Westie Staff

The Westie Staff is a hybrid so you need to take a look at the American Staffordshire Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier to get an idea of their history. The American Staffordshire Terrier was originally bred to be a bull baiter and for dog fighting in the 1800s. They are thought to be related to a Bulldog and some sort of Terrier like an English or Fox Terrier. They were originally thought of as Pit Bulls or Yankee Terriers until 1972 when the name was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier to keep them from being mistaken for their English cousin. When dog fighting and bull baiting became illegal, these dogs were used mainly for protection and as companion pets. Accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1936, they quickly became popular pets, ranking 81 out of 190 breeds in the United States. The West Highland White Terrier has an interesting history. Bred in Scotland from other Terriers in the 17th century, they were developed to be hunting companions for fox hunters. The breed started out as a regular colored Terrier but they were bred to be white due to a hunting accident in which a hunter’s dog was shot when mistaken for a fox. The West Highland White Terrier was also found to be a lovable pet and became popular as a lap dog. The English Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1906 and the American Kennel Club followed suit two years later. The breed is the 41st most well-liked breed in the United States now.