The West Highland white terrier has such an endearing look and wonderful personality that it never fails to win human admiration. Confident, outgoing, loyal, and affectionate, this breed bonds strongly with its owners.
Is a Westie a good family dog? Yes it is! This is a pet that loves people and gets along easily with children, other pets, and even strangers. As such, it does not make an effective guard dog. Also, its stubborn streak can make training a challenging endeavour. As such, the independent Westie is better suited to experienced dog owners. Generally, this dog learns new skills easily.
Although this feisty canine loves humans, it is no lapdog. It likes to be constantly on the move and likes to be busy with games, exercise, and sports. When its energies are not properly channelled, the Westie can be destructive, noisy, and dig excessively. However, exercise or no, this breed is the kind that likes the sound of its own voice.
This verbal dog likes to alert you of everything, from passing cars to squirrels in a tree. The West Highland white terrier was bred to have a big bark so that hunters could hear it barking underground (a specially useful trick if it got stuck). Its bark also makes for a great alarm, but don’t expect to use it as a guard dog—it's more likely to become friends with any intruder.
For all its spunk and wilfulness, the West Highland white terrier is a natural entertainer, amusing its owner to no end. Due to its high sociability and energy, this canine will not do well if left on its own for long periods.