How big do Westies get? How much do Westies weigh typically? Westies are small, sturdy dogs that typically grow to about 9 – 12 inches (23 – 30cm) tall, with an adult weighing in at 14 – 22lbs (6 – 10kg). Females tend to be slightly smaller and lighter than males.
Our female Westie, Tasha, weighs in at 14 lbs (6kg) and is around 10 inches (25cm) tall.
Westies are definitely in the small dog category. But, as we Westie parents know, they are big on personality!
(Tasha is displaying her Westitude below!)
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.
How Much do Westies Weigh?
Westies are the perfect lap pets. While they vary in size, the average weight range of West Highland Terriers is 14 – 22 lbs (6 – 10 kgs). This can vary depending on the dog, gender and age.
- Adult male Westies typically weigh 15 – 22 lbs (7 – 10kg)
- Adult female Westies typically weigh 14 – 16 lbs (6 – 7kg)
The puppy weight charts below give typical weight ranges as Westies grow for males and females.
Male Westie Puppy Weight Growth Chart
- 3 months: 7 – 10 lbs (3.1 – 4.5 kg)
- 4 months: 9 – 13 lbs (4 – 5.9 kg)
- 5 months: 11 – 15 lbs (5 – 6.8 kg)
- 6 months: 12 – 17 lbs (5.4 – 7.7 kg)
- 7 months: 13 – 19 lbs (5.9 – 8.6 kg)
- 8 months: 14 – 20lbs (6.3 – 9 kg)
- 12 months: 15 – 22 pounds (6.8 – 10 kg)
Female Westie Puppy Weight Growth Chart
- 3 months: 6 – 7 lbs (2.7 – 3.1 kg)
- 4 months: 8 – 9 lbs (3.6 – 4 kg)
- 5 months: 9 – 11 lbs (4 – 5 kg)
- 6 months: 10.5 – 12 lbs (4.8 – 5.4 kg)
- 7 months: 11.5 – 13.5 lbs (5.2 – 6.1 kg)
- 8 months: 12 – 14 lbs (5.4 – 6.3 kg)
- 12 months: 14 – 16 pounds (6.3 – 7.2 kg)
Please note that these are typical averages, and individual Westies may differ from these numbers.
There’s a more detailed Westie puppy growth graph giving low and upper weight ranges on Belpatt’s website.
Westies reach their adult size anytime between 8 and 16 months. More on that further down the article.
It’s essential to monitor your puppy’s growth and consult with your veterinarian to ensure they are growing at a healthy and appropriate rate, as overfeeding or underfeeding can affect their development.
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 include:
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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? 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. A haircut can make your dog look smaller after the trip to the groomer!
How Tall do Westies Get?
Westies are generally smaller dogs. 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 9-12 inches (23 – 30 cm) in height.
Again, this will vary on genetics and gender.
- Males are typically 10 – 12 inches (25 – 30cm) tall
- Females are typically 9 – 11 inches (23 – 28 cms) tall
Height in dogs is measured from the ground to the withers (the top of the shoulders).
This ‘height’ doesn’t include the dog’s head. So, in reality, your Westie is a few inches taller in total.
Total height range, including the head, is 13 – 15 inches (33 – 38 cm).
Total length, from nose to tail, is typically 15 – 20 inches (38 – 51 cm).
While you generally expect a full-grown Westie to be no more than a foot tall, (30 cm), sometimes they can get larger. This sometimes happens with particular breeders, but don’t expect to find an especially large Westie easily.
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.
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 — anytime from around eight months onwards.
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.
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.
Female Westies tend to be smaller than males.
On average, you can expect your Female westie to weigh on the lower end of the weight scale.
When it comes to height, there isn’t too much of a difference. Females may be an 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, 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.
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. But as they get older, they tend to play less.
- Have they stopped needing more food? — As your pup grows, you must 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 age.
- 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 not an exact science!
Wrapping Up
Westies make great family dogs. They have a playful spirit and are incredibly intelligent. These white-furred pups also don’t grow too large.
Male Westies tend to be larger and heavier than females.
Typical weights and heights for adult Westies per gender are:
- Adult male Westies: 15 – 22 lbs (7 – 10kg) and 10 – 12 inches (25 – 30cm) tall
- Adult female Westies: 14 – 16 lbs (6 – 7kg) and 9 – 11 inches (23 – 28 cm) tall
Useful Info On Feeding Your Westie
- How Much Food Should a Westie Eat? And How Often?
- What Can Westies Not Eat? Common Foods To Avoid
- Best Treats For Westies – Food Rewards And Snacks
- What Foods Are Westies Allergic To? (Westie Dog Allergies)
- Can Dry Dog Food Give Your Westie Itchy Skin?
- Can Dogs Eat Porridge With Milk? And Should They?
- What Human Biscuits Can Dogs Eat? (Risks & Benefits)9
