When it comes to choosing a dog, there is a seemingly eternal debate about whether to get a male or female version of the breed. West Highland White Terriers, known affectionately as Westies, are no strangers to this controversy. The choice of male or female dog depends on what attributes you hope to get in the dog.
Both male and female Westies seek dominance. Both genders are clever, independent, agile, and self-confident. Females are generally smaller, assertive, and train more quickly, and males actively try to dominate humans and other pets. Males are less moody and take their time to do everything, including training.
Westies are fun, energetic, and adventurous dogs with a big attitude, so-called westitude:) Their small stature is remarkably sturdy and agile. Westies were bred to hunt foxes, rats, and other small mammals and rodents, and they definitely have not lost their passion for hunting as the centuries have passed. Both male and female Westies love activity, exercise, and games.
Female Westies
Female Westies are diva dogs with indomitable personalities. Female Westies have all of the curiosity, athleticism, and assertiveness that make this breed famous. Female Westies have no problem placing every member of the household into a pack hierarchy, with herself at the top.
- Female Westies love to be in the center of attention and will bark to get that attention. She will happily assert herself into the middle of anything that is happening in the household. If you have a female westie, you never go to the toilet alone 😀
- Female Westies reach maturity a little earlier than males. This means that they begin to calm down a little sooner and train a little earlier as well.
- Female Westies are a little more high-strung than males but also are a little easier to train.
- Female Westies can be slightly more aggressive than males, especially when protecting a litter of puppies. Female Westies protect what they see as being theirs. It means toys, spaces, and people. They must be diligently trained to share, be accepting, and welcome new people into their space.
- Female Westies are vocal. She will make her opinion known about everything with barking that you can not ignore. You can minimize this with careful barking training. She also needs to understand that her owner understands and acknowledges why she is barking so that she can stop.
- Female Westies are very smart and cunning. Typical Westie behavior is a little subversive, and Female Westies are not an exception. These little girls are usually scheming about how to get their way, even during training sessions. This is just one of the funny and charming traits of Westies.
- The Female Westie typifies everything that people love about the breed. Big personality in a small package, with ego to spare.
- Female Westies are confident, intelligent, trainable, assertive, and very loyal. While Westies are notoriously independent, they are also loyal to their families and make fun companions who are always up for an adventure.
- Female Westies who are spayed will have fewer mood swings and less aggressive behavior issues. Spaying eliminates much of the hormonal changes that cause Female Westies to experience temperamental mood swings. This evens them out a lot, making them more companionable dogs.
Much of what makes the Westie an iconic dog is typified in the female Westie. These adorable dogs have a strong will and a sweet disposition that keeps you on your toes while charming you into submission. Obedience and respect training are a must from puppyhood for owners who want to have a productive relationship with their Westie girl.
Male Westies
Male Westies can be every bit as charming as female Westies, with many of the same personality traits that make Westies a favorite of the terrier breeds. Male Westies are athletic and robust, able to chase a fox, squirrel, or dig a rabbit out of the yard without tiring. They are alert and curious, feeling the need to notify owners of every change in the environment.
- Male Westies are a little more relaxed than their female counterparts. This may not be readily apparent until the owner is waiting for a male Westie to do his thing in the yard. The male Westie is not into rushing, which can be frustrating for owners in a hurry.
- Male Westies are clever and independent and usually see little need for human directions and opinions. Male Westies are not interested in an owner’s schedule, plans, or ideas for the day. He has his own ideas and will pursue them if possible. Male Westies must be trained to obey from puppyhood.
- Male Westies are larger than females. They are bigger in stature and weigh more as well. They are robust, athletic, and resilient little dogs. They are very fun for children to play with because they can keep up a fun game without wearying, and they are less fragile than other breeds of the same size. However, you should not let kids and a Westie unsupervised, especially young children, because westies won’t tolerate misbehaving and might snap.
- Male Westies reach maturity a little later than females. Because of this later maturity, their high-energy puppy phase lasts longer, and effective training does not start as early as it does for females. However, they are just as trainable with patience, time, and understanding.
- Male Westies will take their time with training. They do not see the need to rush into obedience, so they take a lot of patience and consistency to see results with respect and obedience training. You should not give up because Westies are smart and can be trained remarkably well!
- Male Westies are more aggressive toward other dogs, especially males. They are more territorial and more likely to show aggressive barking and tugging against a leash in the presence of another dog.
- Male Westies are less likely to welcome a new family member as readily as a female Westie. Both genders need socialization training from puppyhood to be able to adjust to other pets and people. The male will be less friendly at first but will come around to accepting new pets and people.
- Male Westies will try to establish a pack hierarchy, surprise, surprise, with themselves at the top 🙂 You can train this out of the dog, but training must begin as soon as the puppy can begin.
- Male Westies are also very vocal and will notify owners of every change in the environment. They are easily bored and will also announce this boredom with incessant and pointed barking. The best way to mitigate this is to wear them out with outdoor play and long exploratory walks.
Male Westies are cute, sturdy, assertive, curious, and playful. Neutering helps to level out the personality quirks of male Westies. Typically, neutered male Westies are less aggressive, less territorial, and more relaxed than those who are not neutered. This is usually seen as one of the advantages of neutering.
Keep in mind that neither gender is eligible for dog shows if it is spayed or neutered. This is only a solution for families that only desire a companion dog and have no plans for running the dog show circuit with their adorable Westie.
Conclusion
Choosing the right dog for you and your family is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is a huge responsibility for hopefully a really long time! If you decided to adopt a westie, now you need to think about whether to get a female or a male.
There is no such thing as better when it comes to Westie males and females. The question is what a person desires most in a dog. Both male and female Westies have larger-than-life personalities, making them some of the most iconic and sought-after companion dogs. Males are a little slower-paced, and females are charming alphas.
Both genders make fun, adventurous pets that love to play, spend time together, and dominate their little world. The Westie breed of terriers is well-loved for its ability to accompany humans on grueling adventures and still sit and enjoy some relaxing time with the family. These dogs are loyal companions that are up for anything, anytime.
