| There are only a few breeds that have a stunning | | | | Maltese. A Maltese who is secure in his place in the |
| white coat and the Maltese and West Highland | | | | pack and has a strong Alpha leader is fine with |
| Terrier are two of them. The Maltese has a single | | | | younger children but a Maltese who is overly |
| layer, white silky coat which is kept long for the | | | | pampered and thinks he is boss is likely to be |
| show ring but many owners choose to keep it cut | | | | snappish. The Maltese is the smaller of the two |
| short to make grooming easier. The Westie has the | | | | breeds weighing in around six pounds. The Westie is |
| Terrier coat which is double layered to protect him in | | | | a solid 15 to 22 pounds. |
| the field. The outer coat is about two inches long and | | | | |
| is coarse while the undercoat is dense and soft. The | | | | There are a few more things that these breeds do |
| Maltese began as a dog of royalty. His sweet, playful | | | | have in common. Both are ideally suited for |
| and gentle nature made him a favorite with the | | | | apartment life as long as they are walked daily. They |
| nobility and his devotion is almost unrivaled. Before | | | | both also have a long life expectancy averaging 15 |
| the dog handbag was invented, women of the court | | | | years. Some Maltese even live to 17 or 18 years |
| carried Maltese in their sleeves. The Westie, | | | | old. They also share a place in art history. Art objects |
| however, was developed as a working dog in | | | | dating back 3000 years bear a similar figure to the |
| Scotland. They are essentially a white Cairn Terrier. | | | | Maltese. They are also seen in ancient Greek |
| | | | | ceramic art. They were often painted in the Royal |
| Beyond their startling coats, these breeds have little | | | | Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I's reign. Westies were |
| in common. The Maltese is subdued, only acting | | | | very popular in paintings during the 1800s, including Sir |
| aggressively if he feels his owner is threatened. The | | | | Edwin Landseer's painting in 1831 titled "The Breakfast |
| Westie is a game dog, like all Terriers, who will happily | | | | Party." And West Highland Terrier's are used in pop |
| tell the Dobie down the street what he thinks of him. | | | | art today, such as the "Warhol-like" pieces by Laura |
| Westies are not known to actually start dog fights, | | | | Sotka. |
| though, especially if they are well trained. The Westie | | | | |
| loves to be outside and busy. They also love to | | | | You may dream of owning one of these breeds. Or |
| travel. They are a robust and spirited dogs. The | | | | perhaps you already carry a Maltese in a Gucci dog |
| Maltese is a homebody and, indeed, an owner has to | | | | handbag or walk the moors with your West Highland |
| be careful that his Maltese is not exposed to too | | | | Terrier. Whichever one you have or choose to adopt, |
| much heat and dampness. The Westie is considered | | | | both breeds are good all around dogs in a small |
| to be excellent with children while it depends with the | | | | package. |