The West Highland White Terrier is normally a scrappy, fearless little dog.  He is very strong for his size, and is endowed with a lot of self confidence. There are, however,  medical conditions that some bloodlines are more susceptible to than others.  That is the reason you should exercise care in choosing a breeder.  A responsible breeder will certify that the health of the puppy you are buying, and that it's parents are clear of the most common Westie medical problems.
     The following medical conditions are known to exist in Westies.  Not all Westies will have these problems.  Obtaining a puppy from a reputable breeder, who is working for the quality of the breed, is your best insurance for getting a healthy, sound puppy.

     Atopic Dermatitis - This hereditary condition is due to the dog being overly sensitive to environmental allergens.  Clinical signs that the dog may be suffering from atopic dermatitis are itching, chewing, sneezing, reddening of the skin, and hair loss.  These clinical signs can also be for other problems as well, so a visit to your veterinarian is necessary to determine exactly what the problem is.  For further information on this condition, please refer to medical index/atopic dermatitis.

     Cleft Palate - A birth defect in which the hard palate fails to close.  This leaves an opening in the roof of the mouth.  For further information, refer to medical index/cleft palate.

     Copper Toxicosis - This metabolic disorder leads to copper being accumulated in the liver.  Left untreated this condition can be fatal.  All West Highland White Terrier breeding stock should be tested clear of this condition prior to breeding.  Refer to medical index/copper toxicosis for more information.

     Craniomandibular Osteopathy - This is a hereditary, non cancerous growth on the lower jawbone.  A reputable breeder will not breed from any dog that has been treated for CMO, nor any dog which has produced in the past, an offspring that has had CMO.  For further information, please refer to medical index/craniomandibular osteopathy.

     Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy - GCL - This hereditary, degenerative disease attacks the brain and spinal cord.  A reputable breeder will test all breeding stock to be sure that they do not have, nor carry, this condition.  Refer to medical index/globoid cell leukodystrophy, for further explanation of this condition.

     Hip Dysplasia - This is a result of a malformation of the hip joint(s).  The most common indications of hip dysplasia in small dogs is when the dog is older.  Generally, with this late life onset surgical correction is never required.  Your veterinarian can xray your dog's hips for evaluation.  Please refer to medical index/hip dysplasia, for more information on this condition.

     Inguinal Hernia - Inguinal hernias appear as skin covered bulges in the groin area.  Your veterinarian should evaluate the hernia to determine if surgical closure is necessary.  For further information, please refer to medical index/inguinal hernia.

     Juvenile Cataracts - Juvenile cataracts appear to be genetic in nature.  A reputable breeder will not use breeding stock that has been treated for this condition.  Please refer to the medical index/juvenile cataracts, for more information.

     Keratoconjunctivitus Sicca - commonly referred to as "dry eye" - While normal dog's eyes are lustrous, dogs with dry eye have eyes that are lacking in luster, and appear textured.  This condition is caused by insufficient tear production.  Treatment is dependent on the cause and severity of condition.  Please refer to medical index/keratoconjunctivitus sicca for more information.

     Legg-Calve-Perthes - This condition is due to improper blood flow that leads to the destruction of femoral head (ball head) in the hip joint.  For further information, see medical index/legg-calve-perthes.

     Seborrhea - This disorder is characterized by oily, scaly lesions on the skin.  Evaluation by a veterinarian is important to determine the type, and the extent, of your dog's seborrhea problem.  Please refer to medical index/seborrhea for more information.

     Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency - This disorder of the red blood cells is a syndrome of hemolytic anemia.  Full and proper diagnosis can only be achieved through a veterinarian.  Further information may be found in the medical index/pyruvate kinase deficiency.

     White Shaker Dog Syndrome - As the name implies, dogs affected by this condition tend to have tremors that affect their entire body.  For further information, please refer to the medical index/white shaker dog syndrome.

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