West Highland Terrier Weight Chart – Westie Size & Growth Chart
West Highland Terriers are strong, tough, confident, and adorable dogs. A West Highland Terrier weight chart can help you to predict the ultimate size.
They are sturdy and one of the most popular among small Terriers. They were initially bred to hunt rats and other underground rodents.
People who own West Highland Terriers say that they are loyal and get along well with the family.
Training them may prove to be a challenge because they are easily distracted by moving objects. But it is not impossible with a bit of patience and time because they are also highly intelligent.
They have a round appearance, but they are compact and athletic with their little black noses and scissor-like teeth.
They have dark brown eyes that are deep-set and wide apart. These dogs are beautiful and love their humans very much.
When Is A West Highland Terrier Fully Grown?
There are a lot of dog owners who believe that whenever a puppy has reached 12 months or 1-year-old, they are an adult, but this is not always the case.
The truth is that different dog breeds reach adulthood at different times, depending on the amount of development that must take place. There is also a difference between their maturity and adult size.
There are certain signs that you can look for to determine when your puppy has reached full maturity. This may come in the form of simple developmental milestones like their canines may grow to full size when they are between 12 and 18 months of age.
The West Highland Terrier is a smaller breed and will most likely reach full maturity between the six to eight-month time frame. However, they will continue to gain weight until they reach 12 months of age.
Westie Weight Chart
To better track the progress of your West Highland Terrier, we have formulated a West Highland Terrier growth chart so that you can estimate his future weight or gauge whether he is at a normal weight right now based on his age. Keep in mind that this will be an approximate weight.
This is an approximation because it shows the average scores of what West Highland Terriers have been known to weigh.
Please understand that there is a myriad of factors that can affect your dog’s weight. These include his diet, exercise habits, and genetics. So make sure that you follow along with the chart keeping in mind that it is simply a guide.
As your dog owner, you may be the best person to understand what his weight should be based on what is happening in his life at the moment.
There will be columns showing the age in months, so you need to have an accurate account of how old he is. If you are unsure you can check with your breeder to make sure you know precisely.
There will be a coinciding weight that goes along with the age but if you find that your dog is not exactly what is stated then you should not think too much of it.
What is most important is that your dog is healthy. If you notice anything strange you should immediately pay a visit to your veterinarian so that you can understand exactly what is happening with your West Highland Terrier.
West Highland Terrier Weight Chart
| Age | Male Weight (kg) | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Months | 3.1 - 4.3 kg | 6.8 - 9.6 lbs |
| 4 Months | 4.2 - 5.8 kg | 9.3 - 12.8 lbs |
| 5 Months | 4.8 - 7.1 kg | 10.6 - 15.6 lbs |
| 6 Months | 5.6 - 7.8 kg | 12.2 - 17.3 lbs |
| 7 Months | 6.2 - 8.7 kg | 13.7 - 19.2 lbs |
| 8 Months | 6.5 - 9.2 kg | 14.3 - 20.3 lbs |
| 9 Months | 6.7 - 9.5 kg | 14.8 - 20.9 lbs |
| 10 Months | 6.9 - 9.7 kg | 15.2 - 21.4 lbs |
| 11 Months | 7 - 9.9 kg | 15.4 - 21.8 lbs |
| 12 Months | 7 - 10 kg | 15.4 - 22 lbs |
Westie Growth Chart – What To Expect
Birth – 2 Weeks
Your West Highland Terrier puppy will be in a helpless state and require care and attention from his mother. She will be feeding him and providing him with warmth.
She will also lick him to clean him. This will continue during this time, and you can expect that he will be sleeping a lot as he needs to gain his strength.
Do your best to allow this process to happen without interfering too much but be there to facilitate the safety of these puppies and the mother.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
During this stage expect that many changes will occur. A major change will be in the area of weaning. Your West Highland Terrier will be making the switch from milk to solid foods.
During this stage, they will be exploring their environment as their eyes open and their muscles get stronger. They will demand a lot of your attention as they develop.
Expect that they will be full of energy and getting into mischief. West Highland Terriers are especially known for this as they have an exuberant personality. At the end of this stage, the females typically weigh around 2 to 3 kg while the males usually weigh around 3 to 4.5 kg.
4 Months – 9 Months
As your West Highland Terrier gets older, you can expect a little troublemaker on your hands. He may get into mischief like shredding paper that he gets his hands on.
He will be very enthusiastic as he chews on anything he can find around the house. You must pay attention to his diet as he develops. Females usually weigh around 4 to 6 kg while males will weigh 6 to 8 kg.
10 Months – 18 Months
Your West Highland Terrier usually completes growing during this time. At the one-year mark in particular. This does not mean that they will lose all of their puppy-like behavior as they may still get up to mischief.
At 1 year old, the females typically weigh between 6 and 7 kilograms while the males should weigh between 7 and 10 kilograms.
Adult
By this time your West Highland Terrier is a full adult and may start acting a bit more mature. As he starts to slow down you must adjust his diet accordingly.
One way that you know your dog has entered adulthood is the level of restraint exercises. He may start to settle down a bit more but that does not mean that he will lose all of his exuberance.
How Big Do West Highland Terriers Get?
There are a few things that you can do to accurately predict the size of your West Highland Terrier. But first, you must understand that with dogs, several deciding factors would determine their ultimate size.
Dogs are born into liters where some of them are big while others are small, so it may be impossible to pinpoint what their eventual size will be. That said you can use a few methods to make an educated guess.
One of the best things that you can do is to look at the parents of your West Highland Terrier if you do not know the size of the parents you should refer to your breeder who will most likely have this information.
You can also look at your dog’s paws. Dogs usually need to grow into their paws, which are larger than the rest of their body. So you know if he has large paws then he has more growing to do.
DNA tests are also an option as they clarify your dog’s genealogy so that you can make a more accurate guess. You can also refer to the weight chart within this article.
Will Neutering/Spaying My West Highland Terrier Affect His Growth?
If you decide that spaying or neutering your West Highland Terrier is what you want to do, then you should at least wait until 1 year old, because if you do this at an earlier age it may cause health problems within your dog.
For male dogs, in particular, spaying before they have reached the one-year mark can cause issues with their joints. This is because the testosterone in their bodies affects their growth.
Wait until they have done the amount of growth they need to do for their developments.
That said, there are also a few benefits to spaying or neutering such as preventing unwanted pregnancies as well as certain cancers within your dog.
But understand that any surgery comes with a level of risk. You also need to consider the after-surgery care that comes along with having your dog spayed or neutered.
West Highland Terrier Size Chart
It is a good idea to assess your West Highland Terriers’ health and development as he grows. One way that you can do this is by taking account of his weight and height. To measure your West Highland Terriers height there are a few things that you must do.
Your dog’s height is taken by measuring from the floor to his withers. His withers are simply the highest points of his shoulder blades.
Simply have him stand up straight and then drape your measuring tape from the floor to his withers in a straight line. Take a record of this height as he grows.
On average, male West Highland Terriers measure about 10-12 inches in height. The females stand at about 9-11 inches.
Bichon vs West Highland Terrier Size
The Bichon and the West Highland Terrier both weigh around the same. West Highland Terrier males weigh between 15 to 22 lbs, while females weigh between 13 to 16 pounds. The males stand up 10 to 12 inches while the females stand at 9 to 11 inches in height.
When it comes to the Bichon, both their males and females weigh 7 to 13 lb, but the males stand at 9 to 12 inches while the females stand at 9 to 11 inches.
West Highland Terriers originated from the United Kingdom while the Bichon Frise come from Spain. The Bichon Frise has a longer life span of about 3 years on average. They have roughly the same litter size but West Highland Terriers are a bit higher maintenance.
Factors That Affect West Highland Terrier Growth
Genetics & Gender
Female West Highland Terriers Center Grove less than the males and typically do not grow that’s much after the first season.
They also gain less muscle so remember this when it comes to weight gain. Genetics plays a role also in the growth of the West Highland Terrier since they take on genetic traits from their parents.
Nutrition
West Highland Terriers develop well when they are giving food of high quality. It doesn’t matter if you buy commercially manufactured food, or you decide to prepare it at home.
What is most important is that they receive a diet of high-quality animal protein along with healthy fats and lots of fiber. Also, remember that their diets should be catered to their age.
Usually, West Highland Terriers are active for most of their life but whenever you notice the climbs in their physical activity you should understand that their diet should be adjusted. They are smaller-sized dogs, so it is easy for them to pack on pounds.
Physical Activity & Health
Westies enjoy romping around and playing. They also enjoy long walks with their favorite humans. But be careful because they tend to chase after anything that moves, so keep an eye on them as you are working.
Remember they were bred to chase rodents and this behavior is still within them.
Consider a leash while you are walking them and make sure that your yard is fenced around. Engaging them in exercise will allow them to have strong and healthy bones and muscles.
What If My West Highland Terrier Is Not The Right Weight
You should always be looking at your West Highland Terrier to ensure that he is in proper health. One of the main signs of poor health is not having the right weight.
So if you notice that your West Highland Terrier is losing weight rapidly then you need to consult your vet as soon as possible.
Because of the West Highland Terriers fur, it may be difficult to notice minor weight changes. If you notice that you can see his ribs or feel them when you touch them through his fur, then he may be too thin.
On the flip side, if you run your hands along his ribs and are unable to feel anything but fat then you know that he is overweight.
You can also look at the spine which may be easier to see through his coat. If all else fails, just weigh your puppy and compare it to the weight chart within this article.
How Much Does It Cost To Own A West Highland Terrier?
If you want to purchase a West Highland Terrier puppy you may have to pay $650-$1,700 and the average price that you may spend for him would be around $1,000.
The expenses for his first year will be approximately $3,755 and around $1,170/year thereafter. For the entirety of your dog’s life, you would probably spend an average of $18,965.
These should cover the basic expenses for your dog’s needs, as well as supplies that would make him more comfortable. Anything other than this will cost you more. Keep in mind that West Highland Terriers have a lifespan of about 14 years.
West Highland Terrier Genetics And Common Health Problems
West Highland Terriers are usually healthy dogs. But responsible breeders usually screen them before giving them to their owners. Normally, they are screened for diseases like patella luxation and cardiac disease.
Make sure that you brush your Westie’s teeth very often with a toothpaste that is made for dogs. In addition, if you find that you are unable to give him all the nutrients that he needs, you can consider placing him on supplements so that he can be healthy.
Visit your vet regularly, so that you can get the proper information about controlling any parasites that may affect your West Highland Terrier.
Final Words
West Highland Terriers have long thick coats that must be maintained with regular grooming. If you are unable to do this yourself, then you should consider hiring a professional groomer.
It is always a bad situation when your dog’s hair is matted and difficult to come through. You should have his coat clipped so that it looks neat and well-kept. Even with a groomer, there is still upkeep that must be performed daily to keep his coat in good condition.
When it comes to training your West Highland Terrier, you should remember his origin and why he was bred. He is very intelligent and with the proper training, you can have a loyal companion for a long time.
