West Highland White Terrier Puppy Checklist

Before Puppy Comes Home

What do you need before bringing home a West Highland White Terrier puppy?

Last updated October 8, 2026

Two health-related preparations matter more than any equipment purchase before a Westie arrives home: enrolling in pet insurance before the first vet visit, and learning the warning signs of Westie Pulmonary Fibrosis. The first is financially critical (atopic dermatitis is likely; WPF may develop in middle age). The second could mean earlier diagnosis and better quality of life for the dog.

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Westie Pulmonary Fibrosis (WPF) — Know These Signs

WPF is a progressive, fatal lung disease that typically presents in middle-aged to older Westies. There is no cure, but earlier diagnosis allows better supportive management. Signs to watch for:

• Exercise intolerance — tires more quickly than expected, reluctant to walk distances the dog previously managed easily
• Coughing after activity or at rest
• Labored breathing — visible chest effort at rest
• Crackling lung sounds (a vet finding, not owner-observable without equipment)

If you notice any of these signs, see your vet promptly and specifically mention Westie Pulmonary Fibrosis. Diagnosis requires chest imaging.

Essential Gear Checklist

• Small crate (24-inch with divider)
• Dog bed
• Stainless steel food and water bowls
• Flat collar + ID tag
  One option: GoTags Personalized Stainless Steel ID Tag on Amazon. An engraved stainless steel ID tag; you pick the shape and the lines of text at checkout. Put a phone number that's actually answered on it, and update the engraving if you move.
• Harness for walks
• 4–6 ft leash
  One option: Wild One Adjustable Leash (5.5 ft) + Poop Bag Carrier on Amazon. An adjustable 5.5-foot leash that clips shorter for city walks, with a clip-on poop-bag carrier and a starter roll of bags.
• Pin brush or slicker brush
  One option: Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush on Amazon. Long angled pins in a flexible cushioned pad that lift dead hair and work through leg and beard furnishings. Use light strokes; slicker pins can scratch skin if pressed hard.
• Wide-tooth steel comb
  One option: Chris Christensen 000 Butter Comb (7.5 in, fine/coarse) on Amazon. A 7.5-inch greyhound-style steel comb with coarse teeth on one half and fine on the other, for checking down to the skin after brushing. Work in sections and stop at resistance; a comb finds mats, it shouldn't be used to rip them out.
• Dog-safe shampoo (whitening formula optional)
• High-value training treats
  One option: Blue Buffalo Bits Soft Training Treats, Beef (19 oz) on Amazon. Soft, bite-size training treats with real beef as the first ingredient, small enough for rapid repetitions. Keep treats to about 10% of daily calories.
• Enzymatic cleaner
  One option: Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover (32 oz) on Amazon. An enzymatic stain and odor cleaner that keeps breaking down urine and other organic messes after you apply it. Spot-test on carpet or upholstery first.
• First professional grooming appointment booked for approximately 6–8 weeks

First Week Setup

What should the first week with a West Highland White Terrier puppy look like?

First Vet Visit (Within 48–72 Hours)

• Full physical exam
• Vaccine schedule continuation and parasite prevention
• If you plan to insure, enroll before this appointment — this is time-critical. Any condition documented at this visit can become a pre-existing condition. Insurance before the first appointment can cover what comes after, within its terms.
• Discuss atopic dermatitis monitoring with your vet — ask them to establish a baseline skin assessment and explain what early signs look like for this breed
• Mention WPF to your vet and confirm they're aware of the breed's pulmonary disease risk — document this in the dog's medical record for future reference
• Ask about CMO (Craniomandibular Osteopathy) and what signs to watch for in a puppy 3–8 months old
• Microchip if not done by breeder

Grooming Habits Start Now

The white double coat looks low-maintenance but needs weekly brushing and professional appointments every 6–8 weeks. Building the dog's tolerance for grooming in puppyhood is significantly easier than managing an adult that resists handling.

• Start brushing from day one — short sessions (3–5 minutes) with treat rewards
• Touch paws, ears, and mouth daily to prepare for nail trims, ear checks, and dental care
• Book the first professional grooming appointment for 6–8 weeks after arrival to introduce the dog to the process early

Training and Socialization

Training a Confident Small Terrier

Socialization Window (8–16 Weeks)

Westies are confident and curious by nature — the socialization window is about ensuring that confidence is applied positively across a wide range of experiences:

• Introduce to diverse people types in positive, treat-paired contexts
• Expose to urban environments, vehicles, different surfaces and sounds
• Introduce to friendly, vaccinated dogs in safe settings — puppy class is ideal
• Introduce to other animals carefully if you have cats or small pets — the terrier prey drive is real and needs early management

Priority Training Commands

• Sit and Stay: Foundation commands — establish immediately
• Leave it: Critical for a terrier with prey drive — practice regularly
• Come: Recall training should be consistent from puppyhood — Westies will chase, and reliable recall in low-distraction environments is achievable; off-leash in open areas near wildlife is not
• Loose-leash walking: Westies are surprisingly strong for their size — address pulling from the first walk

Small Dog Ground Rules

Westies are sturdy small dogs, but certain habits matter more at their size:

• No jumping on furniture without invitation — establish this from the start if it's a preference
• No resource guarding allowed — address any food or toy guarding behavior immediately with professional guidance; this is easier to correct in a puppy than an adult
• Terrier stubbornness is real — keep training sessions short (5–8 minutes), engaging, and positive. Drilling produces the terrier stonewall.