West Highland White Terrier
WEST HY-lund WYT TAIR-ee-ur
Alert, Friendly, Independent, Hardy. Originally bred for hunting rats, foxes, and other vermin.
An adult West Highland White Terrier weighs 15-22 lbs (male) or 13-18 lbs (female), needs 320-630 calories daily, and lives 13-15 yrs. As a small breed, every calorie and every ounce of body weight matters proportionally more. The breed's primary health watch is skin allergies (atopic dermatitis). All numbers below come from AKC breed standards and NRC 2006 veterinary nutrition formulas.
Nutrition and feeding
A typical adult West Highland White Terrier needs 320 to 630 calories per day. An average male (18 lbs / 8.4 kg) needs around 480 kcal; a female (16 lbs / 7.0 kg) roughly 420 kcal. These estimates use the vet-standard RER/MER formula.
Estimate for a typical adult West Highland White Terrier. For puppies, seniors, or specific activity levels, use the full calorie calculator.
Health profile
Smaller breeds generally live longer than large breeds, and the West Highland White Terrier benefits from this with a life expectancy of 13-15 yrs. Their compact frames create their own set of vulnerabilities. The breed's primary health concerns are skin allergies (atopic dermatitis) and patellar luxation, which responsible breeders screen for before breeding.
Exercise and activity
30-45 minutes of daily exercise. Active but not hyperactive. Enjoys walks and playtime. Terriers are diggers, chasers, and independent thinkers. The West Highland White Terrier will investigate every hole, chase every squirrel, and test every boundary you set. Provide outlets for natural terrier behavior: digging pits, earth dog trials, agility, and puzzle toys that require problem-solving.
Care and traits
West Highland White Terriers have a hard, straight, white double coat coat. Origin: Scotland (Western Highlands).
The Cesar dog food mascot is a Westie. Skin allergies affect a high percentage of the breed; it's almost expected rather than exceptional. Pulmonary fibrosis ('Westie lung disease') is a serious concern in older Westies.
Their small size makes them suitable for apartment living, but they still need daily outdoor exposure and socialization. Small dogs are vulnerable to injury from rough handling, falls from furniture, and confrontations with larger animals. Supervision around young children is essential.
Tools for West Highland White Terrier owners
Frequently asked questions
Expect to feed your West Highland White Terrier between 320 and 630 calories per day. A 18-pound individual falls near the middle of that range. Portion control is especially important because even small calorie surpluses add up quickly on a compact frame. Active dogs need more; seniors and less active individuals need less. Use our calorie calculator with your dog's actual weight for a personalized number.
Males typically weigh 15-22 lbs (6.8–10.0 kg). Females run lighter at 13-18 lbs (5.9–8.2 kg). Small dogs hide extra weight under their coat. Pick them up regularly and feel for rib coverage as your most reliable body condition check. Check body condition by feeling the ribs (they should be easy to find), viewing from above (waist should narrow behind the ribs), and from the side (abdomen should tuck up behind the ribcage).
If you own a West Highland White Terrier, skin allergies (atopic dermatitis) is the condition your vet will likely screen for first. Talk to your vet about screening options and early detection strategies for skin allergies (atopic dermatitis). Other conditions seen in the breed include patellar luxation, craniomandibular osteopathy, legg-calve-perthes disease. Regular vet visits with breed-specific screening catch problems when they are most treatable.
About 30 to 45 minutes of daily activity keeps a West Highland White Terrier in good shape. Good activities for this breed include digging games, earth dog trials, fetch. Indoor play and training sessions count as legitimate exercise for dogs this size. While not as demanding as high-energy breeds, a West Highland White Terrier that gets no exercise will gain weight and may develop behavioral issues.
Disclaimer: General breed information based on AKC standards and veterinary sources. Individual dogs vary. Calorie estimates use the RER/MER formula (NRC 2006). Consult your veterinarian for advice specific to your dog. See our sources.
Last reviewed: April 1, 2026