Australian TerrierVSWest Highland White Terrier

The Australian Terrier is known for being spirited, affectionate, courageous, while the West Highland White Terrier is typically described as confident, loyal, entertaining. These distinct personality traits mean each breed offers a different kind of companionship.

Both breeds share a similar playfulness level at 4/5, so you can expect comparable levels of fun and games from either one.

The Australian Terrier is a small breed standing 23–28 cm (9–11 in) tall and weighing 6–7 kg (13–15 lbs). In comparison, the West Highland White Terrier is a small breed at 25–28 cm (10–11 in) and 6–10 kg (13–22 lbs).

These two breeds are quite similar in size, so space and food requirements will be comparable for either choice.

The Australian Terrier has a wiry coat available in blue and tan, sandy, red, while the West Highland White Terrier sports a wiry coat in white. Coat type significantly impacts grooming needs and shedding, which we cover below.

The Australian Terrier has high energy (4/5) with moderate exercise needs (3/5). The West Highland White Terrier has moderate energy (3/5) and moderate exercise needs (3/5).

Both breeds have similar exercise requirements, so your daily activity routine won't change much regardless of which you choose. Plan for regular walks and play sessions to keep either breed content.

For apartment dwellers, the Australian Terrier is the stronger choice with an apartment-friendliness score of 5/5, compared to the West Highland White Terrier's 4/5. The West Highland White Terrier generally does better with access to a yard or larger living space.

Both breeds shed at a similar rate (2/5), so you can expect comparable amounts of loose fur from either one.

Grooming-wise, the West Highland White Terrier needs more upkeep (4/5) than the Australian Terrier (2/5). The West Highland White Terrier's wiry coat demands regular professional grooming to stay in top shape.

Annual grooming costs average around $150 for the Australian Terrier and $400 for the West Highland White Terrier. Factor this into your budget when deciding between the two.

The Australian Terrier has a lifespan of 11–15 years, while the West Highland White Terrier lives 13–15 years. The West Highland White Terrier generally has a longer lifespan.

In terms of overall health robustness, the Australian Terrier scores 4/5 compared to the West Highland White Terrier's 3/5. The Australian Terrier is generally a hardier breed with fewer genetic health concerns.

Common health issues for the Australian Terrier include patellar luxation, diabetes, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, allergies. The West Highland White Terrier is prone to atopic dermatitis, patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, pulmonary fibrosis. Regular vet checkups and health screenings are essential for both breeds.

Annual vet costs average $400 for the Australian Terrier and $450 for the West Highland White Terrier. Pet insurance is worth considering for either breed.

The Australian Terrier is easier to train with a trainability score of 4/5, making it more suitable for first-time dog owners. The West Highland White Terrier scores 3/5 and may require more patience and experience during training sessions.

Both breeds match in intelligence at 4/5, so expect similar learning speeds and mental stimulation needs from either choice.

Regardless of which breed you choose, early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training are key to raising a well-behaved dog. Puppy classes are a great investment for either breed.

Both the Australian Terrier and West Highland White Terrier score 4/5 for intelligence, putting them on equal footing mentally. They'll learn commands at similar speeds and need comparable amounts of mental stimulation to stay happy and well-behaved.

These breeds excel in different types of intelligence. The Australian Terrier leans toward obedience intelligence — quickly learning and responding to commands from their handler. The West Highland White Terrier, on the other hand, shows strong instinctive intelligence — excelling at breed-specific tasks through natural instinct rather than learned behavior.

For either breed, mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, scent work, and interactive toys keep intelligent dogs engaged and prevent the boredom that leads to chewing, digging, or excessive barking.

For families with children, the Australian Terrier is the stronger choice, scoring 4/5 for kid-friendliness compared to the West Highland White Terrier's 3/5. The Australian Terrier's spirited nature makes it a natural fit for households with young ones.

The West Highland White Terrier is more welcoming to strangers (4/5), while the Australian Terrier tends to be more reserved (3/5). If you frequently have guests, the West Highland White Terrier's sociable nature will make entertaining easier.

The initial purchase price for a Australian Terrier ranges from $1,000–$2,000, while a West Highland White Terrier typically costs $800–$1,800. The Australian Terrier has a higher upfront cost.

Ongoing annual costs (food, vet, grooming) come to approximately $850 for the Australian Terrier and $1,270 for the West Highland White Terrier. The West Highland White Terrier costs more annually, largely because of higher food costs.

Monthly food costs run about $25 for the Australian Terrier and $35 for the West Highland White Terrier. Over a typical lifespan, the total cost of ownership can differ by thousands of dollars, so it's worth factoring in the long-term financial commitment.