Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – commonly called westie lung disease – is a condition where the lungs gradually scar, reducing their ability to exchange oxygen. It’s nearly exclusive to west highland white terriers, and it’s the breed-specific condition that worries most westie owners when they first hear about it. Here’s what you need to know: it’s … Read more
Craniomandibular osteopathy – commonly called “westie jaw” or CMO – is a condition where the jawbone grows abnormally in puppies, causing pain and difficulty eating. It typically appears between 4 and 8 months of age and is one of the few health conditions that primarily affects westies (along with Scottish terriers and cairn terriers). The … Read more
If your westie occasionally skips on a back leg, holds one leg up for a few steps, and then walks normally again, that’s most likely luxating patella – the kneecap slipping out of its normal groove. It’s one of the more common orthopedic issues in small breeds, and westies are among the predisposed. What It … Read more
Westies are considered seniors starting around age 8, though many stay active and sharp well beyond that. The shift isn’t sudden – it’s a gradual change in energy, recovery time, and what their body needs from you. The routines that worked at age 3 need adjusting, and the health monitoring that was annual becomes more … Read more
Westies live 12-16 years on average, with many reaching the upper end of that range when well cared for. That’s a solid lifespan for a small breed, and one of the things that makes westies such good long-term companions. Sami is around eight years old now. He’s in the middle of his life, still energetic, … Read more
A healthy adult westie weighs between 7 and 10 kg (15-22 lbs). Males tend toward the higher end, females toward the lower. But the number on the scale matters less than what you can feel with your hands. Run your fingers along your westie’s sides. You should be able to feel the ribs easily with … Read more
Westies are generally healthy dogs with a lifespan of 12-16 years. But they’re predisposed to several conditions that other breeds rarely face, and knowing what to watch for – and when – is the difference between catching something at stage one versus discovering it at stage three. None of this should scare you. Sami has … Read more