Westie size, lifespan and price

How big is a full grown Westie?

A grown Westie is a small, solid dog. A male ideally stands 11 inches and a female 10, measured at the highest point of the shoulders, give or take a little. It should be compact and well balanced, a little shorter from the shoulders to the base of the tail than it is tall.

A Westie usually weighs 15 to 20 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, which makes them a bit easier to walk and carry. People who want a large dog in a small package tend to love Westies, because they're sturdy for their size.

How big will our Westie puppies get, and when are they full grown?

We expect the Westie puppies listed now to reach 13 to 19 lbs as grown dogs, and our Westie mamas weigh 12 to 17 lbs. Each puppy's estimate comes from its own mama and papa, and both are linked from its page, so you can see where the number comes from. If you'd like a Westie toward one end of that range, tell us on your puppy application.

A Westie is usually close to full size by its first birthday. Small-breed dogs generally reach adult size between 6 and 12 months of age, and our Westies leave us at 9 weeks old, which means you'll see almost all of that growth at home.

Is there a teacup or mini Westie?

No. There's one Westie, with one ideal height for each sex and only a little give either way. A teacup Westie isn't a size of its own, so a Westie sold under that label is simply a small Westie.

Our guide to teacup puppies explains where the label comes from and what very small puppies need from their families.

How long do Westies live?

Usually 13 to 15 years, and many families have a Westie with them for 12 to 16 years or more. A large study of more than half a million dogs found a typical Westie lifespan of 13.4 years, against 12.5 years across all breeds of dog.

That's the age half the dogs passed, so many Westies live beyond it. Most dogs of every breed can live long, healthy lives with good care, good food, exercise and routine vet visits.

What health problems are Westies prone to?

The two most common problems in Westies are skin allergies and a kneecap that slips out of place. A skin allergy is an overreaction to everyday things such as pollen, house dust mites and mold, and Westies are one of the breeds prone to it. Most allergic dogs start showing signs between one and three years old, scratching, chewing, licking or rubbing their paws, face and rear end.

A bone condition of the jaw turns up in puppies instead. It's most often noticed between 4 and 7 months old, usually as discomfort when a puppy chews, and it's painful and can take months of treatment. Affected dogs nearly always recover, and by 2 or 3 years old it may be impossible to tell a dog ever had it.

The health checks a breeding Westie should have, and the certificates we have for our own Westie parents, are set out in do Westies shed. Ask your vet about anything that worries you in your own Westie.

How much does a Westie puppy cost?

Our Westie puppies are $2,500 to $3,000, and each puppy's own page shows its price. Every puppy goes home with vaccinations against Parvovirus, Distemper, Adenovirus, Kennel Cough and Parainfluenza, plus Leptospirosis and Rabies depending on age, deworming, a puppy pack with care notes, a bag of Diamond Naturals food, a blanket with mama's scent, a written guarantee, and a microchip enrolled in your name with lifetime recovery, already paid for.

This price is for limited registration which does not include showing or breeding rights. We are willing to sell full registration to approved breeders for an additional fee. Prices do not reflect sales tax, shipping fees, or the 3% merchant fee when using a credit/debit card or Paypal. All sales are subject to a 7% sales tax. Contact us with any questions!

When you compare prices, check with several breeders for the going rate on a sound, healthy pet from good parents. Show and breeding prospects cost more, prices vary by region, and a poorly bred puppy is no bargain at any price. Young adults and rescued Westies cost considerably less, and our retired adults page lists any grown dogs we're placing.

Reserving a Westie begins with our puppy application, and after approval a deposit holds your Westie. A non-refundable deposit of one third of the puppy price holds a puppy that is already listed. Deposits are non-refundable, but they can be transferred to another puppy up to three times, or held for a year. Each step from there to pickup day is in how it works.