West Highland White Terriers, or Westies, are confident little terriers with a bright white, harsh coat and a rounded, chrysanthemum-shaped head. Their coat sheds little and is fairly weather resistant, but it needs regular trimming or hand-stripping and steady skin care to look and feel its best.
- Coat type: Wire coat
- Routine: Plan for a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks, whether clipped or hand-stripped.
- Key tools: Slicker brush, medium and fine metal comb, stripping knife or stone
What kind of coat does a Westie have?
Westies have a double coat: a harsh, straight outer coat over a soft, dense undercoat. Show dogs are hand-stripped to keep the harsh texture; most pet Westies are clipped, which is easier and softens the coat. White coats show tear, saliva and dirt staining, and Westies are known for sensitive, itchy skin.
Coat type, more than breed name, is what decides how often a dog needs a bath, a brush or a haircut. Mixes and individual dogs vary, so treat the schedule below as a starting point and adjust it to your dog's lifestyle, skin and how quickly the coat gets dirty or tangled.
How often should you groom a Westie?
Plan for a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks, whether clipped or hand-stripped. Bathe no more than every 3 to 4 weeks, since frequent baths can dry the skin. Brush 2 to 3 times a week, comb the face and beard daily, trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks and check ears weekly.
How to bathe a Westie at home
- Brush and comb out the beard, eyebrows and leg furnishings first.
- Wet with lukewarm water and use a gentle shampoo. Wire coats only need occasional baths; the beard may need rinsing more often.
- Rinse thoroughly, especially the beard and leg hair, where residue collects.
- Skip heavy conditioners on the jacket so the coat stays crisp; a little on the furnishings is fine.
- Towel-dry and finish with a dryer while combing the furnishings.
- Comb the beard after meals to keep food from building up.
Always use a shampoo made for dogs; human shampoo is formulated for a different skin pH. Keep water out of the ears, and give a treat at the end so bath time stays positive.
Brushing routine
Use a slicker brush on the body, then a metal comb on the legs, face and beard. Brushing also lifts out dead hair and helps you notice redness or scratching early.
Short, frequent sessions beat one long struggle. Two to ten minutes, a few times a week, keeps most coats in good shape and gives you a chance to spot skin problems, lumps, ticks or sore spots early.
Fitting the routine into your week
Make the beard part of the daily routine: wipe and comb after meals. Brush the body once a week and comb the leg furnishings a few times a week. Decide early whether you prefer the soft, easy clipped look or the crisp hand-stripped look, and tell your groomer, because the two need different schedules.
Tools you'll need
- Slicker brush
- Medium and fine metal comb
- Stripping knife or stone (if you hand-strip)
- Small scissors for the eyebrows and beard
- Gentle dog shampoo (heavy conditioners soften a wire coat)
- Nail clippers or a grinder
Tools from the Pawradise shop: Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush · Stainless Steel Grooming Comb (2-Pack)
Mango's guides: a happy coat between grooms
Printable PDF guides from our groomers, with Mango as your coach. Instant download after checkout, anywhere in the US. English and Spanish editions included.
- Mango's Starter Kit: Brushing Guide + Calendar · $19.99 (best value)
- Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide · $14.99
- Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists · $7.99
Common Westie grooming mistakes
- Ignoring the beard. Food and water trapped in the beard cause odor and staining. Wipe and comb it daily.
- Clipping when you want texture. Clipping is easy and fine for pets, but over time it softens the coat and fades the color. Hand-stripping keeps the harsh texture.
- Forgetting the furnishings. Leg and face hair mats like a long coat if you skip combing.
- Treating itchy skin as a grooming problem. Westies commonly have skin sensitivities. Frequent scratching, licking, odor or red skin is a reason to see your veterinarian, not just to bathe more often.
Westie grooming FAQ
Do Westies shed?
Very little. Regular brushing and trims remove dead hair.
How often should a Westie be groomed?
Every 4 to 6 weeks for a clip or hand-strip, with brushing several times a week.
Should I hand-strip or clip my Westie?
Hand-stripping keeps the harsh texture and bright color; clipping is faster, easier and softer. Most pet owners choose clipping.
How do I keep my Westie white?
Comb and wipe the face daily, dry the beard after meals and use a gentle dog shampoo. Ask your vet if tear staining is heavy.
How often should I bathe a Westie puppy?
Puppies usually need fewer baths than adults: bathe only when dirty, with a gentle shampoo made for dogs, and keep them warm until fully dry. Use short, positive sessions to get them used to water, brushing, nail trims and the dryer. Ask your vet when your puppy is ready for a professional groom.
Can I groom a Westie at home?
Yes, most of the routine can be done at home: brushing, baths, ear checks and nail trims. Clipping or hand-stripping is usually easier to leave to a groomer.
How much does it cost to groom a Westie?
It depends on the salon, your dog's coat condition and whether you choose clipping or hand-stripping. Westies are small, but their harsh white coat needs a full groom with a trim and face shaping; hand-stripping takes longer and usually costs more than clipping. A professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks keeps the coat neat and the price more predictable. See what affects dog grooming prices. New to our Boca Raton salon? Get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing is always included).
This guide offers general grooming information. For skin, ear or coat problems that don't improve, talk to your veterinarian. More Pawfile breed guides.