Originally bred to capture small rodents, today the Central Highlands white terrier is known to win the hearts of any dog lover. The breed is so loved that they’re celebrated every year with their own dedicated pet holiday: National Westie Day!
When is Westie Independence Day?
National Westie Day is celebrated every year on March 20. The date was chosen in memory of Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm, who died on that day in 1930.
The 16th Laird of MacCullum-Malcolm played a prominent role in the development of the Highland White Terrier.
Interesting facts about Westie
To mark the occasion, we found out some interesting facts about Westie.
Westie’s coat color
True to the name of this breed, the Central Highlands white terrier has only one coat color. This chosen shade can be traced back to the 1600s, when Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch fatally shot his dark-haired terrier, mistaking his four-legged hunting companion for a fox.
Long live Westie!
The life expectancy of the Central Highlands white terrier ranges from 12 to 16 years.
The average female Highland White Terrier weighs 13 to 1 pound and is about 9-11 inches tall, while males typically weigh 15-22 pounds and are 10-12 inches tall.
What’s in a name?
Before being dubbed the West Highland Terrier, Westie was known by two other names. Since the breed originated through the efforts of Edward Donald Malcolm, the 16th Laird of Poltalloch, the Westie was first called Poltalloch Terrier. When Laird refused the honor, Westies was renamed rose terrierafter the Duke of Argyll’s estate in Dumbartonshire.
While the West Highland White Terrier certainly holds the number one spot in the heart of anyone lucky enough to welcome a member of the breed into their heart and home, the Westie ranks 46th on the list. American Kennel Club’s most loved dog breeds of 2021. popular dog breeds.
In 1976 a Westie named Dianthus button took home Best in Show at Crufts, a feat that wouldn’t happen again until the Olac Moon Pilot stood atop the podium in 1990. Fans of the breed will have to wait until then. Burneze Girl Geordie in 2016 to see another Highland white terrier win the top title.
Known to dog lovers for his hot air balloon sculptures, artist Jeff Koons created “Puppy,” a Westie in the form of a flower sculpture, in 1992. The world’s largest bonsai sculpture, “The Puppy” is located outside Spain’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
Westies Famous Pet Parents
Jennifer Aniston– Since 2011, Friend the star has a tattoo of the name Norman (her late western dog companion) on the inside of her right foot.
Joan Caufield— Starring on the big screen alongside Hollywood heavyweights BIng Crosby, Fred Astaire and William Holden, Joan Caufield’s off-screen co-star was a dog named Witty. Westie even enjoyed a moment of attention alongside the actress in the 1944 issue of Life magazine.
Lillian Gish— During a visit to Scotland, the silent film star received a Westie from Sir Ian Malcolm. In his honor, she named the dog Malcolm.
Cary Level— The male lead in Hollywood hit movies like suspect, To catch a thief And A Love To Remember also starred in the lives of Westies, Archie and Cholmondeley.
Robert Pattinson— The Twilight and Batman star grew up with a Westie named Patty, whom he says he considers “like his sister.”
JK Rowling— The creator of the Harry Potter phenomenon reached out to a fellow author for inspiration for her name Westie, who replied to Anne in honor of Anne Bronte.
Christian Serratos— During her days playing Angela in the Twilight series, The Walking Dead star and Selena had a Westie puppy named Bolt as a four-legged friend.
Famous Westies
Did you know that the logo of Juicy Couture Fashion house consisting of two Westies?
The West Highland White Terrier is the face of Cesar Canine Cuisine.
Although this famous Fido is actually the Skye Terrier, in the 2005 movie Greyfriars Bobby who wags his tail in the lead role is played by a highland white terrier.
The main character in the series of children’s books by author Rosemary Wells. McGruff book is a Westie.
Cunninga Highland/Jack Russell terrier rescued from the Dogs Trust, played Buddy for many years on the beloved British series Dr. Martin.
A Westie named Olivia share screen time with Viola Davis in thriller widowJason Bateman in action comedy Game night and Debby Ryan in the Netflix TV series no limit.
Adopting a white terrier in the Central Highlands
If you’d like to welcome a rescued purebred Westie into your heart and home, you can contact one of the nation’s dedicated pet adoption networks, such as: like Westie’s Rescue Network or Westie National Networkit was a committee of American Highland White Terrier Club.
If you are interested in adopting a purebred or mixed Westie, contact local rescue organizations in your area.
You can search for acceptable Westies online at:
More pet vacations than you can enjoy
We have hundreds of days, weeks and months of dog awareness in Pet holiday schedule include:
National Yorkshire Terrier Day
Pin to remember!
