What is the difference between westies and scotties

All purebred dogs are prone to certain genetic issues. For the Westie, one of the most common is atopic dermatitis, skin allergies that cause hair loss and constant scratching. Like many small dogs, Westies may suffer from slipped kneecaps, formally known as luxating patellas.

Scotties may develop Scottie cramp, a disorder peculiar to the breed that affects their ability to walk. It ranges from mild to serious. This shouldn't be confused with epileptic seizures, which also affect the Scottie. Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years.

In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications. Dog Breeds. By Jane Meggitt. Size The Westie, as his friends call him, matures between 10 and 11 inches tall at the shoulder. Coat The Westie's signature white hair consists of a double coat, with the outer coat consisting of 2-inch-long hair. Temperament The spunky little Westie is devoted to her family and friendly to strangers.

Their outer coats are hard and wiry, which is what protects them in the harsh Scottish elements. Their undercoats are soft and dense to keep them warm and insulated. Westies are almost always white , hence their name. And Scotties are black , brindle, or wheaten in color.

The personalities of both breeds are more different than they are similar. It is their differences that often help families choose between the two breeds. They are both loyal to their humans and love their families very much. Both dogs will settle down for a snooze and a cuddle in the evening and will follow your footsteps around the home. They are both terriers which means they are both fun-filled dogs.

Their high prey drive means they love to chase things , so games of fetch are likely to be a big hit. The Westie is always up for a silly game with his family. Their bright personalities are infectious. The Scottie is the more serious-minded of the two breeds. He likes to think of himself as the boss and takes his hourly perimeter check duty seriously. The Westie will take direction from his humans and is happy to be part of the part rather than the leader. Because of their strong prey drive, neither of these guys should be trusted to behave well around rodents or other smaller creatures.

The Westie is a super sociable pooch who loves to be the center of attention. This is no shy pup! He will make friends with anyone and everyone, including other dogs. He loves the company of children because they are just as silly as he is!

The Scottie, on the other hand, is a very aloof canine who is suspicious of strangers and not the biggest fan of unknown dogs. The Scottie is one of the top barkers after the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler.

Making him an awesome watchdog and deterrent to intruders. He also has no patience for overexcitable children and can get grumpy when pestered. So he is best paired with a family with older children.

Out of the two breeds, the Westie is the sweetest and more affectionate. Although Scotties are partial to a belly rub, they may also opt to sleep in their own beds rather than join you on the sofa. This means that the Westie is the more sensitive canine of the two. When it comes to their exercise needs, both dogs are very similar.

They are both working farm dogs with lots of mental energy and the need to hunt little furry creatures. Despite their small size, they both need between 45 and 60 minutes of exercise a day. This means they both need active families that can guarantee them their daily exercise. Invest in a basket full of doggy toys for both of them to keep them entertained. Toys that you can toss outdoors are great for interactive play. And chew toys for when they need to entertain themselves are ideal for burning up frustrated energy.

They will both chew up your possessions and dig up your flower beds if they are bored — you have been warned! As you know, these guys come from rugged Scotland. Meaning they will expect their outdoor adventures whatever the weather. Waterproofs and wellies will become a big part of your wardrobe. Otherwise, they are likely to disappear down a rabbit hole or chase squirrels into the middle of the road.

Use a long, training leash so that they can run further and explore. The training needs of both dogs are also very different. The Westie is an eager-to-please pup who will do anything for a yummy treat, praise, or a ball to chase. This makes training relatively simple, which is why he makes a great option for first-time dog owners. He is super stubborn and independent. This guy is born thinking he knows best, so he needs an experienced dog owner who will show him that he is not the top dog in the house.

Make training sessions short and fun, and make sure you are clear and consistent with your commands. Both of these guys will really benefit from crate training. The Westie because of his sensitive nature and the fact that he becomes anxious when left alone. And the Scottie because he likes to find somewhere to escape every now and then. The Scottie weighs between 19 and 23 pounds and is considered a small dog, while the Westie male weighs between 15 and 22 pounds while the female is between 13 and 16 pounds.

The average weights for the male and female Westie are Their heights are also similar, with the Scottie being between 10 and 11 inches and the Westie males being between 10 and 12 inches. Westie females can be anywhere from nine to 11 inches. Though neither animal sheds very much or at all, that is where their similarities end.

Plus, the Westie is always white, while the Scottie could be Wheaton black or Brindle silver red. Your pet will need to be groomed periodically.

However, the West Highland White Terrier will require much grooming and this also leads to a higher maintenance cost to keep the animal. Scotties tend to be alert, independent, playful, quick, and selfish. To combat that, these animals are easy to train. Of course, Scottish Terriers love to play, but they are a little more sensitive than others. Since Scotties are a social breed, so you will want to take them to dog parks and other areas where they will get to play with other dogs.

Westies, on the other hand, are often courageous, affectionate, independent, friendly, intelligent, and alert. Their intelligence rank is average when it comes to obedience, so they are just a bit easier to train than the Scottie.

Similar to the Scottie, the Westie is also quite sensitive. They may even get spooked more quickly than other breeds, such as during a storm. Primarily, you will find that the Westie is a vocal dog. They will bark at everything and anything. This means that you could have issues with the neighbors, depending on where you live.