West Highland White Terrier
VS
Papillon
West Highland White Terrier vs Papillon
Compare West Highland White Terrier and Papillon side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
West Highland White Terrier
Papillon
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
27 – 28 cm
25 – 28 cm
Weight
7 – 9 kg
3 – 5 kg
Life expectancy
12 – 16 years
13 – 15 years
Child friendly
5/5
4/5
Energy level
3/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
5/5
Trainability
3/5
5/5
Health
2/5
5/5
Grooming needs
5/5
4/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
4/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
2/5
Characteristics
West Highland White Terrier
Great with kids
Small
Papillon
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Tiny
Summary
About West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier is a small, sturdy Scottish terrier with a harsh white coat that sheds lightly. Confident, vocal and independent yet affectionate, it suits city or country homes. Needs daily walks, mental stimulation, regular grooming and consistent, reward‑based training.
About Papillon
The Papillon is a small, elegant toy dog with large butterfly-like ears, a fine, silky parti-coloured coat and a plumed tail. Lively, intelligent and highly trainable, it enjoys activity and mental stimulation, makes an alert watchdog, needs regular brushing, and often lives into the mid–late teens.
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