If you have looked into information on West Highland White Terriers and feel one would be a good fit for your family, you are likely to want to know what purchase prices to expect currently (in 2022).
Following are details of the average costs of Westie puppies, as well as rescue dogs in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Having adopted a Westie not so long ago and going through the same process, I have a good insight into how much Westies costs, and I’d like to share the details with you here on this topic.
So, how much do Westies cost? West Highland White Terrier puppies typically cost between $350 and $3,800 in the US, and £200-£3,000 in the UK, for purebred and show-quality dogs the prices being higher. The price of adult and rescue dogs ranges from $118 to $900 and £135-£2,000.
Westies are cute, fun, and loyal family dogs with a typical mischievous terrier temperament.
Inquisitive, energetic, amusing, and always ready to play, there is a good reason that Westies are a popular pet dog choice. However, they are definitely not suitable for everyone – read our guide on what Westies are like as a family pet.
But financing the purchase of any dog and its ultimate care is certainly a big consideration as well.
This guide will hopefully help you decide whether a Westie would be the right breed for you.
Table of Contents
- What is the Average Cost of a West Highland Terrier?
- How Much is a Full-bred Westie?
- Why Are Westies so Expensive?
- Advantages of Buying a Westie Puppy From a Breeder
- Advantages of Rescued and Rehomed Westies
- Where to Get a Westie
- Other Costs to Be Aware of
- Final Thoughts
West Highland White Terrier Pricing Chart
| UK | US | |
| AKC (Kennel Club) puppies | £1,500-£3,000 | $700 – $3,800 |
| Puppies for sale online (under 6months) | £1,500-£3,000 | $250-$2700 |
| Adults for sale online (over 6months) | £950-£2,000 | $150-$900 |
| Rescue (under 6months) | £200-£350 | $350-$650 |
| Rescue (over 6months) | £135-£250 | $118-$350 |
These prices of Westies have a wide range gap, which is why I’d like to go into more details for the reasons why the cost of a Westie differs so much, depending on which adoption route you take.
Resources used to compare prices: American Kennel Club, The Kennel Club, PetFinder.com, Gumtree, Pets4Homes, Petclassifieds.com, Buy Sell Pets Online, Animals In Distress, Westie Rescue USA, Westie Rescue UK, RSPCA, Dogs Trust, National Animal Welfare Trust, Animal Humane Society, MSPCA-Angell, North Shore Animal League America, Westie Rescue of California, Maryland Westie Rescue, Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California
What is the Average Cost of a West Highland Terrier?
The prices were derived by looking at puppies and adult dogs available at the time of writing (Spring 2022) and researching various adoption fees of rehoming centers.
The average price of a West Highland White Terrier puppy in the United States is currently around $1,850 (the most popular price range being $700-$3,000) and in the UK £1,725 (ranging from £950-£2,500). These numbers being a range means you can purchase a puppy for less than this or you might be asked to pay more.
As you can see from the table above and if you’ve been doing your own bit of research, you’ve found out that the prices of Westies vary a great deal! But remember this is a guideline and since there are a number of options available when deciding to purchase a Westie, what you pay comes down to your individual preference of the age of the animal and where you’re getting it from.
A cheaper Westie is by no means a lesser pet, but at the same time, you should be wary of dogs that seem underpriced.
As a general rule purebred Westie puppies tend to cost a lot more than rehomed adults whether you’re in the US or the UK.
For example, my Westie came from a local rescue center in the UK, which has an excellent reputation for animal welfare. He has no papers to prove whether he’s a purebred or pedigree, but certainly has the characteristics and charm of a West Highland White Terrier.
I paid a £125 (~ $170) adoption fee for him in 2014, which went towards covering a full health check, the necessary vaccinations, veterinary care, microchipping, and dog food. Although the adoption fee has almost tripled since then, it still seems a low amount compared to purchasing a puppy from a breeder.
However, there are good reasons for that, which we’ll cover below.
How Much is a Full-bred Westie?
Let’s understand first what full-bred (purebred) means.
A purebred dog is one whose parents are of the same breed and the offspring is bred true, resembling its parents.
Good quality pups are bred to the official breed standard, with health and genetic tests conducted throughout the breeding process. Registrations can be done through various governing bodies, such as AKC in the US or The Kennel Club in the UK.
A purebred dog that has pedigree papers can trace back to generations, and parents and ancestors are registered with the relevant governing body.
The price of full-bred Westies varies a lot, depending on the breeder, the bloodline, and where you are located. This range is based on what I’ve seen online – there might be some variation between breeders. For example, in the UK you can expect to pay between £1,500 and £3,000 for a full-bred westie from a reputable breeder, and in the United States for Westies registered with the AKC, you’re looking at $1,700 and $3,800. Individual Westies can of course be more or less than this.
Why Are Westies so Expensive?
There are a number of factors at play that determine the price of a West Highland White Terrier or any other dog breed for that matter.
When you take on a puppy from a reputable breeder, you are not just buying the puppy. You’re buying into the bloodline and you can expect some reassurance that your new pup is going to be healthy and socialized from the beginning.
Reputable, licensed breeders have various costs to account for when rearing puppies. The pedigree documents to prove the dog’s heritage is just one small piece of the bigger picture. The puppies’ parents typically will undergo genetic tests, health screenings, be given appropriate medical care, and be nurtured on the best food possible, which all add up to a substantial amount of cash.
Also, during the Covid-19 pandemic, there was an upswing in people wanting puppies to keep them company while spending more time at home. Which resulted in an extraordinary demand in the pet market, raising pricing quite considerably from their previous points.
Factors Influencing the Price of Westies
Let’s look at some reasons that can impact the initial purchase price of a West Highland Terrier.
Age: You’re usually likely to pay more for puppies than adult dogs. Westie pups can be taken home when they’re 8-12 weeks old and it is then when they are the most expensive. You’re buying a little creature which you are effectively going to parent from the earliest age possible and train them the way you want. You also get to choose the pup from the litter that steals your heart.
Pedigree: Having a bloodline that has been ‘selected’ successfully for desirable traits over generations will make your Westie more sought after and in turn, cost you more to buy. Reputable breeders are more likely to care about advancing the breed so will keep their dog’s lineage true to the Westie standard.
Knowledgeable breeders: Even if it costs more to buy a Westie from a knowledgeable breeder who has put in time and effort into ensuring that you are getting a healthy puppy with show-winning qualities, this investment can pay off in the future, both financially and in terms of what you gain from your Westie.
Purebred vs mixed: Mixed-breed dogs are typically sold at a lower price than purebreds.
Location: Where you live also affects the price of a Westie. If there are several breeders in your area, it’s likely they’ll adjust their pricing to be more competitive for that market.
Registration papers: Some breeders are members of a nationally recognized association such as the Kennel Club in the UK or the American Kennel Club in the United States. Registering their dogs with their respective breed organization ensures the pedigree is true and parents can be traced to verify expected traits for a Westie. This will also add to the overall price of a puppy.
Trends and popularity of a breed: One of the most influencing factors of a Westie puppy price is how popular the breed is at a given time. For example, puppies tend to be more desirable after a certain breed wins at Crufts or if a celebrity popularises them on social media.
First time or rehomed: A westie rehomed from a shelter or rescue center is always cheaper than buying a puppy direct from a breeder. Of course, there are still other costs to consider, such as vaccinations and microchip registration, neutering or spaying if the dog has not already been done and health insurance.
Advantages of Buying a Westie Puppy From a Breeder
First of all, we must emphasize that not all breeders are the same or even care for the animals they bring into this world. Try and avoid commercial breeders and puppy farmers by ensuring you buy from a licensed breeder specializing in Westies. Kennel Clubs have a directory of such entities.
Since Westies are prone to a number of serious health conditions, by getting a pup from a breeder who cares about improving the breed, the risks can be vastly reduced.
What You Get From a Reputable Breeder
- Get to meet the parents, see the pup within the litter
- Opportunity to vet previous purchasers
- You can choose your puppy from the litter
- A puppy weaned off at the right time and reared in the house
- You can ask as many questions as you want about the dog’s lineage
- Years of knowledge, experience and heritage
- Buy back guarantee should you change your mind
- The breeder should find out about you (and the pup’s new home) as well
- Pedigree and registration documents
- A few week’s insurance or at least advice on it
- A supply of food the puppy was fed on
- Puppy should be wormed at the time of taking home
- Possibility of show quality dog
- You can raise and train the Westie the way you want.
Advantages of Rescued and Rehomed Westies
If – for whatever reason – obtaining a puppy from a breeder is not for you, there are plenty of other options to have a Westie as your companion.
Luckily West Highland Terriers aren’t the type of breed that would regularly become abandoned and if they are, there are many rescues who specialize in them.
You can often see them for sale on classified ads also, but always do your due diligence and thoroughly research where you’re buying from, before introducing a dog into your home.
Older, adult dogs can become unwanted for many reasons; death of the owner, divorce, an unexpected illness the owner wasn’t prepared for can all be contributing factors.
Regardless, by adopting an adult Westie you’ll give them a second chance in life. They are known to be protective, loyal, and affectionate towards their owners, and a Westie who sees you as their ‘rescuer’ will be even more loving and bond with you quickly.
You’ll have an advantage in that you don’t have to go through the growing pains of raising a puppy, and hopefully, they are already well socialized and house trained.
Rescued and rehomed pets (not just Westies) cost less to buy as a general rule. Sometimes veterinary care, flea and tick treatments, vaccinations are included in the adoption fee.
Adopting an older dog from a shelter will also mean you’re not supporting the unscrupulous practices of puppy mills. These places are going to stay in business until people stop buying from them. So please don’t give them your custom.
What You Should Know About Rehomed Westies
If you are willing to take on an older West Highland Terrier from a rescue organization, there are some other considerations you should be aware of.
When you’re adopting from a shelter, you’ll be less likely to have information about their complete health background and previous history, especially if they were a stray.
They can be pedigree or not, but often there isn’t going to be paperwork.
They can have serious behavior problems such as barking and nipping and might need a lot of additional training to put things right. If you’re not familiar with training dogs you’ll need to consider professional help in this area. It is however not advisable to have a Westie as your first dog breed.
And lastly, be prepared to live with an elderly mutt. Rescued Westies tend to be older, often over 5 years of age and more. Nevertheless, being energetic is one of the signature traits of these little dogs, which can mean they’re still very active well into their late years.
Where to Get a Westie
As we have seen, there are many places you can acquire a West Highland White Terrier through. Some are better than others. As well as costs, you should also consider what sort of people you’re sourcing your new pet from. Are they in it to make a quick buck or do they genuinely care about the breed and the animal’s welfare?
Here’s a list of places we’d recommend start looking:
Puppies
- Kennel Clubs: these are the largest organizations that are concerned about pets’ health and wellbeing. Members must adhere to breeding guidelines and protocols to ensure the puppies are healthy and cared for. Breeders registered with most of the well-known kennel clubs are reputable, but you should do your research.
- Breeders directory: some websites collate the details of specific breeds’ breeders, including West Highland White Terriers.
Rehoming
- Westie rescue centers: there are many dedicated rescue charities in the United Kingdom and the United States just for this breed. There can be a long waiting list, and you’ll be thoroughly vetted and matched to a Westie.
- Local rescue organizations: it can be rare to find them in a rehoming organization near you and often they don’t even make it to their website because they’re gone that quickly. The best thing to do is to register your interest with them so that you’ll be one of the first people to be contacted when one comes up. This is how we got our Westie so it’s not an impossible route.
- Friends and acquaintances: sometimes you hear a friend whose circumstances have changed and needs to give up their doggie. This could be a great opportunity if you already know the dog and its previous owner.
What about pet stores?
We would strongly urge anyone interested in animal welfare to avoid getting a Westie from shops, as the vast majority source their pets from puppy farms and breeding kennels. Since pet stores need to make money too, they’ll buy them in as cheap as possible which usually means the breeder would be cutting costs (and corners) too. Pups are unlikely to have been properly cared for and they possibly come with hereditary illnesses because of negligent breeding practices.
Other Costs to Be Aware of
There is no space here to detail all the costs involved in looking after a Westie once in your care. But to give you a general idea, there will be additional costs such as:
- food
- toys
- bedding
- crate
- training
- insurance
- vet visits
- grooming
- dishes
- collar & lead
- cleaning products
Essential Items for Puppies
If you’re adopting a puppy, you’ll also need to ensure the following items are prepared to welcome them home:
- a sturdy bed and indestructible bedding
- bowls for food and water
- escape proof garden
- dog chews & toys
- puppy crates, child gates
- collar, lead, harness, ID tag
- poo bags
- grooming equipment, shampoo
- cleaning equipment – be prepared for some mess!
Read more here: What Do I Need for a New Westie Puppy?
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the average cost of purchasing a West Highland Terrier, you may be feeling a little disheartened. However, as we’ve already said, there are alternatives available to you if you don’t have the money for a pedigree Westie or just aren’t interested in spending thousands on one.
Knowledge is key when you’re exploring the options of adopting this particular breed. With the proper planning, you can save up and make the necessary preparations before purchasing your puppy, making the process more smooth and enjoyable.
Becoming the owner of a Westie not only demands an investment of money, time, and energy, but will be well worth it with returns of love, companionship, and plenty of cuddles for years to come.
Thanks for reading this article. Keep up to date with Westie Wisdom for more great posts about our canine friends.
Check out our Resources page where we put together a collection of products and links to organizations for Westie owners. We only recommend products that we believe will enhance your Westie’s quality of life.
