Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of West Highland White Terrier
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies West Highland White Terrier Will Have
- How Much Does the West Highland White Terrier Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a West Highland White Terrier Puppy Get?
- How Much is a West Highland White Terrier Puppy
- How Long is a West Highland White Terrier Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in West Highland White Terrier
- Conclusion on West Highland White Terrier Litter Size
Average Litter Size of West Highland White Terrier
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 37 different West Highland White Terrier birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that West Highland White Terriers can have is 3 puppies. Also, the West Highland White Terrier can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 8 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the West Highland White Terrier compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies West Highland White Terrier Will Have
West Highland White Terrier Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a West Highland White Terrier will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female West Highland White Terrier is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the West Highland White Terrier litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a West Highland White Terrier will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a West Highland White Terrier
The calculator tells you how many puppies your West Highland White Terrier will have if your West Highland White Terrier gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your West Highland White Terrier. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a West Highland White Terrier at different ages. This table applies to a West Highland White Terrier that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 3 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 4 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 5 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 6 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 7 | 4 puppies | 1 to 7 puppies |
| 8 | 4 puppies | 1 to 7 puppies |
| 9 | 3 puppies | 0 to 7 puppies |
How Much Does the West Highland White Terrier Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much West Highland White Terrier puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 68 West Highland White Terrier puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 68 West Highland White Terrier puppies, the average weight of the West Highland White Terrier at birth is 180 grams (6.3 ounces). The birth weight of the West Highland White Terrier puppy typically ranges from 150 grams (5.3 ounces) to 200 grams (7.1 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a West Highland White Terrier puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
How Big Will a West Highland White Terrier Puppy Get?
A West Highland White Terrier puppy will grow up to weigh around 13 to 22 pounds. Furthermore, a West Highland White Terrier puppy will grow up to be 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder.
Learn more about West Highland White Terrier weight and how big West Highland White Terriers grow here
How Much is a West Highland White Terrier Puppy
The average price of a West Highland White Terrier puppy is $2220. The price of a West Highland White Terrier puppy ranges from $1600 to $2700.
Since the West Highland White Terrier has an average litter size of 3, therefore a West Highland White Terrier litter birth is worth $6660.
To learn more about the price of West Highland White Terrier puppy, check our review on how much West Highland White Terrier puppy cost, and West Highland White Terrier buying advice.
How Long is a West Highland White Terrier Pregnant?
West Highland White Terriers are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in West Highland White Terriers can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your West Highland White Terrier conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female West Highland White Terrier for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in West Highland White Terrier
To ensure that your West Highland White Terrier successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your West Highland White Terrier well: A good diet will ensure that your West Highland White Terrier has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your West Highland White Terrier is in good health: Ensure you take your West Highland White Terrier to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your West Highland White Terrier gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your West Highland White Terrier is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on West Highland White Terrier Litter Size
West Highland White Terriers can have 3 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a West Highland White Terrier will have depends on factors such as the age of the West Highland White Terrier and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding West Highland White Terriers the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a West Highland White Terrier. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your West Highland White Terrier gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on West Highland White Terriers in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.