Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix

The Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Flat-Coated Retriever and the West Highland White Terrier. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Flat Coated Retriever is known for being friendly, optimistic, and outoing. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Flat-Coated Retriever or the West Highland White Terrier? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix puppies for sale.

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Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Flat-Coated Retriever History

The Flat-Coated Retriever, like virtually all dogs has a diverse lineage, their ancestry includes the Labrador, Newfoundland, spaniel-type water dogs, setter, and sheepdog. He was developed in England in the mid-1800s. The purpose of his development was to serve as a close-working shooting dog. They were used widely on British estates and were known as a “gamekeeper's dog.” The people most credited with the breed's development was S.E. Shirley and H.R. Cooke. It was a very popular hunting dog through World War 1, but lost the popularity game to the Labrador and Golden Retriever. They were so low the breed almost went extinct. However, some enthusiastic breeders came in and kept them going. It is still a very rare breed.

West Highland White Terrier History

The West Highland White Terrier, also known as a Westie, hails from Scotland. It has a distinctive white harsh coat with a somewhat soft white undercoat. The vague white terrier is around 500 years old. These have obviously been mixed with all kinds of things over the years to land on the breed that we know today as the West Highland Terrier. It is the 3rd most popular dog in the U.K. Like most Terriers they were bred to hunt vermin.

Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix Size and Weight

Flat-Coated Retriever
Height: 22 - 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 55 - 80 lb.
Lifespan: 8 - 10 years

West Highland White Terrier
Height: 9 - 12 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 13 - 22 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 16 years

Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix Personality

The Flat-Coated Retriever and the West Highland White Terrier are known for being courageous and protective. They are also very loving dogs. This dog will require a very strong and firm owner who makes sure to assert that they are the alpha and not the dog. They are cautious, yet non-threatening with strangers, and are affectionate towards family and children. Early socialization helps take care of any bad habits that could develop. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”

Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Flat-Coated Retriever mixed with the West Highland White Terrier might be prone to joint dysplasia, cancer among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Flat-Coated Retriever Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in