What became necessary in the early 20th century regarding the white dog type?
Answer
Differentiating the white dog from the Cairn Terrier
As the white terrier became more distinct and popular, a formal refinement process began in the early 20th century. A key goal of this standardization was the official separation of the West Highland White Terrier from the Cairn Terrier. Since both breeds shared substantial ancestry, establishing a formal breed club and written standard became crucial to clearly differentiate the desired conformation and characteristics of the white dog, turning what was a loose type into a recognized, distinct entity.

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