What vermin did early Westies primarily control in the Scottish Highlands?
Answer
Foxes, badgers, and rats
The initial purpose of the small terriers native to the Scottish Highlands, which included the ancestors of the Westie, was functional pest and vermin control. Landowners and farmers relied on these dogs to aggressively manage populations of animals that threatened both livestock and valuable game reserves. The specific vermin targeted for removal included foxes, which posed a threat to game; badgers; and rats, which damaged crops, requiring the dogs to be tenacious hunters capable of operating underground.
Related Questions
Where were the West Highland White Terriers originally forged for their rugged history?What vermin did early Westies primarily control in the Scottish Highlands?Which other breeds belong to the larger family of Scottish terriers alongside the Westie?What tragedy spurred Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm to breed only white dogs?Why did Colonel Malcolm prioritize breeding white Westies for field work?What became necessary in the early 20th century regarding the white dog type?How might a dog bred purely for tenacity underground differ structurally?What core personality trait was selected for in terriers needing to work underground?What should owners substitute for the inherent need for earthwork in a modern Westie?What texture of coat did a good working terrier require for the Highlands?