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<!-- Begin Infobox Dogbreed. The text of the article should go AFTER this section. See: -->
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{{Infobox Dogbreed
| image = File:West Highland White Terrier Krakow.jpg
| image_caption = 
| image_alt = A completely white terrier with standing-up ears faces the camera.
| name = West Highland White Terrier
| nickname = {{Unbulleted list|Westie|Westy}}
| altname = {{Unbulleted list|Poltalloch Terrier|Roseneath Terrier|White Roseneath Terrier}}
| country = [[Scotland]]
<!-----Traits----->
|weight       = {{convert|6.8|-|9.1|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|height       = {{convert|25|-|28|cm|in|abbr=on}}
|coat         = Double
|colour       = White
|litter_size  = 3 to 5
<!-----Kennel club standards----->
| kc_name        = [[The Kennel Club]]
| kc_std         = https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/terrier/west-highland-white-terrier/
| fcistd         = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/085g03-en.pdf
}}<!-- End Infobox Dogbreed info. Article Begins Here -->

The '''West Highland White Terrier''' (commonly shortened to '''Westie''') is a Scottish [[dog breed]] with a distinctive white harsh coat and somewhat soft white undercoat. It is a medium-sized [[terrier]] but has longer legs than other Scottish terriers. It has a white double coat of fur which fills out its face, giving it a rounded appearance.

The Westie is intelligent and quick to learn. It is social and can be good with children, but rarely tolerates rough handling and sometimes prefers solitude. Having been bred to hunt small rodents on farms, it is an energetic and boisterous breed with a high prey drive and thus needs regular exercise of around one hour per day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/terrier/west-highland-white-terrier/|title=West Highland White Terrier|website=thekennelclub.org.uk|access-date=May 3, 2021}}</ref> The modern breed is descended from a number of pre-20th century breeding programmes of white terriers in Scotland. Edward Donald Malcolm, 16th Laird of Poltalloch, is credited with the creation of the modern breed from his Poltalloch Terrier, but did not want to be known as such.

The Westie is a cousin of the [[Cairn Terrier]] and is related to other breeds such as the Roseneath Terrier (bred by George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll) and Pittenweem Terrier (bred by Americ Edwin Flaxman). The Westie was given its modern name for the first time in 1908, with recognition by major kennel clubs occurring around the same time. The breed remains very popular in the United Kingdom, with multiple wins at [[Crufts]], and has been in the top third of all breeds in the United States since the 1960s. Several breed-specific and non-specific health problems appear in Westies, including [[craniomandibular osteopathy]], which is also called "Westie jaw" and is a condition in young dogs which causes an overgrowth of the bone in the jaw. The breed can also be prone to skin disorders such as the breed-specific condition hyperplastic dermatosis.

==Appearance==
[[File:Westie Chloe.jpg|thumb|Westies have a thick [[Down hair|undercoat]] and smooth [[Guard hair|outer coat]]]]
Westies commonly have bright, deep-set, almond-shaped eyes that are dark in colour. Their ears are pointed and erect.<ref name=howellbook/> Westies typically weigh between {{convert|15|and|20|lb|kg}} with an average height between {{convert|10|-|11|in|cm}} at the [[withers]].<ref name=howellbook/> The body should be shorter than the height of the dog at the shoulder.<ref name=howellbook/>

Westies have a black nose, deep chest, muscular limbs, and a short closely-fitted jaw with "scissors" bite (lower canines locked in front of upper canines, upper incisors locked over lower incisors).<ref name=newterrier/> Their paws are slightly turned out to give them better grip than flat-footed breeds when they climb on rocky surfaces.<ref name="bruette191"/> Young puppies have pink markings on the nose and footpads that slowly turn black as they age.<ref name=newterrier/> Westies also have short and sturdy tails.

Westies have a rough outer coat that can grow to about {{convert|2|in|cm}} long<ref name=newterrier>{{cite book|last=Kern|first=Kerry V|title=The New Terrier Handbook|year=1988|publisher=Barron's|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-0-8120-3951-1|page=133|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2FhCfxdxyYkC&pg=PA133|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> and a soft, thick undercoat.<ref name=howellbook>{{cite book|last=Palika|first=Liz|title=The Howell Book of Dogs|year=2007|publisher=Wiley|location=Hoboken, NJ|isbn=978-0-470-00921-5|page=383|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9z_n9mDY2tcC&pg=PA383|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> The fur fills out the face to give it a rounded appearance.<ref name=howellbook/> As puppies develop into adults, their coarse outer coat is normally removed by either "hand-stripping" (especially for dog-showing) or otherwise clipping.<ref name=howellbook/> Most Westies are pure white, although there are some light [[Wheat (color)|wheat]] colour variations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://petdt.com/poodle-terrier-mix/|title=Poodle Terrier Mix: See How Incredible This Hybrid Breed Is|last=Dekkers|first=Carly|website=petdt.com|date=October 7, 2019|access-date=May 3, 2021}}</ref>

==Temperament==
[[File:Westie pups.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Two white terrier puppies stand next to each other: They appear less furry than the adults of their breed, and the pinkness inside the ears is evident.|Two Westie puppies]]
The temperament of Westies can vary greatly, with some being friendly towards children and others preferring solitude.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/west-highland-white-terrier|title=West Highland White Terrier|website=Hill's Pet}}</ref> They will not typically tolerate rough handling, such as a child pulling on their ears or fur, and can frequently be both food- and toy-possessive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesprucepets.com/west-highland-white-terrier-breed-profile-1118007|title=West Highland White Terrier (Westie): Dog Breed Characteristics & Care|last=Stregowski|first=Jenna|date=June 10, 2025|website=The Spruce Pets}}</ref> This makes regular training from a young age particularly important. Westies can make good watchdogs and are normally independent, self-assured, and confident. They are loyal and bond with their owner but are often on the move, requiring a minimum of one hour of daily exercise. Westies are highly social and are the most friendly of all the Scottish terriers.<ref name="rice6">[[#dogdigital|Rice (2002)]]: p. 6</ref>

A hardy breed, Westies can be stubborn and cause issues with training, potentially requiring their training to be refreshed on occasion during their lifetime. Having a typical terrier prey drive, they tend to be highly interested in [[dog toy|toys]], especially chasing balls. They retain the instincts of an "earthdog" such as being inquisitive and investigative,<ref name="rice6"/> as well as natural instincts to bark and dig holes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.westieclubamerica.com/Versatile-westies-earthdog.html |title= Westie Earthdog or 'Going-to-Ground' |website=West Highland White Terrier Club of America |access-date=October 30, 2021 }}</ref> Westies are tied for 47th place (with the [[Scottish Deerhound]]) in [[Stanley Coren]]'s 1994 book ''[[The Intelligence of Dogs]]'', which designates them as being of "average working/obedience intelligence" and places them almost exactly in the middle of the list.<ref>{{cite book|last=Coren|first=Stanley|title=The Intelligence of Dogs |year=2006|page=124|publisher=Pocket Books|location=London, UK|isbn=978-1-4165-0287-6}}</ref>

==Health==
[[File:West Highland White Terrier face portrait May 2023.jpg|thumb|Face of a 15-year-old Westie]]
A 2015 French study found a life expectancy of 12.93 years,<ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.11.008| title = Inbreeding impact on litter size and survival in selected canine breeds| journal = The Veterinary Journal| volume = 203| issue = 1| pages = 74–78| year = 2015| last1 = Leroy | first1 = G. G. | last2 = Phocas | first2 = F. | last3 = Hedan | first3 = B. | last4 = Verrier | first4 = E. | last5 = Rognon | first5 = X. | pmid=25475165| s2cid = 27631883| url = https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01122782/file/Inbreeding%20impact%20on%20litter%20size_accepted.pdf}} mean=11.89 ± 3.92 median=12.93</ref> while a 2024 British study found a life expectancy of 13.4 years (averaging 12.7 years for purebreeds and 12 years for [[Mongrel|crossbreeds]]).<ref>{{cite journal | last=McMillan | first=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3=Carys L. | last4=Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=| pmc=10834484 }}</ref> The typical litter size is between three and five puppies.<ref name=newterrier />

The breed is pre-disposed to conditions found in many breeds, such as abdominal [[hernia]]s.<ref name="ackerman115">[[#ackerman2011|Ackerman (2011)]]: p. 115</ref> Westie puppies may be affected by [[craniomandibular osteopathy]], a disease also known as "lion jaw", and is sometimes also referred to as "Westie jaw".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/puppy-farmer-grace-banks-jailed-11297373|title=Puppy farmer Grace Banks jailed for selling sick dogs... while on bail for selling sick dogs|last=Cox|first=Charlotte|newspaper=[[Manchester Evening News]]|date=May 6, 2016|access-date=May 3, 2021}}</ref> The disease is an [[autosomal recessive]] condition, so a puppy can only be affected by it if both of its parents are carriers of the faulty gene. The condition appears across many breeds, including several different types of terriers, as well as other unrelated breeds such as the [[Great Dane]]. It typically appears in dogs under one year old, and can cause problems for the dog to chew or swallow food. [[Radiographic testing]] can be conducted to diagnose the condition, in which the bones around the jaw thicken; additionally, the blood may show increased calcium levels and enzyme levels. The condition often stops progressing by the time the dog is a year old, and in some cases can recede. It is normally treated with anti-inflammatory medications, and the feeding of soft foods. In some cases, tube feeding may be necessary.<ref name="ackerman1167">[[#ackerman2011|Ackerman (2011)]]: pp. 116–117</ref>

The breed is prone to skin disorders.<ref name=newterrier /> About one quarter of Westies surveyed are affected by [[atopic dermatitis]], a heritable chronic allergic skin condition. A higher proportion of males are affected compared to females.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grayson|first=J. Kevin|url=http://www.westiefoundation.org/pdf/health/surveys/wfa-health-survey-2006-2007.pdf|title=2007 West Highland White Terrier Health Survey Final Report|publisher=Westie Foundation of America and the Health Committee of the WHWTCA|access-date=6 March 2012|archive-date=22 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152056/http://www.westiefoundation.org/pdf/health/surveys/wfa-health-survey-2006-2007.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> An uncommon but severe breed-specific skin condition, hyperplastic dermatosis, may affect West Highland White Terriers of any age. Affected dogs can suffer from red [[hyperpigmentation]], [[lichenification]], and [[alopecia]]. In the initial stages, this condition can be misdiagnosed as an allergy or less serious forms of dermatitis.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gross|first=Thelma Lee|title=Skin diseases of the dog and cat|year=2005|publisher=Blackwell Science|location=Ames, IO|isbn=978-0-632-06452-6|pages=146–148|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cSIBt2aLq58C&q=west+highland+white+terrier&pg=PA146}}</ref>

[[File:Warmly Clothed Westie Puppy.jpg|thumb|Westie puppy]]
An inherited genetic problem that exists in the breed is [[globoid cell leukodystrophy]]. It is not breed-specific, and can appear in Cairn Terriers and other breeds including [[Beagle]]s and [[Pomeranian dog|Pomeranians]]. It is a neurological disease wherein the dog lacks the enzyme [[galactosylceramidase]]. The symptoms are noticeable as the puppy develops, and can be identified by the age of 30 weeks. Affected dogs have tremors, muscle weakness, and trouble walking. Symptoms slowly increase until limb paralysis begins to occur. Due to it being a hereditary condition, owners should avoid breeding affected animals to eliminate it from the breed.<ref name="ackerman105">[[#ackerman2011|Ackerman (2011)]]: p. 105</ref> Another genetic condition that affects the breed is "[[white dog shaker syndrome]]". As this condition is most commonly found in Westies and [[Maltese dog|Maltese]], the condition was originally thought to be connected to the genes for white coats, but the same condition has since been found in other non-white breeds including the [[Yorkshire Terrier]] and the [[Dachshund]]. The condition typically develops over one to three days, resulting in tremors of the head and limbs, ataxia, and [[hypermetria]]. Affected males and females can be affected for different lengths of time, with symptoms in females lasting between four and six weeks, while males can be affected the rest of their lives.<ref name="ackerman155">[[#ackerman2011|Ackerman (2011)]]: p. 155</ref>

Other less common conditions which appear in the breed include hydroxyglutaric aciduria, which is where elevated levels of [[Alpha-Hydroxyglutaric acid]] are in the dog's urine, blood plasma, and spinal fluid. It can cause seizures, muscle stiffness, and [[ataxia]], but is more commonly found in [[Staffordshire Bull Terrier]]s.<ref name="ackerman108">[[#ackerman2011|Ackerman (2011)]]: p. 108</ref> A degeneration of the hip joint, known as [[Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome]], also occurs in the breed.<ref name="ackerman125">[[#ackerman2011|Ackerman (2011)]]: p. 125</ref> However, the chances of this condition occurring are much higher in some other breeds, such as the [[Australian Shepherd]] and the [[Miniature Pincher]].<ref name="ackerman126">[[#ackerman2011|Ackerman (2011)]]: p. 126</ref> The breed is also one of the least likely to be affected by a [[luxating patella]], where the knee cap slips out of place.<ref name="ackerman134">[[#ackerman2011|Ackerman (2011)]]: p. 134</ref> The breed is predisposed to atopic dermatitis.<ref>{{cite book | last=Rhodes | first=Karen Helton | last2=Werner | first2=Alexander H. | title=Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion | publisher=Wiley-Blackwell | publication-place=Ames, Iowa | date=2011-01-25 | isbn=978-0-8138-1596-1 | page=94}}</ref>

Hyperplastic dermatosis of the West Highland White Terrier, also known as epidermal dysplasia or colloquially Armadillo Westie Syndrome, is an uncommon condition exclusively identified in the Westie. It is a severe chronic hyperplastic dermatological disease that is similar to [[seborrhoeic dermatitis]] and [[primary seborrhoea]]. Due to the fact that it is identified only in Westies, and evidence of familial involvement, it is believed to be an inherited trait. ''[[Malassezia]]'' infection is associated with the onset or worsening of symptoms. Symptoms involve generalised and serious patches of alopecia, [[erythema]], [[lichenification]], [[hyperpigmentation]], [[malodor]], [[otitis externa]], and [[pruritus]].<ref>{{cite journal | last=NISHIFUJI | first=Koji | last2=PARK | first2=Seong-Jun | last3=IWASAKI | first3=Toshiroh | title=A Case of Hyperplastic Dermatosis of the West Highland White Terrier Controlled by Recombinant Canine Interferon-.GAMMA. Therapy | journal=Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | publisher=Japanese Society of Veterinary Science | volume=69 | issue=4 | year=2007 | issn=0916-7250 | doi=10.1292/jvms.69.455 | pages=455–457|url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/bce4/a2b4aed951e4710c69bc2314109e6e581929.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Rhodes | first=Karen Helton | last2=Werner | first2=Alexander H. | title=Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion | publisher=Wiley-Blackwell | publication-place=Ames, Iowa | date=2011-01-25 | isbn=978-0-8138-1596-1 | page=459}}</ref>

A 2021 British study looking at clinical records found predispositions to [[chronic hepatitis]] and [[hepatocellular death]], caused by either toxins or acute liver failure; compared to other dogs, Westies are 3.23 times more likely to contract chronic hepatitis and 3.87 times more likely to contract hepatocellular death.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Bandara | first=Y. | last2=Bayton | first2=W. A. | last3=Williams | first3=T. L. | last4=Scase | first4=T. | last5=Bexfield | first5=N. H. | title=Histopathological frequency of canine hepatobiliary disease in the United Kingdom | journal=Journal of Small Animal Practice | volume=62 | issue=9 | date=2021 | issn=0022-4510 | doi=10.1111/jsap.13354 | pages=730–736}}</ref> Copper storage diseases which affect the breed can result in chronic hepatitis.<ref>Richter, K. (2013). Canine chronic hepatitis. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/20133225344</ref>

==History==
[[File:1899 Scotties White.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A black and white photo of three terriers|Three Pittenweem Terriers, photographed in 1899]]
Scottish white terriers were recorded as early as during the reign of [[James VI of Scotland]], who reigned between 1567 and 1625. The king ordered that a dozen of these white terriers be procured from [[Argyll]] to be presented to the [[Early modern France|Kingdom of France]] as a gift.<ref name="bruette191">[[#bruette1921|Bruette (1921)]]: p. 191</ref> Sandy- and brindle-coloured dogs were seen as hardier than those of other colours, and white dogs were seen as being weak.<ref name="smith84">[[#smith1910|Smith (1921)]]: p. 84</ref> At various times during the breed's existence, it has been considered a white offshoot of both the [[Scottish Terrier]] and the [[Cairn Terrier]] breeds.<ref name="rice5"/>

Reports of a ship from the [[Spanish Armada]] being wrecked on the island of [[Skye]] in 1588 indicated the ship carried white Spanish dogs, whose descendants were kept distinct from other breeds by [[Clan Donald]], including the families of the Chiefs.<ref name=spanishwhitedogs>{{cite book|last=Dalziel|first=Hugh|title=British dogs; their varieties, history, characteristics, breeding, management and exhibition|year=1879|publisher=The Bazaar Office|location=London, UK|page=350|url=https://archive.org/stream/britishdogstheir00dalzrich#page/350/mode/2up/search/white}}</ref> Other families on Skye preserved both white and sandy-coloured dogs. One such family was the [[Clan MacLeod]], and it was reported by their descendants that at least two [[Chiefs of Clan MacLeod|Chiefs]] kept white terriers, including "The Wicked Man" [[Norman MacLeod (The Wicked Man)|Norman MacLeod]], and his grandson Norman, who became Chief after his death.<ref name="smith84"/>

[[George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll]], chief of [[Clan Campbell]], bred a breed of white Scottish terriers known as the "Roseneath Terrier".<ref name=malcolmincanada>{{cite web|last=Horter|first=Ria|title=Col. Edward Donald Malcolm, 16th Laird of Poltalloch, and the West Highland White Terrier|url=http://www.riahorter.com/DOGS%20IN%20CANADA%20-%20MASTERMIND-Col%20Edward%20Malcolm%20%20WHWT.pdf|publisher=Dogs in Canada|date=April 2009|access-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> Another breed of white Scottish terriers also appeared at this point, with Dr. Americ Edwin Flaxman from Fife developing his line of "Pittenweem Terriers" out of a female [[Scottish Terrier]] which produced white offspring.<ref name=malcolmincanada/> The dog seemed to produce these white puppies regardless of the sire to which she was bred, and after drowning over 20 of these offspring, he came upon the theory that it was an ancient trait of the Scottish Terrier that was trying to reappear. He re-dedicated his breeding programme to produce white Scottish Terriers with the aim of restoring it to the same stature as the dark-coloured breed. Flaxman is credited with classes being added to dog shows for white Scottish Terriers towards the end of the 19th century.<ref name=doggypeople>{{cite book|last=Lane|first=Charles Henry|title=Dog shows and doggy people|year=1902|publisher=Hutchinson|location=London, UK|pages=100–102|url=https://archive.org/stream/dogshowsdoggypeo00lanerich#page/100/mode/2up}}</ref>
[[File:West Highland White Terrier from 1915.JPG|thumb|left|alt=A black and white photograph of a small white terrier, looking very similar to the modern breed|A West Highland White Terrier, photographed in 1915]]
The person most closely associated with developing the modern breed of West Highland White Terrier is Edward Donald Malcolm, 16th Laird of Poltalloch. Malcolm owned terriers used to work game; the story told is that a reddish-brown terrier was mistaken for a fox and shot. Following this, Malcolm decided to develop a white terrier breed, which became known as the "Poltalloch Terrier". The first generation of Poltallochs had sandy-coloured coats, and had already developed prick ears, which is a trait seen later in the modern breed.<ref name=malcolmincanada/> It is unknown if the Poltalloch Terriers and Pittenweem Terriers were interbred.<ref name=malcolmincanada/> In 1903, Malcolm declared that he did not want to be known as the creator of the breed and insisted that his breed of white terriers be renamed. The term "West Highland White Terrier" first appears in ''Otters and Otter Hunting'' by L.C.R. Cameron, published in 1908.<ref name=malcolmincanada/><ref>{{cite book|last=Cameron|first=Ludovick Charles Richard Duncombe-Jewell|title=Otters and otter-hunting|year=1908|publisher=C. Scribner's Sons|location=New York, NY|page=43|url=https://archive.org/stream/ottersotterhunti00came#page/42/mode/2up/search/highland}}</ref>

The first breed club was set up in 1904; [[Niall Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll]], was the society's first president. A second club was subsequently set up, with the [[Countess of Aberdeen]] as chairman. Edward Malcolm succeeded the Countess as the club's second chairman. [[The Kennel Club|Kennel Club]] recognition followed in 1907, and the breed appeared at [[Crufts]] for the first time in the same year.<ref name=malcolmincanada/> The Westie was imported into the United States in 1907–1908, when Robert Goelet imported Ch. Kiltie and Ch. Rumpus Glenmohr. Initially, it was also known at the time as the Roseneath Terrier, and the Roseneath Terrier Club was recognised by the [[American Kennel Club]] in 1908. The club was renamed during the following year to the West Highland White Terrier Club of America.<ref name="rice5">[[#dogdigital|Rice (2002)]]: p. 5</ref> The breed spent the period that immediately followed as being "in vogue",<ref name=hochwell>{{cite book|last=Hochwell|first=A. F.|title=Dogs as home companions; a book for all dog lovers|year=1925|publisher=Sportsman's Digest|location=Cincinnati, OH|pages=26–29|url=https://archive.org/stream/dogsashomecompan00hoch#page/26/mode/2up}}</ref> becoming popular almost immediately upon its arrival in the US.<ref name=hochwell/> [[Canadian Kennel Club]] recognition followed in 1909.<ref name=malcolmincanada/> Until 1924 in the UK, Westie [[Pedigree (dog)|pedigrees]] were allowed to have [[Cairn Terrier|Cairn]] and Scottish Terriers in them. By the time of Malcolm's death in 1930, a stable type had appeared with prick ears, a white coat, and a short back.<ref name=malcolmincanada/>

[[File:Wts2008.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A white terrier photographed from the side, it has longer hair than normal which reaches down nearly as far as its feet, the hair on its head is puffed up.|A Westie in a modern show-cut]]
In major [[conformation show]]s, the breed has been equally successful on both sides of the Atlantic. The first member of the breed to win a show championship was Ch. Morvan in 1905, owned by Colin Young. The dog was registered at the time as a Scottish Terrier, and won the title at the Scottish Kennel Club show at the age of seven months. Because the breed was not yet recognised independently, the championship title was not retained when the dog was reregistered as a West Highland White Terrier.<ref name=malcolmincanada/> The first win at a major show came at the [[Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show]] in 1942 when Constance Winant's Ch. Wolvey Pattern of Edgerstoune won the title of Best in Show.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,884480,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307112933/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,884480,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 March 2008|title=She Asked For It|date=23 February 1942|magazine=Time|access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The same title was taken by Barbara Worcester's Ch. Elfinbrook Simon in 1962.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,895916,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926022718/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,895916,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 September 2008|title=Fads: The Poodle Dethroned|date=23 February 1962|magazine=Time|access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> It took a further 14 years before the breed took its first Best in Show title at Crufts, the UK's major dog show. Ch. Dianthus Buttons, owned by Kath Newstead and Dorothy Taylor, took the title for the breed in 1976.<ref name="dogdigital84">[[#dogdigital|''Dogworld: Digital Crufts Edition'' (2010)]]: p. 84</ref> A Westie also won Crufts in 1990 with the Best in Show title going to Derek Tattersall's Ch. Olac Moon Pilot,<ref name="dogdigital88">[[#dogdigital|''Dogworld: Digital Crufts Edition'' (2010)]]: p. 88</ref> and in 2016 to [[Burneze Geordie Girl]].

The popularity of the breed during the early 20th century was such that dogs were being exchanged for hundreds of [[Guinea (British coin)|guineas]].<ref name="smith85">[[#smith1910|Smith (1921)]]: p. 85</ref> As of 2010, the Westie is the third-most popular breed of terrier in the UK, with 5,361 puppies registered with the Kennel Club. However, this is a decrease in numbers since 2001, when it was the most popular terrier breed, with 11,019 new dogs registered.<ref name=10yearsregkc>{{cite web|title=Comparative Tables of Registrations for the Years 2001–2010 Inclusive |url=http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/5671/10-yearly-Breeds-Stats-terrier.pdf |publisher=The Kennel Club |access-date=26 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131163957/http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/5671/10-yearly-Breeds-Stats-terrier.pdf |archive-date=31 January 2012 }}</ref> The breed's position in the United States is more stable with it remaining in the top third of all breeds since around 1960.<ref name="rice5"/> It was ranked 30th-most popular in 2001, based on registrations with the American Kennel Club, which varied around the 30s in the decade after, with it ranked 34th in 2010.<ref name=akcregistrations>{{cite web|title=AKC Dog Registration Statistics|url=http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm|publisher=American Kennel Club|access-date=26 September 2011}}</ref> It was the 41st-most popular AKC breed in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Haid |first=Melanie |date=20 March 2025 |title=The Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2024 |url=https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/most-popular-dog-breeds-2024/ |access-date=27 October 2025 |website=American Kennel Club}}</ref>

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book|last=Ackerman|first=Lowell J|title=Genetic Connection: A Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs|year=2011|publisher=American Animal Hospital Association Press|location=Lakewood, CO|edition=2nd|isbn=978-1-58326-157-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOoRn4KgIawC|ref=ackerman2011}}
* {{cite book|last=Bruette|first=William A|title=The Complete Dog Book|year=1921|publisher=Stewart Kidd Co.|location=Cincinnati, OH|url=https://archive.org/details/completedogbook00bruegoog|ref=bruette1921}}
* {{cite book|last=Rice|first=Dan|title=West Highland White Terriers|year=2002|publisher=Barron's|location=Hauppauge, NY|isbn=978-0-7641-1899-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IULzAKS4jukC&q=west+highland+white+terrier|ref=rice2002}}
* {{cite book|last=Smith|first=Arthur Croxton|title=The Power of the Dog|year=1910|publisher=[[Hodder & Stoughton]]|location=London, UK|url=https://archive.org/details/powerofdog00smit|ref=smith1910}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Terriers}}
{{Scottish dogs}}
{{Scottish animal breeds}}

[[Category:Dog breeds originating in Scotland]]
[[Category:FCI breeds]]
[[Category:Terriers]]