# West Highland White Terrier

> According to allpets.ai data | Source: allpets.ai

## Basic Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Species | Dog |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Size Category | Small |

## Vital Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 6.8–10 kg |
| Height Range | 25–28 cm |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Puppy/Kitten Stage Ends | 12 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 10 years |

## Puppy/Kitten Development
- **Neonatal Weight**: 176–224 g
- **Growth Notes**: Monitor for craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO) during growth. Ensure proper socialization to prevent terrier tenacity issues.
- **Vaccine Schedule**: {"start_weeks": 6, "series_count": 4, "core_vaccines": "CDV; CAV-1; CAV-2; CPV-2", "socialization_end_weeks": 16}

## Adult Preventive Care
- **Exercise Needs**: Moderate
- **Grooming**: High
- **Annual Exam Focus**: Cardiac auscultation; Eye exam; Joint palpation; Skin and coat evaluation; Dental exam
- **Routine Care**: Monitor for signs of Addison's disease, diabetes, and kidney issues. Regular bi-annual exams are crucial. Watch for joint pain, vision changes, and manage weight to prevent arthritis.

## Health Predispositions
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atopic Dermatitis | Adult | High | No | No |
| Luxating Patella | Juvenile | High | No | No |
| Addison's Disease | Adult | High | No | No |
| Hip Dysplasia | Adult | High | Yes | Yes |
| Patellar Luxation | Adult | High | Yes | Yes |
| Craniomandibular Osteopathy | Adult | High | Yes | Yes |
| Eye Conditions | Adult | High | Yes | Yes |

## Obesity Management
- **Risk Level**: High
- **Ideal BCS**: 5/9
- **Visual Cues**: Ribs easily palpable with slight fat covering; visible waist from above; abdominal tuck visible from side. Westies have dense coats that can hide weight gain, so hands-on checks are essential.
- **Daily Activity Target**: 60 minutes
- **Caloric Formula**: {"daily_kcal_per_kg": 51, "RER_factor": 70, "activity_multiplier": 1.6}

## Breeding & Genetics
- **Litter Size**: 2–5
- **Dystocia Risk**: High
- **CHIC Required Tests**: Eye Examination; Hip Dysplasia; Patellar Luxation; Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO)
- **Recommended DNA Tests**: Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GLD); Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD); Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)

## Behavioral Ethogram
- **Locomotion**: Energetic trotting; Quick directional changes; Pouncing; Digging motions; Zoomies/FRAPs
- **Social**: Play bow solicitation; Alert greeting; Jumping up to greet; Leaning against owner
- **Comfort**: Circling before lying; Shaking off; Stretching; Self-grooming
- **Stress/Displacement**: Lip licking; Yawning; Pacing; Whale eye; Avoidance/turning away
- **Breed-Specific**: Earthdog digging; High prey drive chasing; Shaking prey objects; Alert stance with erect ears

## Vocalization Baseline
- **Types**: Bark (alert); Bark (play); Growl; Whine
- **Frequency Range**: 500-2000
- **Tendency**: High
- **Primary Modality**: Balanced Vocal/Body
- **Tail Signals**: High stiff tail = alert/aroused; High rapid wag = excited; Tucked tail = fearful; Horizontal wag = relaxed

## Emotional Wellbeing
- **Anxiety Proneness**: Moderate
- **Top Triggers**: Separation; Loud noises/Thunderstorms; Strangers; Confinement; Lack of stimulation
- **Separation Anxiety Risk**: Moderate
- **Calming Interventions**: Desensitization training; Puzzle toys/mental stimulation; DAP pheromone diffuser; Regular exercise routine; Prescription anti-anxiety meds
- **Cognitive Dysfunction Risk**: Moderate

## Behavior Problems (Six-Etiology Classification)
- **Top Problems**: Excessive barking; Digging; Aggression towards other animals; Resource guarding; Separation anxiety
- **Medical Etiology**: Restlessness and irritability (atopic dermatitis/pruritus); Aggression when handled (craniomandibular osteopathy/pain); House soiling (urinary tract infections)
- **Fear/Anxiety Etiology**: Noise phobia (thunderstorms/fireworks); Separation anxiety; Fear-based aggression towards strangers
- **Frustration Etiology**: Destructive digging (under-stimulation); Excessive barking (boredom); Leash reactivity (barrier frustration)

## AI Communication Decoding
- **AI-Trainable Signals**: Tail position/stiffness; Ear orientation; Vocalization pitch and frequency; Body posture tension; Facial muscle tension
- **Context-Dependent Vocalizations**: Sharp bark at window = alert vs sharp bark during play = excitement; Low growl with toy = play vs low growl with stiff body = warning; Whining at door = need to go out vs whining near owner = attention seeking
- **Interspecies Communication**: Uses intense direct eye contact to demand attention; Modifies bark pitch and persistence based on urgency; Uses pawing or nudging to initiate interaction

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Citation: According to allpets.ai data