Westie Rescue of New York

The origin of the West Highland WhiteTerrier is the high country of Scotland. Bred to hunt fox, rats and vermin, this hardy, energetic terrier is highly intelligent and active. 

As defined by it's name this dog is white.

So many organizations have their own definition of a West Highland White Terrier, (Westie.)

The American Kennel Club notes that: "The West Highland White Terrier is a small, game, well-balanced hardy looking terrier, exhibiting good showmanship, possessed with no small amount of self-esteem, strongly built, deep in chest and back ribs, with a straight back and powerful hindquarters on muscular legs, and exhibiting in marked degree a great combination of strength and activity. The coat is about two inches long, white in color, hard, with plenty of soft undercoat. " 

The Westminster Kennel Club notes that:  "Possessed with no small amount of self-esteem, the West Highland White Terrier is an all-white, compact, sturdy package of frolicsome energy. His ears stand up naturally and his tail is short by nature's design. The breed was developed in the Highlands of Scotland for the hard and dangerous work of destroying vermin. Though independent in nature, they enjoy participating in Conformation, Agility, Obedience and Tracking, but their favorite activity is Earthdog Tests -- designed to test his natural instincts. Life with one of the 'little white dogs' is never dull and can be a challenge to the unsuspecting first-time owner. "

To those of us who love this breed, we just revel in their spunkiness and ability to always make us smile.  They are more than dogs to us, they are a part of our family.

 West Highland White Terrier

"Westie"