西高地白㹴為皮膚病好發犬種[16] ,尤其異位性皮膚炎最為明顯。根據2007年美國西高地白㹴基金會(Westie Foundation of America)與美國西高地白㹴俱樂部(WHWTCA)一項調查顯示[17],約有四分之一的西高地白㹴曾受到異位性皮膚炎的影響,而雄性患病機率高於雌性。此疾病很可能是犬類的一種遺傳性疾病。[18]
雷格-卡爾夫-柏斯氏病 (Legg-Calvé-Perthes' Disease,LCPD)
此類疾病為好發於年輕的小型純種犬及幼兒的原發性疾病,原因是因為股骨頭的血液供應受阻,股骨頭缺血,進而導致壞死。因此又稱為股骨頭缺血性壞死 (avascular necrosis of the femoral head) 或扁平髖 (coxa plana)[19]。平均發病年齡為4至11個月大,雄性與雌性的患病機率相同,大多為單側發病,雙腿發病的機率只有12%至16%[20],患病後可能的症狀為變得易怒、跛行。隨著病情惡化,最後臀肌和股四頭肌將會萎縮,腿部肌肉會比健康狀態瘦小。
一般認為是由居住在苏格兰西部阿盖尔郡的爱德华·唐纳德·马尔科姆上校(Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm)及其族人培育了現今的西高地白㹴[27]。據說馬爾科姆上校曾有一隻紅色毛髮的狗,但某天卻被獵人誤當成狐狸而開槍射擊。自此後,馬爾科姆上校決定培育出一種新品種的白㹴,而這被人們稱之為波塔黎克㹴(Poltalloch Terrier)。[28] 第一代的波塔黎克㹴擁有沙色的毛髮並已出現立耳的特徵[29] ,這是於現代品種才有的特徵。於1903年,马尔科姆上校公開聲明他不想稱為波塔黎克㹴的創造者,並堅持為其培養的白㹴更名為西高地白㹴。[29][30]
^"Distinctive white coat" (页面存档备份,存于互联网档案馆): quote from "West Highland White Terriers - Good Dogs Wear White" article (Dog & Kennel Magazine, online edition). Retrieved on January 11, 2008.
^Mar 15, Jan Reisen; Mar 15, 2022 | 3 Minutes; Minutes, 2022 | 3. Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2021. American Kennel Club. [2022-12-31]. (原始内容存档于2023-09-30) (英语).
^Lilja-Maula, L.; Laurila, H.P.; Syrja, P.; Lappalainen, A.K.; Krafft, E.; Clercx, C.; Rajamaki, M.M. Long-term outcome and use of 6-minute walk test in West Highland White Terriers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.. J Vet Intern Med. 2014, 28: 379-385.
^Hoppendale, George; Moore, Asia. West Highland White Terrier Complete Owners Manual. West Highland White Terrier book for care, costs, feeding, grooming, health and training.. Zoodoo Publishing. 2019. ISBN 9781788651172.
^About Westies. The West Highland White Terrier Club of Southeast Texas. [2022-12-29]. (原始内容存档于2023-06-28) (英语).
^ 28.028.1Palika, Liz. The Howell Book of Dogs: The Definitive Reference to 300 Breeds and Varieties. Howell Book House. 2007: 383. ISBN 978-0470009215.
^ 32.032.1Grosvenor, Melville B., and Merle Severy, eds. Man's Best Friend: National Geographic Book of Dogs. Chicago: R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company, 1966.
Buckley, Holland (1911), The West Highland White Terrier, Illustrated Kennel News Co., ISBN 0765108119
Cleland, Sheila (1995), Pet Owner's Guide to the West Highland White Terrier, Ringpress Books Ltd., ISBN 1860540155
Wallace, Martin (1996), Guide to Owning a West Highland White Terrier, TFH Publications, ISBN 0793818656
Weiss, Seymour N. (1996), The West Highland White Terrier: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet, Howell Book House Inc., ISBN 0876054947
West Highland White Terrier, Penelope Ruggles-Smythe (Interpret Publishing 1999), ISBN 1902389123.
West Highland White Terrier: An Owner's Guide, Robert Killick (Collins 2003), ISBN 000717831X.
West Highland White Terrier Complete Owners Manual. West Highland White Terrier book for care, costs, feeding, grooming, health and training.(Zoodoo Publishing 2019)