If you’ve ever watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, you know the Terrier Group is basically a shark tank. It’s loud, it’s intense, and the competition is absolutely brutal. Right in the middle of that chaos, you’ll usually find a small, snowy-white firecracker: the West Highland White Terrier.
People love Westies. They have those "carrot" tails, dark button eyes, and a "self-esteem" that would make a Fortune 500 CEO look humble. But here is the thing that bugs a lot of fans: despite being one of the most recognizable dogs on the planet, the Westminster Dog Show West Highland Terrier history is surprisingly light on top-tier trophies.
Honestly, it’s kinda weird when you think about it.
The 62-Year Drought and the "Little White Meteor"
Let's look at the cold, hard numbers. Since the show started in 1877, only two Westies have ever taken the ultimate prize: Best in Show (BIS).
The first was a bitch named Ch. Wolvey Pattern of Edgerstoune back in 1942. The second—and most famous—was Ch. Elfinbrook Simon in 1962. They called Simon the "little white sparkling meteor." He had this insane showmanship that just lit up Madison Square Garden. When his handler, George Ward, would gait him around the ring, Simon didn't just walk; he owned the floor.
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Since 1962? Absolute silence at the very top.
We’ve seen plenty of Westies win the Terrier Group—like the big win in 2021 by a dog named Boy (GCHS CH Crystal Boy De La Pomme)—but they always seem to hit a wall when it comes to the final seven. Just this past year in 2024, a local favorite named Sevy (GCHG CH Elvador Starlight Goblet of Fire) took Best of Breed, but the Terrier Group win eventually went to a Skye Terrier named Archer.
What Judges Are Actually Looking At
You might think a Westie is just a cute white dog, but at Westminster, the judges are looking for a "hardy, game, and compact" hunter. They aren't judging the dog against the other dogs; they are judging the dog against a "standard"—a written blueprint of what the perfect West Highland Terrier should be.
- The Head: It has to look round from the front. This is mostly due to the "chrysanthemum" grooming style. If the face looks too long or the ears are floppy, they’re out.
- The Coat: This is the big one. It’s a double coat. The outer layer must be harsh and wiry. If a Westie feels soft or "fluffy" like a Bichon, a judge will ding them immediately.
- The Tail: It’s supposed to look like a carrot. Short, thick at the base, and never docked.
- The Attitude: A Westie that looks bored is a losing Westie. They need that "varmint-hunting" spark.
Why Grooming is a Nightmare
If you want to enter a Westminster Dog Show West Highland Terrier contender, you can't just use clippers. Clipping a Westie’s coat ruins the texture. It makes the hair soft and curly, which is a disqualification in the eyes of a serious judge.
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Instead, handlers use a technique called hand-stripping. They literally pull out the dead outer hair by hand (or with a stripping knife) to allow the new, wiry coat to grow in. It takes months of preparation. One wrong pull or a bad "blown" coat, and your chances at Westminster are toasted.
The "Terrier Group" Problem
Part of the reason Westies don't win Best in Show more often is because they are stuck in the toughest group in the show. The Terrier Group is dominated by Wire Fox Terriers, who have won Best in Show 15 times.
It’s hard for a 11-inch Westie to stand out next to the flashy movement of a Wire Fox or the elegant silhouette of an Airedale. Westies are built low to the ground for squeezing into Scottish rock crevices to find foxes. That "compact" build is great for hunting, but it doesn't always have the "big ring presence" that judges gravitate toward during the televised finals.
How to Get Your Westie to Show Quality
Maybe you aren't headed to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (where the show has been held recently) anytime soon, but you can still treat your Westie like a champion.
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- Stop the Shaving: If you want that classic Westie look, find a groomer who knows how to hand-strip. If you clip them, they’ll turn into a "cotton ball" and lose that weather-resistant coat.
- Watch the Skin: Westies are notorious for allergies. A show dog can’t have red, itchy skin. Most pros use high-protein, grain-free diets to keep the coat snowy white.
- Training "The Stack": Show dogs have to stand perfectly still (stacking) while a stranger feels their bones. Start practicing this at home with high-value treats.
- Socialize Like Crazy: Westminster is loud. If your dog is "spooky" around crowds, they’ll never make it past the first round of breed judging.
The Westminster Dog Show West Highland Terrier remains a fan favorite for a reason. They might not have the trophy count of a Wire Fox Terrier, but they have a "big dog in a small body" energy that is impossible to ignore. Whether they win Best in Show or not, they usually end up stealing the broadcast.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the official Westminster Kennel Club website for the 2026 schedule to see when the Terrier Group is being judged.
- If you're a Westie owner, look for a local AKC Earthdog club. It’s a non-competitive way to see if your dog still has those hunting instincts that judges look for in the ring.
- Search for "GCHG CH Elvador Starlight Goblet of Fire" on YouTube to see what a modern, top-tier Westie looks like in motion.
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