Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier – Which one is a better dog breed for you?

"Find similarities and differences between Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier" Compare Scottish Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer. Which is better: Scottish Terrier or Miniature Schnauzer or West Highland White Terrier?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Scottish Terrier	Miniature Schnauzer	West Highland White Terrier
Origins	Scotland	Germany	Scotland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Hunting Dogs	Hunting Dogs	Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank	58	18	42
Reviews	1	2	1
Rate

Other Names	Scottie, Aberdeenie	Zwergschnauzer	Poltalloch Terrier, Roseneath Terrier, White Roseneath Terrier, Westie (or Westy)
Breed Type	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred
AKC Group	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Terrier breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1926 as a Terrier breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Terrier breed.
FCI Group	Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Small sized Terriers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Pinscher and Schnauzer type section.	Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Small sized Terriers section.
Breed Recognition	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry Club Espanol De Terriers	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Club Espanol De Terriers
Price	$800-$1000	$600-$1000	$900-$1200

General Appearance - Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier

Size	Small	Small	Small
Weight	19-23 pounds (8.5-10.5 kg)	Male: 11-18 pounds (5.0-8.2 kg), Female: 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg)	Male: 15-22 pounds (7-10 kg), Female: 13-16 pounds (6-7 kg)
Avg. Weight	21 pounds (8.5-10.5 kg)	Male: 14.5 pounds (5.0-8.2 kg), Female: 12.5 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg)	Male: 18.5 pounds (8.5 kg), Female: 14.5 pounds (6.5 kg)
Height	10-11 inches (25-28 cm)	Male: 14 inches (35.6 cm), Female: 13 inches (33.0 cm)	Male: 10-12 inches (25-30 cm), Female: 9-11 inches (23-28 cm)
Avg. Height	10.5 inches (26.5 cm)	Male: 14 inches (35.6 cm), Female: 13 inches (33.0 cm)	Male: 11 inches (27.5 cm), Female: 10 inches (25.5 cm)

Hair & Care - Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier

Coat	Wiry	Wiry	Dense
Colors	Brindle Silver Red Wheaten Black	Salt Pepper Silver Black	White
Grooming	Average: The Scottish Terrier requires average grooming effort.	Advanced: The Miniature Schnauzer requires a lot of grooming.	Advanced: The West Highland White Terrier requires a lot of grooming.
Shedding Level	Scottish Terriers shed none to minimal.	Miniature Schnauzers shed none to minimal.	West Highland White Terriers shed none to minimal.

Characteristics - Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier

Temperament	Independent Alert Quick Playful Selfish	Alert Friendly Obedient Fearless Intelligent Spirited	Affectionate Courageous Friendly Independent Alert Intelligent
Intelligent Rank	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one.	Very smart: Miniature Schnauzer is an excellent dog breed.	Average: West Highland White Terrier's has average obedience intelligence.
Trainability	Scottish Terriers are quite easy to train.	Miniature Schnauzers are easy to train.	West Highland White Terriers are easy to train.
Playfulness	Scottish Terriers, like any other dog breed, like playing.	Miniature Schnauzers, like any other dog breed, like playing.	The West Highland White Terrier is a highly playful breed.
Sensitivity Level	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
Affection Level	Scottish Terriers are highly affectionate dogs.	Miniature Schnauzers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	West Highland White Terriers are highly affectionate dogs.
Social Needs	Scottish Terriers are a social breed.	Miniature Schnauzers are a social breed.	West Highland White Terriers are a social breed.
Barking	Low: The Scottish Terrier barks none to minimal.	Average: The Miniature Schnauzer barks occasionally.	High: The West Highland White Terrier is a very vocal breed.
Watchdog Ability	Scottish Terriers are average watchdogs.	Miniature Schnauzers are one of the best watchdogs.	West Highland White Terriers are average watchdogs.
Territorial	Scottish Terriers are extremely protective guard dogs.	Miniature Schnauzers strongly protect their territory.	West Highland White Terriers are extremely protective guard dogs.
Biting Potential	Low The Scottish Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Miniature Schnauzer has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The West Highland White Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness	Scottish Terriers have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Miniature Schnauzers have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	West Highland White Terriers have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
Impulse to Wander or Roam	Scottish Terriers have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world.	Miniature Schnauzers have average wanderlust potential.	West Highland White Terriers have average wanderlust potential.
Prey Drive	Scottish Terriers have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.	Miniature Schnauzers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.	West Highland White Terriers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
Apartment Friendly	Scottish Terriers are very apartment-friendly dogs.	Miniature Schnauzers are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day.	West Highland White Terriers are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day.
Adaptability	Scottish Terriers adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	West Highland White Terriers adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone	Scottish Terriers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Miniature Schnauzers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	West Highland White Terriers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.
Fighting Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Good With - Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier

Stranger Friendly	Scottish Terriers are average friendly towards strangers.	Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards strangers.	West Highland White Terriers are stranger friendly dogs.
Child Friendly	Scottish Terriers are kid-friendly dogs.	Miniature Schnauzers are kid-friendly dogs.	West Highland White Terriers are kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly	Scottish Terriers are average friendly towards cats.	Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards cats.	West Highland White Terriers are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Friendly	Scottish Terriers are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards other dogs.	West Highland White Terriers are dog-friendly dogs.
Office Friendly	No Scottish Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Miniature Schnauzer is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No West Highland White Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly	Scottish Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.	Miniature Schnauzers are usually recommended for elderly people.	West Highland White Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.
Pet Friendly	Scottish Terriers are generally with other pets.	Miniature Schnauzers are generally with other pets.	West Highland White Terriers are generally with other pets.
Good For First Time Owners	No Scottish Terriers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Miniature Schnauzers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No West Highland White Terriers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.
Service Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.
Therapy Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.
Boat Dog	Not really Scottish Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Yes Miniature Schnauzer breed usually likes being on a boat.	Not really West Highland White Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

Health Factors - Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier

Health Issues	Scottish Terriers are commonly healthy dogs.	The Miniature Schnauzer is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	Very healthy dog breed.
Health Problems	Craniomandibular Osteopathy Patellar Luxation Scottie Cramp Von Willebrand's Disease	Cataracts Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection (MAI) Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)	Atopic Dermatitis Cataracts Craniomandibular Osteopathy Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy Hyperplastic Dermatosis Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Legg-perthes Disease Patellar Luxation Pulmonary Fibrosis White Dog Shaker Syndrome
Life Expectancy	11-13 years	12-14 years	12-16 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic	Yes	Yes	Yes
Energy Level	Scottish Terriers have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	Miniature Schnauzers are high energy dogs.	West Highland White Terriers have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Exercise Need	Scottish Terriers have an average exercise need.	Miniature Schnauzers have an average exercise need.	West Highland White Terriers need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need	Scottish Terriers are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping.	Miniature Schnauzers don't need too much sleep.	West Highland White Terriers are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping.
Avg. daily food consumption	Recommended daily amount: 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day.	1/2 to 1 cup dry food a day.	1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential	Average.	Average to High.	Average to High.
Weather & Climate	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Scottish Terrier can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Miniature Schnauzer can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The West Highland White Terrier can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.
Stinkiness	Medium The Scottish Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.	Low The Miniature Schnauzer has a low chance of bad smell.	Low The West Highland White Terrier has a low chance of bad smell.
Drooling tendency	The Scottish Terrier is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	The Miniature Schnauzer is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	The West Highland White Terrier is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.

Reproducibility - Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier

Gestation Length	60-64 days	60-64 days	60-64 days
How often can the have a litter?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.
Litter Size	2-5 puppies	3-6 puppies	2-5 puppies
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