The dog needed to be small
but hardy and flexible. Also brave
enough to fight its’ way into a fox’s lair between the rocks, against stiff
opposition if necessary.
They were selectively bred as all white terriers so
that they could be easily distinguished from the fox against the drab background
of the countryside.
The breed was originally named the Poltalloch
Terrier but later this was changed to the West Highland White Terrier where the
breed originated.
The West Highland
White Terrier was recognised as a breed by the English Kennel Club in 1907 and
was recognised in Australia in the 1920’s.
