Breed
West Highland White Terrier
AKC Grouping
Terrier GroupTemperament
- loyal
- happy
- entertaining
Demeanor
friendlyChoosing the Best Dog Food for a Senior West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier, whose history spans over 300 years, has been sought after as both a work game dog and a show dog throughout history. In the late 1500s, families on the island of Skye bred both sandy colored as well as white terriers. West Highland White Terrier, also referred to as Scottish White Terriers, history is thought to have begun in 1588 on Skye. Because of their active and small stature, the West Highland White Terrier was used often as a work game dog. It is believed that in the 16th Laird of Poltalloch a man by the name of Edward Donald Malcolm would use the terrier as work game dogs for hunting small rodents. These work game terriers were more reddish brown than white in color. Due to an unfortunate accident where one of the terriers was mistaken for a red fox and shot the color was bred to be white so as to not be mistaken as a fox. This new breed of terrier became known as the “Poltalloch Terrier”. In 1903, Malcolm insisted that the name changed from Poltalloch Terrier to the West Highland White Terrier.
How Breed History Plays a Role in Senior West Highland White Terrier Health Issues
Despite their alert and courageous characteristics, the West Highland White Terrier may not have had the type of diet that would keep them healthy into their senior years. One thing is for certain, they most likely didn’t have specially formulated dog food for senior West Highland White Terrier. In fact, since the early days of the West Highland White Terrier were used to hunt small rodents on farms, their diets could have consisted of rats and mice, not a West Highland White Terrier’s ideal senior dog food. Later, the West Highland White Terrier gained a special place as a show dog. In fact, the West Highland White Terrier was first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1908. Being referred to as the Roseneath Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier got its official title in May of 1909. Aside from work game dogs and show dogs, they are intelligent and quick learners. Although they were valued and respected both as a prey dog and a show dog, their diet most likely stayed the same throughout their lives. Whether a West Highland White Terrier puppy or a senior West Highland White Terrier, the dog food the West Highland White Terrier received likely stayed the same. The West Highland White Terriers adorable appearance and friendly demeanor made them a popular dog for branding. Despite their loyal and energetic attitudes, the West Highland White Terrier is a self-reliant and independent breed therefore, more difficult to train. Regardless of their training difficulty, the West Highland White Terrier does not need to be pampered therefore they make for a perfect dog for an active person’s lifestyle. Famous people such as Pakistan's founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah and nineties teenage heartthrob Jonathan Brandis have enjoyed the companionship of the West Highland White Terrier. Movies and television have both shed the spotlight on the West Highland White Terrier. This friendly small dog can be spotted in films such as Mel Gibson’s Lethal Weapon 3 as well as Game Night. However, as with all dogs, breed-specific care must be taken with these lovable canines, especially in regards to senior dog food for the West Highland White Terrier.
Get Your West Highland White Terrier the Right Food
Energy
active
Grooming
daily brushing
Training
willing to follow
Shedding
seasonallyHelp Your Senior West Highland White Terrier Live a Full & Long Life
While the West Highland White Terrier is strongly built, intelligent and filled with no small amount of self-esteem and self-reliance, their owners still need to pay specific attention to what type of dog food they are fed. When the West Highland White Terriers are puppies, they need a specialized dog food that promotes slow but steady growth. The West Highland White Terrier is prone to some skin disorders therefore, providing high-quality dog food from an early age could possibly prevent certain skin disorders. Even greater care must be taken with an elderly West Highland White Terrier’s diet. Due to some inherited genetic issues that could arise such as neurological diseases, it is imperative to make sure that a senior West Highland White Terrier’s dog food contains the right nutrients such as a high level of protein. However, you should also be sure that the dog food is low in fat and calories in order to prevent excessive weight gain which could lead to other health problems. Paying particularly close attention to weight gain is also vital in preventing joint discomfort and other issues that start to develop in more senior dogs. All of these factors make it imperative to have a meal plan that can be tailored to help improve your elderly West Highland White Terrier’s health.
The Best Dog Food for a Senior West Highland White Terrier
Making sure that West Highland White Terriers get the right amount of nutrition daily is very important for their active lifestyle to help keep them healthy and strong. Throughout the life of a West Highland White Terrier it is important to make sure they are getting the right amount of proper nutrients in order to stay healthy and to keep up with their active lifestyle. As a puppy the West Highland White Terrier may benefit from a good high quality dog food formulated for growth or all stages of life. As the West Highland White Terrier matures, they need to eat high quality dog food that can be personalized for large breeds. If they eat regular dog formula it could lead to weight gain. West Highland White Terriers are known to be a healthy breed with no known health issues as they age. Since the West Highland White Terrier is known to be a healthier breed as they age continuing to feed them a healthy nutritious diet is always a great way to help keep them healthy. As the West Highland White Terrier becomes a senior, making sure they eat proper and nutritious dog food can be beneficial to help keep them healthy and live a happy life.
Get Your West Highland White Terrier the Right FoodChoose Spot & Tango for Senior West Highland White Terrier Dog Food
Over many centuries, West Highland White Terriers have rightfully gained a reputation as prey drives which were once used to hunt small rodents. While self-reliant and intelligent, they are active, hardy, friendly, and courageous members of the family. As work game dogs, they may not always be picky about their food, but their owners need to make sure that they make the right choices for their health and happiness. At Spot & Tango, we make it our passion to provide you with the very best human-grade food for your dog. Specially developed by veterinarians and animal nutritionists, our carefully crafted dog food is customized for your senior West Highland White Terrier. All of our dog food, including our senior dog food, is locally-sourced and cooked in small batches in our USDA-approved New York kitchen. From our kitchen, your dog food will be shipped directly to your door in a matter of days, and ready to serve. Start your risk-free two-week trial today to see the difference that human-grade dog food can make for your West Highland White Terrier. When you nourish your dog with Spot & Tango’s senior dog food, you are ensuring greater days, extended years, and a happier and healthier West Highland White Terrier.