Breed facts
| FCI group | Group 3: Terriers |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Weight | 7–10 kg |
| Height | 25–30 cm |
| Life expectancy | 12–16 years |
Temperament
Cheerful, confident and playful, it likes company. Stubborn and a keen ratter.
History
A Scottish terrier bred to hunt small animals; the white colour was chosen so it was easy to see.
Fun facts
It is said the white colour stopped it being mistaken for the quarry in the burrows.
The West Highland White Terrier coat
A wiry, harsh coat with a softer undercoat. It needs its own techniques to keep texture and colour.
A white, wiry coat: hand stripping keeps the texture and whiteness, and the skin is prone to allergies.
What we do in the salon
To keep the texture of a wiry coat, hand stripping (manual removal of dead hair) is ideal. When a more practical option is preferred, we clip, knowing the coat will become softer and may change colour over time. Includes bath and conditioning.
Recommended services
- Hand strippingabout 2 h
- Clipper & scissor trimabout 2 h
- Bathabout 1 h
How often?
| Bath | every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Cut / upkeep | Hand stripping 3 to 4 times a year, or a clipper trim every 6 to 8 weeks. |
Care at home between visits
- Brush once or twice a week with a firm-bristle brush.
- Avoid very frequent baths, which soften the coat.
- Wipe the beard and muzzle after meals.
- Agree with the salon on the best time for hand stripping.
Frequently asked questions about the West Highland White Terrier
Does the West Highland White Terrier shed a lot?
It sheds little. Even so, the coat can tangle or build up, so it should be brushed regularly.
How often should I bring my West Highland White Terrier to the salon?
In general, a bath every 4 to 6 weeks. Hand stripping 3 to 4 times a year, or a clipper trim every 6 to 8 weeks. It depends on the coat, the cut you like and the condition of the coat: we will advise you at the first visit.
How long do a bath and a clip take?
When you book online, 1 hour is reserved for a bath and 2 hours for a clip, scissor cut or hand stripping. Very dense coats or large breeds may need more time: talk to us.
What is hand stripping?
It is the manual removal of dead hair, which keeps the texture and colour of a wiry coat. That is why it is the recommended technique for these breeds.
Weight and height values are approximate and vary from dog to dog. Based on FCI standards and public breed profiles; care text: DogsClub. Last updated: October 2026.