There do exist many stories about the “birth” of
this breed, originating from Scotland.
The Westie is offspring of the old
“hunting terriers of Scotland”. Many details got lost in the fogs of the high
mountains of Scotland, however, there is little doubt that three breed-lines contributed
to the appearance of this new breed.
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the White Sky Terrier of
the Duke of Argill |
| * |
the white Scottish Terrier of Dr. Flaxman |
| * |
the Poltalloch Terrier of Coronel Malcolm |
Up
to 19th century breeders and hunters
considered that puppies with white fur where
weaker because it was quite common that many of them
died shortly after being born and therefor supposed to be less apt to hunt and exterminate the rodents and foxes
of the region. In fact most white dogs where
eliminated from breeding..
Without an
accident, this habit probably never
would have been abandoned. According to “history”, the Westie survived thanks to
Coronel Malcolm who, during a hunting expedition, accidently shot at his most loved dog
with dark and reddish coat, mistaking him
for a
fox. From that day on Coronel
Malcolm selected for breeding animals with clearer coats since they where better visible
and distinquished easier from foliage and prey.
It certainlly took many years to
obtain animals with a white
coat. These white dogs where called Poltalloch
Terrier, later White Scottish Terrier, White Sky Terrier and, in regard
to the considerable contribution in breeding white
terrier of the Duke of Argyll, Roseneath Terrier.
There does exist in fact
discusión, which of the
three breeds mentioned above contributed more to today’s Westie who was recognized as
a new breed as early as 1907 by the Kennel Club of England.
It was Coronel Malcolm who proposed the name which we
know today fot these little white ones from Scotland – however - he never tired to insist that he did not develop
the breed but only paid attention to the qualities of this white terrier with a relativly
short muzzle and a very powerful bite who already existed in Scotland for several hundreds
of years.
The typical Westies shoes two countenances :
One
of extraordinary charme, a very joyful behavier, being an ideal companion for children, at
the same time very alert, intelligent and unafraid. The
other of a vigorous and fearless dog with a very expressive self –
confidence. |
