You can expect a Westie to grow to around 15 lbs or 7 kgs. This puts them squarely in the small dog category. When it comes to height, Westies can grow to about a foot tall (that’s 12 inches or 30 cms).
There are, however, other factors you should know about that can affect their size.
West Highland Terriers, or Westies, are rambunctious, tenacious and playful pups. They make for amazingly loyal companions. While these pups have a working background, you won’t see many exceptionally large Westies. So, how big do Westies get?
How Much do Westies Weigh?
Westies are the perfect lap pets. While they vary in size, the average weight of a Westie is around 15 lbs or 7 kgs. This can vary greatly depending on the dog and the gender of the pup.
The average weight range of West Highland Terriers is 14-20 lbs (6-9 kgs).
You can also see some variation between breeders and locations. In these cases, genetics plays a role in how large the adult dog will be.
How Big is a Full-Grown West Highland Terrier?
If you want to understand better how large your Westie might be when fully grown, it’s worth looking through the dog’s pedigree or documented lineage.
Other factors also play into how large your Westie will get when fully grown:
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- Diet — Proper weight control is important, especially for smaller breeds.
- Exercise — While small, Westies are still balls of energy. Exercise is an important factor in your pup’s health and weight.
- Nutrition — Ensuring your Westie has all the nutrients it needs during its developmental puppy stage is so crucial to proper weight when fully grown.
What Can Westies Not Eat? 13 Common Foods To Avoid
These cute little dogs are known for their distinct white fur, which, while coarse, can give the Westie a slightly larger appearance relative to their weight. While not a direct correlation with weight, a bad haircut can make your dog look larger or smaller after the trip to the groomer.
How Tall do Westies Get?
Westies are generally smaller dogs. At only around 15 lbs (7 kgs), it should be no surprise that these little pups don’t grow too tall. While they may not be as tiny as other breeds of dogs, they certainly don’t stand very high off the ground.
You can expect your Westie to grow to around 11-12 inches in height. That’s 28-30 cms in metric. Again, this will vary on a few factors. Some Westies are even smaller, only clocking in at under 9 inches (23 cms) in height.
While you generally expect a full-grown Westie to be around a foot tall, sometimes they can get larger. This sometimes happens with particular breeders, but don’t expect to find an especially large Westie easily.
General height ranges for Westies are:
Male: 10 – 12 inches, 25-30 cms
Female: 9-11 inches, 23-28 cms
When Does a Westie Stop Growing?
Okay, so you’ve got a Westie pup and they seem to be growing like a weed. That small fluffy face you fell in love with is fastly becoming an adult dog. So, how can you know when your pup is done growing? Many dog owners ask the same question. Unfortunately, they don’t stay puppies forever.
A Westie will grow to full size in 12 – 18 months. Here the old adage, “a dog is fully grown in a year,” holds true. Since the Westie is a smaller breed, it means that they can reach their full height and frame a little earlier than other dogs — around eight months.
Keep in mind; your pup might be a bit different. Here are some things to consider:
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- Some Westies won’t reach full weight till 16 months of age.
- If your pup is from show stock, they can be smaller and reach maturity quicker.
- Diet and nutrition play a role in the length of the puppy stage.
Your pup will certainly vary. No dog is like another. This holds true not just with weight and maturity time but also with temperament and personality. Part of the fun of having a dog is watching them grow up and seeing how they change.
Are Female Westies Smaller?
With many animals, there is a disparity in size between the genders. Most of the time, this genetic difference is driven by evolutionary principles. This holds true in the case of dogs as well. However, selective breeding has played a role in the size of most dogs. So, are female Westies a different size than males?
Female Westies do tend to be smaller than their male counterparts. On average, you can expect your Female westie to weigh on the lower end of the weight scale. This puts them at around 15 – 18 lbs (around 7 – 9 kgs) — a few pounds lighter than males.
When it comes to height, there isn’t too much of a difference. Females may be a inch or two shorter than their male counterparts. Keep in mind that other factors might play a larger role in the size of your Westie other than gender. These we have touched on before, like breeders, diet and nutrition.
Generally speaking, though, if you’re on the hunt for a smaller Westie, you can probably bet on a female being smaller. This can be perfect if the Westie is already on the cusp of being too large for your family.
Signs of Westie Pup Maturity
Watching your dog grow is part of the fun of being a puppy owner. Those cute little fuzz balls grow quickly, and before you know it, they are fully grown. But how do you know when your Westie has reached full maturity? Since size can vary, what are the signs of maturity in a Westie?
Here are a few things to look out for to gauge your dog’s maturity:
- Are they playful? — Puppies love to play; nobody can deny that. As they get older, though, they tend to play less.
- Have they stopped needing more food? — As your pup grows, you need to match their growth with extra food in their bowls. When your Westie stops needing more food, it’s a sign they are fully grown.
- What’s their temperament like? — Much like playing, your Westie will need less attention as they get older.
- Do they need social interaction? — Dogs are social creatures, but as puppies, they tend to need more time around other dogs.
Keeping an eye out for these signs can help you assess the maturity of your pup. Keep in mind that this is no exact science. Any conclusion you reach will solely be for fun.
Wrapping Up
Westies make for great family dogs. They have a playful spirit and are incredibly intelligent. These white-furred pups also don’t grow too large. Expect them to grow to around 15 lbs (7 kgs) in weight. When it comes to height, Westies rarely grow larger than a foot tall(12 inches / 30 cms).
