What temperament trait, rooted in their history, might cause a Westie to test household rules consistently?
Answer
Their deep-seated independence, developed from working without constant human direction.
The Westie's personality is directly shaped by its origins as a working terrier bred to operate independently in harsh Scottish environments, often underground, requiring them to make crucial decisions without immediate human input. This forged independence translates into a strong self-will that surfaces in domestic life. This intelligence combined with independence means they are capable of testing boundaries and may refuse commands they find uninteresting or irrelevant, demanding patient, consistent leadership from their owners to ensure adherence to household rules.
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