West Highland White Terrier price is a key factor if you’re in the market for this dog breed. We’ll delve into the details of the price of Westie in a little bit but first, it's important to understand more about this dog before you decide to buy one.
For instance, if everything else about the West Highland White Terrier temperament matches what you want in a dog, you may not mind paying a higher price.
If, however, you decide that the negatives outweigh the positives, then you may want to visit some of the other dog breeds out there.
So, without further ado, let’s investigate the aspects of what exactly makes the West Highland White Terrier tick.
West Highland White Terrier Temperament and Personality
The West Highland White Terrier is an alert and active little dog.
He’s a surprisingly good guard dog, despite his smaller size, and he loves to bark – especially if he perceives a threat coming onto his property.
He’s a very independent little dog, but this can get out of hand if you’re not firm with his training.
Small Dog Syndrome (SDS) is a common concern for this breed. This is when smaller dogs become mean little things because their owners let them get away with bad behavior.
Owners often think, what harm could a little dog this size do? However, a dog with SDS can do plenty, from biting and snapping at people to acting defensively if someone approaches his food dish.
If, however, you raise him properly, you can expect the Westie to develop into quite the friendly little dog.
He tends to chase other animals, though, so be sure to keep him on a leash when you bring him on a walk or to the dog park.
The West Highland White Terrier, Up Close
West Highland White Terriers originate from the Scottish White Terriers of the 1500s.
During those times, people actually believed that white dogs were weaker than dogs who had some color in their coats.
The popularity of white dogs rose, however, when people realized this was an evolutionary trait and something they could not avoid.
People went from doing all they could to dissociate themselves with white dogs to tolerating and even loving them. Now, Westies are a decently popular breed on both sides of the Atlantic.
West Highland White Terrier Size
The height of a full-grown West Highland White Terrier falls, on average, between 9 and 12 inches tall.
As for weight, the Westie is typically between 15 and 20 lbs. as an adult.
Therefore, because the Westie is so tiny, you don’t have to worry as much about food costs.
West Highland White Terrier Price – How Much Do West Highland White Terriers Cost?
And now for the answer to the question you’ve been asking all along: what is the West Highland White Terrier puppy price?
Hopefully, you’re sitting down, because the average price of one of these tiny dogs can be anywhere between $1,500 to upwards of $5,200.
There are, of course, a number of reasons why the price can fluctuate so much.
Is the puppy you’re interested in the child of a show dog? Is the breed popular in your area? Being a rare breed in your area can be a concern as well.
All of these things, and more work together to determine the cost a breeder will set for the pups in her litter.
Demand
The Westie is more than likely less expensive here in the U.S. than he is in the U.K.
That’s because in the U.K. he is actually the third most popular dog breed in the entire country!
Here in the U.S., the AKC ranks him at 42 out of 191 recognized dog breeds.
Because he’s not super in demand, it may be more difficult to find one of these pups.
However, with a rank of 42, he’s not what you might consider “rare” either. So, prices for this breed may run on the lower end of the average here in the U.S.
West Highland White Terrier Rescue and Adoption
If the price of a Westie is just too much to bear, but you really need one in your life, perhaps consider adopting or rescuing one of these snowballs.
If you’re not sure where to go to find a reputable organization, you can check out the website for the West Highland White Terrier Club of America.
This organization devotes itself to the Westie breed and wants to help them in any way they can.
Therefore, you can trust them to provide you with a list of reputable organizations from which you can adopt or rescue one of these precious pups.
Some important things to keep in mind with a rescue dog is that the shelter may not have a record of the dog’s history.
Therefore, it may be necessary to get the dog some professional training, especially if he has issues with behavioral problems like chewing or separation anxiety.
West Highland White Terrier Cost of Ownership
One mistake many dog owners make before they become dog owners is that they forget to consider the bigger picture.
There’s a lot more that goes into paying for a dog than just his sticker price.
Cost of Food
With certain larger breeds, like a Great Dane for instance, the price of food each month can certainly be a concern.
For a dog the size of a Westie, however, you don’t need to worry as much about depleting your bank account on dog food every month.
Because a bag of dog food will last much longer when you’re feeding a smaller dog, you can also afford to buy the better stuff.
No matter the breed, you should never cheap out with the inexpensive stuff. If you’re not paying the extra now, you will be later – in vet bills.
Plus, consider your dog and how he feels. He’d much rather feel healthier on a high-quality diet than getting meds for health conditions resulting from his food.
Health Care Expenses
Knowing the health conditions that can affect the West Highland White Terrier before you buy is one of the smartest things you can do.
This way, you not only know what to look out for, but you can start preparing financially as well.
Here are some of the more common maladies that tend to affect this breed:
- Skin disorders
- Globoid cell leukodystrophy (a neurological disease that causes tremors, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking)
- “White Dog Shaker Syndrome” (another neurological condition involving tremors and muscle coordination problems – worse for males than females)
As you can see, the disorders that tend to affect the Westie are long-term.
This means that if your dog develops one of these conditions, you may be paying for his medical care for life.
This is something you need to weigh before you ultimately commit to bringing home a dog from this breed.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Training Programs
Many people can, and do, train their own dogs, but sometimes you need a little help.
That’s where a professional trainer comes in. However, trainers are an additional cost that you might not have planned for.
For instance, while it might not be a problem for such a little dog, you may still not want your dog jumping up on everyone who comes through the door.
Ultimately, you have to decide if you truly need to pay for a training program.
With any breed, persistence and consistency are key. You have to make sure you stay on top of it with this breed, though, so he doesn’t develop SDS.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: if you agree that your health and your dog's health should be a top priority then get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health. Your doggy friend will love you for it. This guide will help save you money, time and most of all help you keep your dog healthy.
Grooming Costs
Grooming is something else you should be able to do on your own.
However, if you don’t have the patience for it or the time, then you should consider bringing your dog to a groomer to keep him looking his best.
This is especially true for Terriers, who need their coats “stripped.” In other words, you need to pluck the dead hair out of his coat by hand.
Giving your dog a haircut is something you should NOT attempt yourself. If you cut his coat the wrong way, it could suffer permanent damage.
Therefore, if you’re interested in giving your pup a cut, you should budget for visiting the groomer every four to six weeks.
Final Thoughts on the West Highland White Terrier Price
Now that you know all you need to know about the West Highland White Terrier, does the price seem like one you would still pay?
The Westie is a bold and friendly little dog. However, he’s also pretty expensive, so you really need to be sure you want this breed before you lay out the cash.
He should be pretty easy to train, so long as you keep up on it. You don’t want him developing SDS and becoming a mean little thing.
Thankfully, the Westie is not a concern insofar as food is concerned.
However, he can be quite the chore to groom, especially when he requires a haircut.
Therefore, while you may want a trainer, you’ll probably need a professional groomer, and you should budget accordingly.
Calvin is the co-founder and one of the main contributors to dogtemperament.com. He has been an avid dog lover all his life. He enjoys researching and sharing great ideas on how you can avoid common pitfalls of dog ownership and build the most loving and enjoyable relationship with your dog.
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