West Highland
White Terriers originate in Scotland and are directly related to a number of
other Terriers including the Scottish, Skye and Cairn. Westies were used to
hunt rats and other small animals, particularly foxes. Sometimes they would
even charge into underground dens to retrieve badgers or other creatures. This
is why they have such strong tails – so that their owners can pull them out in
the event that they become stuck. Originally these Terriers came in a variety of colors, but that was put to an end for safety
reasons. One unfortunate day Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch was hunting and
accidentally mistook his prized Terrier for a fox, and shot it. After that he
bred only white Westies, so there would be no mistaking their identity while on
the hunt. Their
intelligence and playful personalities have made these pups popular pets over
the years since their induction into the American Kennel Club in 1908. Descended
from Spaniels, the origins of the Papillon breed have been traced back to as
early as the 1500s. Dogs resembling the Papillon were featured in paintings by
notable artists such as Rembrandt and Watteau. They
were given their name, which means “butterfly” in French, because of their
large, pointy ears, fringed with flowing hair. Interestingly, not all pups in a
litter will have these pointy ears; the pups with drop ears are called Phalenes,
meaning “moth.” The
Papillon was a popular fixture in the court of Louis XIV, and it is even said
that Marie Antoinette carried her prized pup to the guillotine with her. Papillons
are the ultimate companion dog as they have been bred as such for hundreds of
years. They were first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1915. The
Westillon is a new hybrid breed, and not much is known yet about its history.
Its parent breeds are both lively, affectionate, and adorable dogs and it’s no
doubt that Westillons have inherited their wonderful characteristics!
