Rat Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier

Compare the Rat Terrier to the West Highland White Terrier. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Rat Terriers and West Highland White Terriers.

Rat Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Change Breed
Change Breed
General Details
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Breed Type
Purebred
Purebred
Allergy Friendly
No
Yes
Lifespan
12-18 Years
11-16 Years
Height
10-18 Inches
14-16 Inches
Weight
10-24 Pounds
15-20 Pounds
Intelligence
Above Average
Average
History
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Origin Country
United States
United Kingdom
Origin Year
1800 AD
1500 AD
Temperament
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Overall Friendliness
Above Average
Above Average
Family Friendly
Above Average
Above Average
Child Friendly
Above Average
Above Average
Pet Friendly
Average
Above Average
Stranger Friendly
Above Average
Average
Personality
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Traits
Affectionate
Loving
Separation Anxiety
Willing to Please
Affectionate
Separation Anxiety
Stubborn
Living Environment
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Apartment
Yes
Yes
Indoor
Yes
Yes
Small Yard
Yes
Yes
Medium Yard
Yes
Yes
Large Yard
No
No
Temperature Tolerance
45-80 °F
30-85 °F
Barks/Howls
Below Average
Below Average
Exercise Needs
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Energy Level
Medium
High
Exercise Required
Medium
Medium to High
Top Running Speed
27 MPH
18 MPH
Strength
Low to Medium
Medium
Grooming Needs
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Coat Maintenance
Low to Medium
Low
Shedding
Medium
Low
Dander
Medium
Low
Drool
None
None
Instincts and Behavior
Breed Mentality
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Dominant / Alpha
No
No
Family / Pack
Yes
No
Independent
No
Yes
Breed Focus
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Distracted Easy
No
Yes
Focused & Patient
Yes
No
Breed Instincts
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Aggression
Below Average
Average
Burrow / Digging
Average
Average
Chasing
Above Average
Above Average
Follow Commands
Above Average
Below Average
Fighting
Below Average
None
Guarding
Below Average
None
Herding
None
None
Hunting
Above Average
Average
Protection
Below Average
None
Remove Vermin
Above Average
Above Average
Sled Pulling
None
None
Watch / Guardian
Average
Below Average
Health Comparison
Lifespan
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Average Lifespan
12-18 Years
11-16 Years
Health Concerns
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Common Health Issues
Hip dysplasia
Patellar luxation
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Heart problems
Eye problems
Cataracts
Patellar luxation
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Shaker syndrome
Westie jaw
Inflammatory bowel disease
Atopic dermatitis
Hyperplastic dermatosis
Krabbe disease
Pulmonary fibrosis
Appearance Comparison
Coat
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Coat Type
Fur
Fur
Coat Layering
Single
Double
Coat Texture
Straight
Shaggy
Wavy
Coat Length
Short
Medium
Coat Coloring
Rat Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Breed Colors
Black and White
Black and White
Black, Tan, and White
Black, Tan, and White
Blue, White, and Tan
Blue, White, and Tan
White
White
White and Apricot
White and Apricot
White and Black
White and Black
White and Blue
White and Blue
White and Chocolate
White and Chocolate
White and Fawn
White and Fawn
White and Lemon
White and Lemon
White and Red
White and Red
White and Silver
White and Silver
White and Tan
White and Tan
White, Black, and Tan
White, Black, and Tan
White, Blue, and Fawn
White, Blue, and Fawn
White, Chocolate, and Tan
White, Chocolate, and Tan
White
White
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