DogsLifeBreed profile
West Highland White Terrier: size, sleep, exercise and care
The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, is a small, sturdy terrier of about 25–28 cm and 7–9 kg (AKC) with a harsh white coat. It is lively, cheerful and loyal, with a big terrier personality.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Adult weight
- 7–9 kg
- Height at the shoulder
- 25–28 cm
- Life expectancy
- 13–15 years
- Exercise needs
- Moderate · 30–60 min per day
Sleep needs
Typical total sleep per 24 hours, including naps.
| Puppy | Adult | Senior |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 h | 12–14 h | 12–15 h |
These are general life-stage ranges for dogs from the AKC and Hill's Pet Nutrition; no kennel club publishes sleep figures for the West Highland White Terrier specifically. Westies are busy, curious dogs; a puppy may need help settling, such as a covered crate and a quiet room at nap time.
Exercise needs
The Royal Kennel Club guideline is up to an hour of exercise a day. Westies enjoy exploring, sniffing and digging, so varied walks and scent games suit them. Like most terriers they can be keen chasers; practise recall before letting them off lead.
Potty training
Westie puppies can be independent, so make potty breaks frequent and predictable: on waking, after meals, after play and before bed. Go out with the puppy, stay quiet until it has finished, then reward.
Use a crate or puppy pen when you cannot supervise. A puppy potty schedule helps you set intervals that match the puppy's age.
Puppy potty schedule calculator →
Feeding
Puppies usually get three or four meals a day, adults two. SKK notes that skin problems occur in the breed; if your Westie scratches, licks its paws or has recurring ear trouble, talk to your vet before changing foods, as diet trials need to be planned properly.
Westie skin and coat stay healthiest on a steady diet without frequent changes, and with weight kept in check.
Frequently asked questions
How much exercise does a Westie need?
Up to about an hour a day according to the Royal Kennel Club, with sniffing and exploring as part of the walk.
How long do Westies live?
The AKC gives 13–15 years, and SKK notes that 12–15 years is not unusual.
Sources
- West Highland White Terrier dog breed information — American Kennel Club
- West highland white terrier – rasbeskrivning — Svenska Kennelklubben (SKK)
- West Highland White Terrier breed information — The Royal Kennel Club
- How Much Do Puppies Sleep? — American Kennel Club
- How Much Should My Dog Sleep Per Day? — Hill's Pet Nutrition
- Can Senior Dogs Sleep Too Much? How Much Should Older Dogs Sleep? — American Kennel Club
- How to Potty Train a Puppy — American Kennel Club