About this breed
The breed was developed from Cairn terrier ancestry and it was the Malcolms of Poltalloch in Argyllshire who developed a white strain of Cairns in the mid 19th century. Many breeders of Cairns had been in the practice of culling white puppies but the Malcolms asserted that they were easier to see when working on the moors. The West Highland White was eventually developed to become a little shorter in the body and with a higher tail carriage than the Cairn.
Early names for the breed were the Poltalloch terrier, and the Roseneath terrier – after a strain developed on the Duke of Argyll's Roseneath Estate.
Recognised by The Kennel Club in 1907, the West Highland White remains one of the most popular breeds in the group.
Images for this breed
The Terrier breed group
Dogs originally bred and used for hunting vermin. 'Terrier' comes from the Latin word Terra, meaning earth. This hardy collection of dogs were selectively bred to be extremely brave and tough, and to pursue fox, badger, rat and otter (to name but a few) above and below ground. Dogs of terrier type have been known here since ancient times, and as early as the Middle Ages, these game breeds were portrayed by writers and painters.
Colour watch
Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.
Read more about Colour Watch.
Breed Standard colours
Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.
Breed standard colours in this breed include:
- White
Other colour/s
'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.
Non-breed-standard colours
Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.
Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.
Health
Whether you're considering buying a West Highland White Terrier puppy or breeding from your dog, it's important to understand the health issues that may affect the breed and how they can be managed or avoided.
Pre-breeding Health Screening
At this time this breed does not have any recommended pre-breeding health screening in place, however breeders and puppy buyers should check frequently as this may change once new evidence and research becomes available.
This breed can be affected by conformational concerns, more information can be found here
Find out about a particular dog's results
Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed or Activity Register.
You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.
DNA Testing Services
We don’t currently offer a breed-specific DNA testing package for this breed, but we have a wide selection of individual DNA tests available. To find out more and view our full selection, click here
The breeding for health framework
Throughout 2025 we ran a major review of our pedigree dog health work, from which we have developed a new model called the breeding for health framework.
This framework covers all aspects of health and welfare that should influence breeding decisions for any breed or type of dog, building on from our previous Breed Health and Conservation Plans, and is broken down into three main areas of health:
- inbreeding/ genetic diversity
- conformation
- breed-related disease/ wellbeing
By applying the breeding for health framework, we can group all the breeds that share a certain issue together, so that we can provide targeted support and breed communities can share relevant experiences and expertise. All previous actions and priorities from the Breed Health and Conservation Plans are being transitioned into the new framework.
You can read more about the breeding for health framework here, and watch this space as we update and progress this framework to apply to your breed
More about health
Have any questions about health in your breed?
If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.
Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.
To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email
Health and Breeding Support Team (The Kennel Club)
Breed watch
Category 2
Particular points of concern for individual breeds may include features not specifically highlighted in the breed standard including current issues. In some breeds, features may be listed which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future.
Breeding restrictions
There are a number of The Kennel Club rules and regulations that may prevent a litter from being registered, find out about our general and breed specific breeding restrictions below.
More about breeding
There are not currently any additional breed specific restrictions in place for this breed.
Looking for a puppy?
Looking for a West Highland White Terrier? Explore our list of puppies and rescue dogs for sale near you.
More information
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