Westie Growth Chart – Size & Weight Chart

West Highland White Terriers are classified as small breeds and they are tough, strong, adorable, and confident dogs.

To monitor their growth and predict their final size, you should keep and follow a Westie growth chart.

Westies are popular among small terriers as they are sturdy, loyal, and make great family pets. Initially, they were bred to hunt underground rodents such as rats and mice.

Since they are easily distracted, training them can be a bit of a challenge but with time and patience, it can be achieved as they are very intelligent.

Continue reading to understand the growth of a Westie puppy and many more about how to take care of them.

When Do West Highland White Terriers Stop Growing?

Every dog is different and achieves their final growth in their own time. Generally, the West Highland White Terrier will stop growing by the age of 12 to 15 months.

They will reach their adult height earlier at around 8 to 9 months and continue building up muscle mass for the rest of the months.

However, they will not be emotionally and mentally mature by 12 months as they will still be exhibiting teenage behaviors until the age of two years when they behave like adults.

Feeding your Westie the right type of food that is specific to their breed will ensure that they have optimal growth.

Westie Growth Chart

A West Highland White Terrier weight chart will help you to track the progress of your puppy and estimate their adult weight or gauge whether their weight is normal according to their age.

You should remember that the figures in the weight chart are just an approximation and your Westie may weigh less or more.

Several factors can impact the growth of your Westie such as exercise habits, diet, health, and genetics. So, you can use the chart but also keep in mind that it is only meant to guide you.

As the owner, you are the best person to estimate your puppy’s weight as you know what is going on in their life.

The Westie growth chart has three columns, the first indicates age in months, the second one is weight in kg, and the third one is weight in pounds.

To use the chart you need to be sure about your puppy’s age as the specific ages of the first column have corresponding weights next to it, both in kgs and pounds.

If you are worried about your puppy’s weight, talk to your vet about it.

Westie Weight Chart

West Highland White Terrier Puppy Development Stages

Birth – 2 Weeks

From birth to two weeks your Westie puppy will need attention and care from their mother as they are helpless.

The mother will be providing the warmth as the puppy cannot regulate their body temperature and also provide them with food.

The mother’s milk contains all the nutrients that the puppy needs to grow in the first two weeks.

The mother’s job is to also clean the puppy after a poop. The puppy will be sleeping most of the time as they can’t see, move or hear.

3 Weeks – 12 Weeks

This is the stage where your Westie experiences a lot of growth and the main one being weaning.

At the age of around four weeks, you should start introducing puppy food to your Westie and by eight weeks they should be relying on solids for nutrition.

Since their eyes are now open and their muscles stronger, they will start exploring their surroundings and will demand more attention from you as they grow.

Expect your puppy to be getting into mischievous behavior and be full of energy as they are known for their exuberant personality.

4 Months – 9 Months

Your Westie has a lot of energy at this stage hence you should take them to more training and the park to use up their energy.

Socialization is also important when you let them interact with other people and pets.

Both socialization and training will enable your puppy to develop good habits and behavior which are important in their adulthood.

Your puppy is now mischievous and will be shredding any paper if they get their hands on it and will be chewing anything they find around the house.

10 Months – 18 Months

You Westie will be done growing during this period and would have achieved their adult weight and height which normally happens by the age of one year.

Even though they are transitioning into adulthood, they will have their puppy-like behavior, so expect your puppy to have more energy and still want to play with you.

Adult

As an adult, your Westie will start acting more like a mature dog and their growth will start slowing down.

This is the time to switch them from puppy food to adult food. the switching should be a 10-day process so that your Westie’s stomach can get used to the new food without having any issues.

Your puppy will settle down a bit more now in terms of energy but they will still require exercise to remain healthy and fit.

How Big Do West Highland White Terriers Get?

There are a few ways for estimating the adult size of your puppy, but you need to know that some factors can determine their final size as dogs are different.

Dogs are born into a litter and some are smaller while others are bigger, so it may be hard to determine their adult size. But you can use the following methods to find an estimate:

Looking at the parents is one of the best ways of predicting how big your puppy will be because physical traits are inherited. You can find the parent’s information from the breeder and you can estimate the adult size by calculating the average weight of both parents.

Your Puppy’s paws can also indicate whether your puppy has finished growing or not. The paws are always bigger than the rest of the body, so your puppy needs to grow into them.

If your puppy’s body is proportional to their paws, then your puppy has finished growing and have achieved their final weight.

A DNA test is another option to find your Westie’s genetic makeup to have an accurate prediction of their size based on the breed.

Following a West Highland White Terrier weight chart can also give you the final size of this breed.

West Highland White Terrier Size Chart

It is recommended that you assess the health and development of your West Highland White Terrier as they grow to help them if you notice any changes.

You can also use the height measurements to buy the right size of kennel door and enter your puppy into a competition.

The best way to achieve this is to measure the height of your puppy, by using the following simple steps.

Ensure that your Westie is standing on a flat surface such as a floor or table. If they cannot stand straight, get someone to help you hold them.

Then find their withers, which is the point between the shoulders and just below the neck. Finally, measure from the flat surface to the withers, and that is your puppy’s height.

Female Westies tend to be shorter than male Westies. Females stand at a height of about 9 to 11 inches while males stand at around 10 to 12 inches.

Will Neutering/Spaying My West Highland White Terrier Affect His Growth?

If you decide to neuter or spay your West Highland White Terrier, you should do it after they have reached one year old because their growth can be affected if you do it earlier.

Spaying or neutering means that the sex hormones are removed, and they are responsible for telling your dog’s growth plates to close.

So, if they are removed, your puppy will grow taller than the should. Therefore, you should wait until they have reached their adult weight to do these procedures.

There are a few benefits that come with neutering or spaying your Westie such as preventing certain types of cancer like mammary, testicular, and ovarian, as well as preventing unwanted pregnancies in females and aggressive behavior in males.

Additionally, you need to understand that any surgery has its risks and your puppy will require care after any of these procedures have been done so that they can recover well.

Miniature Schnauzer Vs West Highland White Terrier Size

The West Highland White Terrier is almost similar in size to the Miniature Schnauzer, but the latter is slightly taller.

The weight of a Westie male is around 15 to 22 pounds and stands at a height of about 10 to 12 inches. The female Westie weighs about 13 to 16 pounds with a height of around 9 to 11 inches.

On the other hand, the male Miniature Schnauzer weighs between 11 and 18 pounds with a height of about 14 inches while the female Miniature Schnauzer weighs about 10 to 15 pounds and stands at around 13 inches at the shoulder.

Factors That Affect West Highland White Terrier Growth

Genetics & Gender

The female West Highland White terrier does not grow much after the first heat like their male counterparts.

Their center also grows less than males. The females also gain less muscle when they are gaining weight.

Genetics is crucial in their growth because they take the genetic traits from their parents. So, if the parents are bigger, then your puppy will automatically be bigger, and vice versa.

Nutrition

When the West Highland White Terriers are given high-quality and healthy food, they develop and grow well.

You can decide to prepare your meals at home, or you can buy them commercially manufactured. As long as they are good for your dog and kept them safe.

The most important part is that they get high-quality animal protein as well as lots of fiber and healthy fats. The diet should be catered for their ages.

The West Highland White terriers are active dogs for most parts of their lives but when you see that they have increased their physical activity, adjust their diet well.

They can also pack pounds easily because they are small-sized dogs.

Physical Activity & Health

The West Highland White Terrier enjoys playing and romping around. These dogs enjoy long walks with their owners.

Always keep an eye on them because they tend to chase after anything. They might disappear from your sight.

These dogs were initially bred to chase rodents and they still have this behavior.

How Much To Feed A Growing West Highland White Terrier Puppy?

As with any other dog, West Highland terriers require different amounts of food at different stages of development. A puppy’s food will be different from an adult’s food.

They need to be fed a few hours before they go to bed because they need time to digest their food before they sleep. The following is a guide on how much to feed your puppy:

• 2 to 3 months puppy requires 0.30 cups of meal given four times a day.
• 3 to 6 months puppy needs 0.30 to 0.38 cups of meal per day divided into three times.
• 7 to 12 months puppy needs 0.38 to 0.70 cups of meal divided into three times a day.

How To Tell If Your West Highland White Terrier Is Underweight Or Overweight?

There are ways to tell whether your Westie is underweight or overweight.

The best way is to feel their ribs. If you cannot feel them because there is a thick layer of fat, then your puppy is overweight. On the other hand, if you can easily feel the ribs, then your puppy is underweight.

The second way is by looking at your puppy. If you can easily see the waistline and protruding hip bone as well as the ribs, your puppy is malnourished and underweight.

However, if there is no waistline and your puppy’s tummy is round, then they have excess weight and may be on their way to being obese.

If your Westie is either overweight or underweight, you should visit the vet for a medical check-up to rule out any illnesses and get recommendations on how you can help them achieve the right weight for their age.

How To Properly Weight My West Highland White Terrier?

Two methods can be used to measure the West Highland White Terrier dog.

First, you can use a weighing scale. A weighing scale will help you to check on your dog regularly.

Secondly, you can also use your bathroom scale to measure your dog’s weight. You can encourage your dog to stand on the scale alone or you can help him. Stand on the scale alone and record your weight.

Then hold the dog and stand together on the scale and record the weight. Find the difference between the two numbers and that is your Westie’s weight.

It is recommended that you weigh your puppy every 6 months.

West Highland White Terrier Genetics And Common Health Problems

West Highland White Terrier is prone to some health problems. The majority of these issues could reduce this breed’s life expectancy.

• Allergies affect the West Highland White Terrier and include epidermal dysplasia or Armadillo Syndrome. As a result of this condition, the feet, head, and belly become itchy and inflamed. If you see these symptoms take your dog to the vet.
• Eye Problems– Westies can also get some eye problems like dry eye. Dry eye conditions make the eye not produce enough resulting in dry and painful eyes.
• Patellar Luxation is common in the westies. This condition makes the patella or the kneecap move away from its right position. After being displaced they can return to their normal position. This movement can lead to damage.
• Shaker Syndrome is a condition that makes the dog have tremors in the head and body. The dog will appear as if they are shaking due to the tremors. This can make the dog not be able to walk or eat.

Final Words

Taking care of a Westie is not a difficult job as they are very loyal and obedient once trained.

All they need to live a good life is a balanced source of nutrition, adequate physical activity, and veterinary care.

Hopefully, this article has provided you with the necessary information to ensure that your puppy is maintaining a healthy weight throughout their life.