A Detailed Comparison of the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier.

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Carolina Dog Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Carolina Dog and for the West Highland White Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Carolina Dog or the West Highland White Terrier.

Carolina Dog versus West Highland White Terrier

Carolina Dog versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Carolina Dog is a medium-sized dog while the West Highland White Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Carolina Dog belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the West Highland White Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Carolina Dog versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Carolina Dog to the West Highland White Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier

Factor Carolina Dog West Highland White Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Height 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 13 to 22 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $500 $2220
Price Range $500 – $500 $1600 – $2700
Temperament Score 66.7 percent 89.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams until at least age 8yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Carolina Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the West Highland White Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Carolina Dog is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the West Highland White Terrier is a better pet than the Carolina Dog. So, you should get the West Highland White Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier are most different:

  • Carolina Dogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • The Similarities Between the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier

    The Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Carolina Dog versus West Highland White Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier.

    Carolina Dogs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Carolina Dogs are 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Carolina Dog versus West Highland White Terrier

    The lifespan of Carolina Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Carolina Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is 14.0 years.

    West Highland White Terriers live longer than Carolina Dogs.

    Temperament of the Carolina Dog Versus the West Highland White Terrier

    The West Highland White Terrier has a better temperament than the Carolina Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the West Highland White Terrier is 89.7 percent while the temperament score for the Carolina Dog is 66.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 66.7 percent, the Carolina Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 89.7 percent, the West Highland White Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 3 Carolina Dogs and 68 West Highland White Terriers.

    Price of Carolina Dog versus Price of West Highland White Terrier

    The average price of the Carolina Dog puppy is $500. The price of the Carolina Dog typically ranges from $500 – $500. However, the price of a Carolina Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 6 Carolina Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the West Highland White Terrier puppy is $2220. The price of the West Highland White Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2700. However, the price of the West Highland White Terrier can be as low as $600 and as high as $3999. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 103 West Highland White Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The West Highland White Terrier is more expensive than the Carolina Dog.

    Carolina Dog West Highland White Terrier
    Average Price $500 $2220
    Price Range $500 to $500 $1600 to $2700

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Carolina Dog and West Highland White Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Carolina Dog puppies or how many West Highland White Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of West Highland White Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of West Highland White Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Carolina Dog puppy or the West Highland White Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Carolina Dog versus Adopting the West Highland White Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Carolina Dogs and many West Highland White Terriers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Carolina Dog named Nena that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Carolina Dogs like Nena on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Carolina Dogs, West Highland White Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Puddles And Nacho is a Male West Highland White Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more West Highland White Terriers like Puddles And Nacho that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Chester is the name of another Carolina Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Fritz is an adorable Male West Highland White Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Carolina Dogs and West Highland White Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Carolina Dogs and West Highland White Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Carolina Dog versus West Highland White Terrier

    Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Carolina Dogs shed more than West Highland White Terriers?

    Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Carolina Dog or the West Highland White Terrier

    Carolina Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Carolina Dog or the West Highland White Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom.

    West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Carolina Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    West Highland White Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Carolina Dogs Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?

    Carolina Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Carolina Dog vs. West Highland White Terrier

    Carolina Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    West Highland White Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    West Highland White Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Carolina Dog or the West Highland White Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Carolina Dogs good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?

    Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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    West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Carolina Dogs and West Highland White Terriers?

    Carolina Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Carolina Dog Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs are not easy to train.

    West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Carolina Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Carolina Dog or the West Highland White Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    West Highland White Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Carolina Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Carolina Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Carolina Dog:

  • Treeing Tennessee Brindle (75 percent match with Carolina Dog). Here is our comparison of the West Highland White Terrier vs Treeing Tennessee Brindle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the West Highland White Terrier:

  • Bearded Collie (82 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Bearded Collie.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (84 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Carolina Dog and how the West Highland White Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Carolina Dog and of the West Highland White Terrier to other breeds:

    Carolina Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Carolina Dog versus Maltese     Carolina Dog versus Great Pyrenees     Carolina Dog versus Portuguese Pointer     Carolina Dog versus Pyredoodle     Carolina Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Carolina Dog versus Toy Poodle     Carolina Dog versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Carolina Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Afghan Hound     Carolina Dog versus Irish Setter     Carolina Dog versus Pomsky     Carolina Dog versus Cane Corso     Carolina Dog versus Brussels Griffon     Carolina Dog versus Labrador Retriever     Carolina Dog versus Sheepadoodle     Carolina Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Carolina Dog versus Redbone Coonhound     Carolina Dog versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Carolina Dog versus Chihuahua     Carolina Dog versus Irish Wolfhound     Carolina Dog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Carolina Dog versus French Spaniel     Carolina Dog versus Skye Terrier     Carolina Dog versus English Setter     Carolina Dog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     

    West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    West Highland White Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Great Pyrenees     West Highland White Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     West Highland White Terrier versus Skye Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Collie     West Highland White Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     West Highland White Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     West Highland White Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Basenji     West Highland White Terrier versus Shih Tzu     West Highland White Terrier versus Boston Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     West Highland White Terrier versus Siberian Husky     West Highland White Terrier versus Pomapoo     West Highland White Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     West Highland White Terrier versus Siberian Husky     West Highland White Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     West Highland White Terrier versus American Foxhound     West Highland White Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     West Highland White Terrier versus Bloodhound     West Highland White Terrier versus Vizsla     West Highland White Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     West Highland White Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     West Highland White Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     

    Conclusion: Carolina Dog versus West Highland White Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Carolina Dog and the West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.