Why did Colonel Malcolm prioritize breeding white Westies for field work?
Answer
A white dog could be easily distinguished from its quarry in the brown and grey landscape
The transition to a uniformly white coat was a critical, practical adaptation driven by safety concerns during hunts in the Scottish Highlands. The landscape of the region is characterized by brown and grey tones, making dark-colored terriers highly susceptible to being confused with quarry, such as foxes. By selecting specifically for white coloration, Colonel Malcolm ensured that his working terriers were instantly recognizable to the hunting party against the natural backdrop, thus preventing accidental shootings, which was the primary motivation behind this color selection.
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