher published energy, moderate grooming frequency, moderate shedding, and moderate trainability.

Life expectancy
13-15 years
Published weight
15-20 pounds
Published height
11 inches (male), 10 inches (female)
Origin
Scotland
AKC recognized
1908

Published trait ledger

The broad tendencies, in one view.

Scores use the AKC's 1-to-5 scale. They describe a breed tendency, not a specific dog or a guarantee of behavior.

loyalhappyentertaining

Daily rhythm

Energy

Lower means a calmer published energy tendency.

Higher4/5

Mental work

Higher means more regular mental engagement.

Higher4/5

Vocal tendency

Higher means more frequent barking or vocalizing.

Higher5/5

Adaptability

Higher means more ease with routine or environment changes.

Higher4/5

Home upkeep

Shedding

Higher means more loose coat to manage.

Moderate3/5

Grooming frequency

Higher means more frequent coat maintenance.

Moderate3/5

Drooling

Higher means a stronger published drooling tendency.

Lower1/5

Trainability

Higher means a stronger published responsiveness to training.

Moderate3/5

Social tendencies

Young children

Published tolerance and patience around young children.

Higher5/5

Other dogs

Published tendency around other dogs.

Moderate3/5

Strangers

Higher means greater published openness to new people.

Higher4/5

Family affection

Published affection toward familiar family members.

Higher5/5

See if the whole pattern fits

Take the lifestyle quiz.

Compare this profile with the full sourced set instead of choosing from one trait.

Build a shortlist

Plan the commitment

Price the size, not the fantasy.

Start a 15-year planning view using the published adult-size class.

Open the cost planner

Official source

Read the AKC profile.

Review the source page and contact the breed's national parent club for deeper research.

Open official profile

Keep comparing

Browse all breeds