The West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White Terrier, commonly known as the Westie, is a small, sturdy dog with a distinctive white coat. They may be small but they are strong-willed and self-confident. The breed was originally named the Poltalloch terrier and was later called the Roseneath Terrier, after the Duke of Argylls estate in Scotland. It is believed that the breed gained its white coat after the owner's red terrier was mistaken for a fox and shot. In the mid 19th century, a Scottish breeder of the Cairn Terrier had some white pups in his litters. Those pups were selected and bred to obtain the West Highland White Terrier. Commonly, Westies have bright, deep-set, almond-shaped dark eyes. Their ears are erect, set wide apart on top of the head, in a pointed, triangular shape. It sheds moderately and as they develop into adults, their coarse outer coat is normally removed by either hand-stripping or clipping. This prevented them from getting caught in underground bramble when they hunted vermin. The Westie was originally bred for controlling the population of rats, fox, badger, otter and other vermin. West Highland White Terriers are robust little terriers, which are easy to train. They love companionship, are friendly toward strangers, get along well with children and are extremely self-assured toward other dogs. Despite its size, it makes a very good watchdog. The Westie likes to dig and bark. If a Westie is allowed to become the pack leader, they may snap when irritated and be combative with other dogs. These little dogs, need a daily walk. They will also enjoy a good romp, in a safe open area, off the lead.

Vermin:

rat

badger

fox

otter

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Glossary

allow: verb, to give permission, let happen almond-shaped: adjective, oval shape usually pointed at one or both ends bark: noun, verb, the loud noise dogs make bramble: noun, blackberry fruit shrub with a rough, prickly stem breed: noun, group of animals within a species, developed and maintained by humans breeder/s. breed: verb, to produce offspring, mating clip: verb, to cut, trim or shear hair or fleece coarse: adjective, rough in texture combative: adjective, ready or inclined to fight; pugnacious companionship: noun, the relationship of friends or companions those who are frequently in the company of friends or colleagues deep-set: adjective, placed far in despite: preposition, in spite of, in spite of the fact that; although regardless of; against, although, even though, even with, in contempt of, in defiance of, in the face of, notwithstanding, undeterred by develop: verb, to grow into a more mature or advanced state; advance; expand dig: verb, to break up, turn over, or remove earth, sand, etc., as with a shovel, spade, bulldozer, or claw distinctive: adjective, recognisable, individual, different erect: adjective, raised or directed upward estate: a piece of owned land, especially one with a large house on it extremely: adverb, very, degree gained: verb, to get something, especially as a result of one's efforts hand-stripping: verb, the process of pulling hair out of the coat of a non-shedding dog, either by using a stripping knife or the fingers

hunted: verb, to chase or search for wild animals for the purpose of catching or killing irritated: adjective, angered, provoked, or annoyed lead: noun, a chain or strap for controlling or leading a dog or other animal; leash litter: noun, the group of babies an animal gives birth to mistaken: adjective, having made a mistake; in error moderately: adverb, of medium quantity or amount pack leader: noun, a group of certain animals of the same kind pointed: adjective, having a point or points; sharp prevented: verb, to keep from occurring; stop from doing something robust: adjective, strong and healthy; strongly or stoutly built romp: verb, to play or frolic in a lively or boisterous manner. noun, a lively or boisterous frolic self-assured: adjective, confident of one's own worth self-confident: adjective, realistic, excessive or inflated confidence in one's own judgement, ability, power, etc. shed: verb, to cast off hair, feathers or skin by natural process snap: verb, to bite at something, bringing the jaws rapidly together strong-willed: adjective, having a powerful will; will: noun, the power of choosing one's own actions: to have a strong or a weak will. sturdy: adjective, strongly built; robust toward: preposition, in the direction of; with regard to; the behaviour directed to another triangular: adjective, in the shape of a triangle; three-cornered. vermin: noun (plural), small animals collectively, especially insects and rodents, that are troublesome to man, domestic animals watchdog: noun, a dog kept to guard property wide apart: adjective, separated from each other in distance