How long do West Highland White Terriers live?

The median lifespan of the West Highland White Terrier is 13.4 years, based on the 2024 McMillan et al. study of 584,734 UK dogs.

What health problems do West Highland White Terriers have?

Commonly reported conditions in the West Highland White Terrier include Atopic dermatitis, Craniomandibular osteopathy, Pulmonary fibrosis, Legg-Calve-Perthes, Cataracts.

Is the West Highland White Terrier a healthy breed?

On the Breed Health Score the West Highland White Terrier scores 80 out of 100 (grade A), compared with an average of 71 across 155 breeds.

80/ 100

West Highland White Terrier Grade A

Median lifespani 13.4 yr · small · 6-10 kg

⇆ Compare West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White Terrier is a small breed with a median lifespan of 13.4 years, which places it among the longest-lived third of the 155 breeds we rank for longevity. Commonly reported health conditions include Atopic dermatitis, Craniomandibular osteopathy, Pulmonary fibrosis, Legg-Calve-Perthes. Its overall Breed Health Score is 80/100 (grade A), against an average of 71/100 across all breeds.

Score breakdown

Longevityi 65%

Conformationi 20%

100

Hereditary burdeni 15%

Higher is healthier. See methodology.

Common & hereditary conditions

Atopic dermatitis Craniomandibular osteopathy Pulmonary fibrosis Legg-Calve-Perthes Cataracts

Red marks a life-threatening or major-welfare condition. Click a condition to see which breeds it affects. This list reflects commonly reported conditions, so better-studied breeds may show more; hereditary burden is the lightest-weighted part of the score. Source: RVC VetCompass / AKC / PDSA (indicative).

Thinking of a West Highland White Terrier? A breed's health profile affects insurance cost. Comparing pet insurance early, before any conditions become pre-existing, usually gets the best cover.

Compare with similar-size breeds

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Data & citation. Median lifespan: McMillan, K.M. et al. (2024) "Longevity of companion dog breeds", Scientific Reports (584,734 UK dogs). Data CC-BY 4.0. Source. Machine-readable: developer API. These are independent estimates for comparing breeds, not veterinary advice. Photo: Roberto Garrido via Pexels.