Big enough to be a real dog, but small enough to go in the car or share a cozy chair, Westies enjoy the outdoors, rain or shine, but also fit nicely into a small apartment, so long as they get enough exercise.

Their disposition is sweet, loving and loyal, but not at all subservient.  They have "no small amount of self esteem" and it would never occur to them that you might be too busy to pay attention to them.

Westies are intelligent and learn very quickly, so long as you keep things interesting. They like to be challenged and if they get bored, they will amuse themselves. 

They won't normally start a fight, but won't back off if another dog wants to start one, no matter how large the aggressor.  They are a large dog in a small body.