Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chinook Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
- Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
- Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier
- Lifespan of Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier
- Temperament of the West Highland White Terrier Versus the Chinook
- The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
- Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of West Highland White Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier
- Do Chinooks shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Chinook or the West Highland White Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. West Highland White Terrier
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and West Highland White Terriers?
- Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinook
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chinook Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook or the West Highland White Terrier.
Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the West Highland White Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chinook belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
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.
Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chinook 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 Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier
| Factor | Chinook | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 13 to 22 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1600 – $2700 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2220 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 89.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 177 | 41 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Chinook is 87 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 Chinook is a better pet than the West Highland White Terrier. So, you should get the Chinook!
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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier
Below is a list of where the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier
The Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier.
Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall 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 Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier
The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks 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 Chinooks.
Temperament of the West Highland White Terrier Versus the Chinook
The West Highland White Terrier has a better temperament than the Chinook.
This is because the temperament score for the West Highland White Terrier is 89.7 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook 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 Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 68 West Highland White Terriers.
The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the West Highland White Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the West Highland White Terrier is 41 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chinook
Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
| Year | Chinook Popularity Rank | West Highland White Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 156 | 36 |
| 2014 | 171 | 38 |
| 2015 | 177 | 41 |
| 2016 | 175 | 41 |
| 2017 | 179 | 42 |
| 2018 | 190 | 42 |
| 2019 | 184 | 44 |
| 2020 | 186 | 44 |
Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of West Highland White Terrier
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the West Highland White Terrier is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Chinook.
3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 3 tests are recommended for the West Highland White Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in West Highland White Terriers.
Chinook Health Problems
Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chinooks for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.
West Highland White Terrier Health Problems
West Highland White Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing West Highland White Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a West Highland White Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your West Highland White Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen West Highland White Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for West Highland White Terriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and West Highland White Terriers
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chinook Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the West Highland White Terrier Breed is Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems.
This is because the West Highland White Terrier ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 102 West Highland White Terriers, 2 of them had Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in West Highland White Terriers, and how common these diseases are in West Highland White Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in West Highland White Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier:
| Disease | Chinook Rank | West Highland White Terrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 5 out of 145 dog breeds | 52 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 63 out of 198 dog breeds | 105 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 82 out of 182 dog breeds | 24 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems | Not Common | 1 out of 2 dog breeds |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 12 out of 40 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier
Chinooks do not like to be left alone.
West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Chinooks shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
Chinooks 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 Chinook or the West Highland White Terrier
Chinooks 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 Chinook or the West Highland White Terrier?
Chinooks require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?
Chinooks 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 Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.
West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. West Highland White Terrier
Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
West Highland White Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chinooks 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 Chinook or the West Highland White Terrier?
Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.
West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
Chinooks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and West Highland White Terriers?
Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
Chinooks are very easy to train.
West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.
Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?
Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.
West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinook or the West Highland White Terrier?
Chinooks 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 Chinook
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook 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 Chinook:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Chinook and how the West Highland White Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinook and of the West Highland White Terrier to other breeds:
Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chinook versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Chinook versus Dogue de Bordeaux Chinook versus Shih Tzu Chinook versus Scottish Terrier Chinook versus Pomsky Chinook versus Kerry Blue Terrier Chinook versus American Staffordshire Terrier Chinook versus Whippet Chinook versus Black and Tan Coonhound Chinook versus American Bulldog Chinook versus Cavachon Chinook versus Harrier Chinook versus American Eskimo Dog Chinook versus Sloughi Chinook versus Sussex Spaniel Chinook versus Dogue de Bordeaux Chinook versus Westiepoo Chinook versus German Longhaired Pointer Chinook versus Boykin Spaniel Chinook versus Pyrenean Shepherd Chinook versus Cavachon Chinook versus Cavapoo Chinook versus Icelandic Sheepdog Chinook versus Scottish Terrier Chinook versus Shetland Sheepdog
West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
West Highland White Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog West Highland White Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Whippet West Highland White Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog West Highland White Terrier versus Miniature Poodle West Highland White Terrier versus Whoodle West Highland White Terrier versus Boxer West Highland White Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog West Highland White Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound West Highland White Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer West Highland White Terrier versus Mastiff West Highland White Terrier versus Saint Bernard West Highland White Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound West Highland White Terrier versus Skye Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Akita Chow West Highland White Terrier versus Saluki West Highland White Terrier versus Akbash West Highland White Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff West Highland White Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Boston Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Bearded Collie West Highland White Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier
Conclusion: Chinook 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 Chinook and the West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.