Dog breed comparison
Scottish Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier
How the two compare on size, temperament, training, grooming and health, and which suits your home. The West Highland White Terrier tends to live about 2 years longer.
At a glance
Side by side.
| Trait | Scottish Terrier | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Terrier Dogs | Terrier Dogs |
| Size | Small | Small |
| Height | Up to 10 inches | 10 to 11 inches |
| Weight | 18 to 22 pounds | 13 to 22 pounds |
| Life span | 11 to 13 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Energy | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Easy to train | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Easy to groom | ||
| Barking | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| First-time owners | ||
| Copes alone | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Ratings are 1 to 5, from our breed database. Every pet is an individual.
Background
Where they come from.
The Scottish Terrier
A Highland terrier bred to dig out foxes and badgers. Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottie, Fala, is one of the most famous presidential pets.
Scotties have a higher-than-average risk of bladder cancer, so report blood in the urine promptly.
Health to watch
- Bladder cancer
- Scottie cramp
- Von Willebrand's disease
- Craniomandibular osteopathy
The West Highland White Terrier
A Scottish terrier from Poltalloch, bred by Colonel Edward Malcolm, who wanted white terriers so hunters wouldn't mistake them for foxes.
Westies are prone to skin allergies and a lung disease called westie lung.
Health to watch
- Atopic dermatitis
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Craniomandibular osteopathy
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Key differences
Where they differ most.
Easy to train
The West Highland White Terrier is easier to train than the Scottish Terrier.
Shedding
The West Highland White Terrier sheds more than the Scottish Terrier.
First-time owners
The West Highland White Terrier suits first-time owners better than the Scottish Terrier.
Good with other dogs
The West Highland White Terrier gets on better with other dogs than the Scottish Terrier.
Friendly with strangers
The Scottish Terrier is friendlier with strangers than the West Highland White Terrier.
Easy to groom
The West Highland White Terrier is easier to groom than the Scottish Terrier.
Which to choose
Scottish Terrier or West Highland White Terrier?
Choose the Scottish Terrier if…
- You want a dog that sheds less
- You have lots of visitors (it is friendlier with strangers)
- You want a dog that copes better when left alone
- You want a dog that tends to have fewer health problems
Choose the West Highland White Terrier if…
- You want a dog that is easier to train
- You want a dog that suits first-time owners better
- You want a dog that gets on better with other dogs
- You want a more watchful dog (it is more reserved with strangers)
Questions.
Is the Scottish Terrier or the West Highland White Terrier bigger, and which lives longer?
The West Highland White Terrier tends to live about 2 years longer. Individual pets vary, so meet the parents or the pet where you can.
Which is easier to train, the Scottish Terrier or the West Highland White Terrier?
The West Highland White Terrier is generally easier to train than the Scottish Terrier. Short, positive, reward-based sessions work best for both.
Which is better for families, the Scottish Terrier or the West Highland White Terrier?
Both are usually good with children when well socialised. Always supervise young children with any pet.
Which sheds less?
The Scottish Terrier sheds less than the West Highland White Terrier. No breed is completely hair-free; regular brushing helps with both.
What health problems do the Scottish Terrier and West Highland White Terrier have?
The Scottish Terrier is prone to bladder cancer, Scottie cramp, von Willebrand's disease. The West Highland White Terrier is prone to atopic dermatitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, craniomandibular osteopathy. Both share a risk of craniomandibular osteopathy. Ask any breeder for the parents' health test results.
