West Highland White Terriers, commonly known as Westies, are a breed of dog known for their distinctive white coat. Originating in Scotland, the breed was used to seek and dig out foxes and badgers. This breed is commonly recognized through its use as a mascot for Black & White (a brand of Scotch whisky), Cesar brand dog food, and various other logos.

Appearance

Commonly, Westies have bright, deep-set eyes that are dark in color. Their ears are small, pointed, and erect.  A male typically weighs between 15 and 20 pounds and a female between 13 and 16 pounds average height is 9 to 11 inches  The Kennel Club has recommended that their tails, typically "carrot-shaped", should never be docked; hence the tail should be between 5–6 inches.
They also have deep chests, muscular limbs, a huge skull, a short and a closely fitted jaw with "scissors" bite (lower canines locked in front of upper canines, upper incisors locked over lower incisors). Their teeth generally appear quite large for the size of the dog. Westies have a very strong bone structure for their size.

Care  

They have a soft, dense undercoat and a rough outer coat, about 2 inches long, that requires regular grooming.  This breed in a non-shedding dog.
Westies are prone to allergies and dry skin problems, and bathing too frequently may aggravate these problems. (Some veterinary’s say that Rice and Lamb  food seems to work the best to also help with skin allergies.)  Washing once a month or on a longer interval will generally not cause problems. However, frequent brushings are needed to keep the coat clean and oils evenly distributed throughout the coat. Washing with a detergent-free, baby-oriented, or another soft skin shampoo will help keep a Westie's skin hydrated. Weekly washing of the inside of the ears with cotton balls will prevent oil and wax build-up and ear infections. Water in the ears must be removed before an infection develops. Westies should be groomed at least every two months, and bathed and brushed as needed between appointments.

Personality

West Highland Terriers have intelligence and personality to spare. They are intrepid, gallant little dogs, but this in no way diminishes their affectionate nature. They're as happy sleeping at the foot of your bed as hunting Scottish badgers underground. If you want a big hearted dog in a small package, you can't do better than a West Highland Terrier.

Health

As with most other dogs, Westies generally require around thirteen hours of sleep per day. In order to accrue their needed sleep, Westies will usually follow the sleep patterns of their human companions and also take several naps during the day. Westies can live up to 15 years.