West Highland White Terriers are a generally hardy, long-lived breed. Understanding the conditions the breed is predisposed to helps you ask a breeder better questions, spot problems early and give a Westie the best chance at a full, comfortable life. This guide covers typical lifespan, the breed-associated conditions worth knowing about, and how responsible breeding fits in.
This article provides general breed information only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your individual dog.
How long do Westies live?
The West Highland White Terrier has a typical lifespan of around 12 to 16 years — long by dog standards, and one of the reasons the breed is such a rewarding companion. Small breeds generally outlive large ones, and Westies sit comfortably in the upper part of that pattern.
What moves a dog toward the upper end of the range is unglamorous and well established: keeping a lean body weight, feeding an appropriate complete diet, staying current with preventive veterinary care and parasite control, maintaining dental health, and providing consistent daily activity and mental engagement. Obesity in particular shortens lives and worsens nearly every orthopaedic problem on the list below.
Skin and allergy conditions
Atopic dermatitis is the most commonly reported health issue in the breed. It is an allergic skin disease, usually to environmental triggers such as pollens, moulds and dust mites, and it typically shows up between six months and three years of age.
What to watch for: persistent scratching, licking or chewing at the paws, rubbing the face, redness in the armpits, groin and between the toes, and recurring ear infections. Skin conditions in Westies are far more manageable when addressed early — long-running inflammation leads to secondary bacterial and yeast infections, which are harder and more expensive to resolve. A number of related conditions also appear more often in the breed, including epidermal dysplasia and ichthyosis. Persistent skin symptoms warrant a veterinary appointment rather than a wait-and-see approach.
Joint and bone conditions
Luxating patella — a kneecap that slips out of its groove — is common in small breeds and frequently reported in Westies. Signs include a skipping or hopping step, or a dog that carries a back leg for a few strides and then carries on normally. Mild cases are managed conservatively; more severe ones may need surgery.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease involves a loss of blood supply to the head of the femur, causing the bone to deteriorate. It typically appears in young dogs between about five and eight months, showing as progressive lameness and pain in one hind leg. It generally requires surgical treatment, after which most dogs do very well.
Craniomandibular osteopathy, sometimes called “Westie jaw” or “lion jaw”, is an abnormal bone growth affecting the jaw and skull in puppies, usually between about three and eight months. It is painful and can make eating difficult, but it is not cancerous and typically stops progressing and resolves as the dog matures. It is strongly associated with Scottish terrier breeds — Westies, Scotties and Cairns account for the majority of reported cases.
Eye conditions
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eye, occurs when tear production is inadequate, leaving the surface of the eye irritated and vulnerable to ulceration. Signs include a thick discharge, redness and squinting. It is managed with lifelong medication and responds well when caught early. Juvenile cataracts and persistent pupillary membranes are also reported in the breed at higher-than-average rates.
Westie lung disease (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is progressive scarring of the lung tissue, and it is seen in West Highland White Terriers more than in any other breed — so much so that it is commonly called Westie lung disease. It is a disease of older dogs, and a genetic component is strongly suspected on the basis of that breed predisposition, though the cause is not yet understood.
Signs are gradual: reduced exercise tolerance, a dry cough, wheezing, faster breathing and eventually laboured breathing. There is no cure, and there is currently no screening test that predicts it. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and quality of life. It is worth knowing about, and worth mentioning to your vet if an older Westie starts tiring on walks it used to manage easily.
Other conditions reported in the breed
Less common, but documented at elevated rates in West Highland White Terriers: Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism), inflammatory bowel disease, copper-associated chronic hepatitis, white shaker dog syndrome, congenital deafness, pyruvate kinase deficiency and globoid cell leukodystrophy. Most Westies will never encounter any of these. The point of the list is not alarm — it is that an informed owner and an informed vet catch things earlier.
How responsible breeding helps
The single biggest factor in a puppy’s long-term health is how it was bred. Responsible breeders screen their breeding dogs for the conditions where screening exists, make thoughtful pairings rather than breeding whichever two dogs are available, avoid the close inbreeding that concentrates hereditary risk, and raise puppies in a clean, socially rich home environment.
Be sceptical of anyone who promises a puppy will be free of breed-associated conditions. For several of the conditions above — craniomandibular osteopathy and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis among them — there is currently no test that would allow such a promise. What a good breeder can offer is transparency about the testing they do, honesty about what testing cannot rule out, and a genuine commitment to support you afterwards. This is exactly why the choice of breeder matters so much — see our guide on how to choose a reputable Westie breeder in Ontario.
Keeping your Westie healthy at home
Routine veterinary checkups, parasite prevention, dental care, a quality diet, a lean body condition and appropriate exercise all contribute. Because the breed is prone to skin issues, a consistent grooming routine does double duty for comfort and for early detection — our grooming guide covers what to look for while you brush. Pet insurance is worth considering, and is far more useful arranged before a condition appears than after.
Frequently asked questions
How long do West Highland White Terriers live?
Typically 12 to 16 years. A lean body weight, good dental care, preventive veterinary attention and daily activity all support the upper end of that range.
What is the most common health problem in Westies?
Atopic dermatitis — allergic skin disease — is the most frequently reported issue in the breed, along with related skin and ear infections.
What is Westie lung disease?
Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive scarring of the lung tissue seen in West Highland White Terriers more than any other breed. It affects older dogs, has no cure and no screening test, and is managed for symptoms and comfort.
Are Westies generally healthy dogs?
Yes. They are a hardy, long-lived breed, and most live full lives without encountering the conditions above. Like every purebred dog they have known predispositions, which is why breeder transparency and early veterinary attention matter.
What health tests should a Westie breeder do?
Ask any breeder directly which tests they run, to see the results, and what those tests do and do not rule out. Be cautious of a breeder who cannot answer specifically, and equally cautious of one who guarantees a puppy free of all breed conditions — for several Westie conditions no such test exists.
For the complete picture on living with the breed, read our West Highland White Terrier breed guide. Questions about health in our line? Contact Cedar Creek Westies — we’re happy to talk.
Ready to welcome a Westie? Our Westie puppies are bred by Cedar Creek Kennels in Amaranth, Ontario — a CKC member breeder raising West Highland White Terriers since 2007. See current availability, or fill out a puppy application to join the waitlist.