AN OPEN LETTER TO WESTIE JUDGES

[Editor's Note: In response to concerns expressed by Westie breeders and owners across the country, club president Dawn Diemer in October 1995 appointed a committee of three board members to compose a letter intended to be sent all those persons licensed by The American Kennel Club to judge West Highland White Terriers. The first draft of the letter was mailed to board members prior to the April 1996 meeting of the board and was discussed during that meeting. A second draft, incorporating changes asked for by the board was sent board members shortly after the meeting and a third draft was sent all board members late in June. The approved letter was mailed to those 229 persons currently approved as judges on 1 August 1996. The letter follows.]

Dear West Highland Judge,

Perhaps you think this is another letter from a breed club to judges concerning the Standard. If you do, you are right. However, it is not the purpose of the West Highland White Terrier Club of America to lecture you on a subject you already know. This letter reflects the earnest wish of the WHWTCA to enlist your help to bring our breed closer to the quality we all seek; you in judging and we in breeding and showing.

While being ever mindful of the importance of balance and the integrity of the whole dog, the WHWTCA is particularly concerned about four areas in our Standard - SIZE, HEAD, FRONT ASSEMBLY and COAT TEXTURE. It appears that too many dogs that fall short in these areas still win in open competition. The WHWTCA hopes that with this letter you will appreciate our concerns and reward dogs that excel in these areas. Happily, all our concerns can be adequately addressed in judging by considering the West Highland's original purpose when reviewing an entry.

Regarding SIZE, too often this important specification is honored more in the breach than in the observance. An ideal height of eleven inches for dogs and ten inches for bitches with a slight deviation being acceptable is appropriate for a dog that goes to ground. The size of many dogs today is a serious problem for many fanciers. Please, for the sake of the present and future health of the breed, strive to reward West Highland White Terriers of the correct size, shunning both extremes of oversize and undersize.

Regarding HEAD, the signature of any breed, please remember that the head engages the game first. As such it must be strong with powerful, punishing jaws. Such a dog is apt to have a broad foreface. With this broad foreface, the dog will also show a powerful backskull wide enough to allow for correct ear and eye placement. We need you to help the breed by consistently selecting for these features.

Regarding FRONT ASSEMBLY, the West Highland is a relatively low stationed breed and it is an important component of breed type that there be a strong chest placed in front of the forelegs. This is what is meant by the words definite body overhang. Body overhang is achieved by the correct angulation of the scapula and upper arm which is long enough to place the foreleg in the desired position relative to the overall anatomy. Too many Westies today have short upper arms and straight shoulders. They cannot move correctly because they are not made correctly. If they win in spite of their construction, the West Highland White Terrier will be in danger of losing one of its most important anchors of breed type.

Regarding COAT TEXTURE, we need to stress the double coat and the words hard straight and white. We all want to see impeccably white, hard coats, but a very hard may show some wheaten tipping. When we must, we compromise, just as you must compromise. Since the Standard gives preference to a hard, off-white coat over a fluffy one, we must breed and you must judge accordingly.

Thank you for taking the time to read this rather lengthy missive. We hope that you help us upgrade type in the West Highland. It is in your hands to direct the future of breed every time you judge it. We hope our concerns will help you in judging the Highland White Terrier because his well-being is of concern to us all.

Sincerely yours,

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors, West Highland White Terrier Club of America

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