The West Highland Terrier is an elegant-looking dog breed with a compact, sturdy body, small enough and with short enough legs to go where its quarry would take it. He is an intelligent dog who learns quickly. He loves human companionship and will play with his family indoors or out. The West Highland Terrier is a very independent and stubborn dog breed. Affectionate with its owners, the West Highland Terrier can be timid around strangers and dislikes roughhousing.