Westie Maltese Behavior

A Westie Maltese dog is a cross between a Maltese and a West Highland white terrier. Its official name with the American Canine Hybrid Club and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club is Highland Maltie. A Highland Maltie that is bred from a purebred Maltese and a purebred West Highland white terrier will have behavioral traits of both breeds. Generally, they are social and playful dogs with a lot of energy that requires consistent training to housebreak.

  1. Personality

    • Taking after its parents, Highland Malties are generally lively dogs with friendly personalities. Maltese are gentle, energetic and self-assured dogs. West Highland white terriers have even more energy and are also brave and highly curious. This makes Highland Malties a good dog for families with young children, as they love to play and are easy to get along with. Both Maltese and West Highland white terriers are intelligent dogs, so a Highland Maltie will be alert and engaged with those around it.

    Outside

    • Highland Malties' high-energy level means they need at least one walk a day, during which time they will most likely run around and be easily distracted due to their curiosity. If the Highland Maltie takes after its West Highland white terrier parent more, then it will need to be exercised vigorously and regularly or else it may dig holes and chew things compulsively to work off its energy. If the Highland Maltie is more like its Maltese parent, it will be a little calmer but will still want daily walks.

    At Home

    • While Highland Malties are intelligent and can easily pickup tricks, their mischievous and independent natures can make them hard to house train. West Highland white terriers generally don't like being told what to do and need a lot of treats to be motivated. Maltese can have a similar independent personality, so it's sometimes six to eight months before a Maltese stops relieving itself all over the house. Highland Malties should never be corrected physically or with aggressive shouts, as they may react with loud barks and bites. Harsh training may also make it distrustful of human beings. Once fully trained and let out of its crate, a Highland Maltie may act just like its West Highland white terrier parent by positioning itself near the window to see all the neighborhood happenings and bark at everything and everyone that goes by.

    Behavior Problems

    • Like other small dogs, a Highland Maltie may have some behavioral problems due to the way it was raised. If a Highland Maltie is treated like a baby and gets spoiled, it may exhibit bratty behavior when it doesn't get its way. Some dogs that are constantly lavished with personal attention may also develop separation anxiety, resulting in destructive actions such as soiling the house and tearing things up when the owner leaves. Raising the Highland Maltie with boundaries and rules early on will ensure that its playful and gentle behavior is not overtaken by bad habits.