The “Pittenweem Terrier” was a name once given long ago to a line of white Scottish Terriers developed by Dr. America Edwin Flaxman of Fife. It’s not that he wanted white Scottish Terriers. Flaxman greatly valued one particular Scottie bitch, but no matter what sire she was bred to, she produced exclusively white puppies. After more than twenty white pups had been produced, Flaxman concluded that the color was an ancient trait in the breed that was attempting to force its way back out.
That’s not the whole story, though. Around the same time, Edward Donald Malcolm, the 16th Lord of Poltalloch, developed a line of pure white Cairn Terriers, white so that he would never again accidentally shoot a beloved dog after mistaking it for a fox. Malcolm’s Terrier’s became known as Poltalloch Terriers.
But that’s not the whole story, either.
Another contemporary was George Campbell, the 8th Duke of Argyll, and he was breeding a solid white strain of Scottish Terriers known as Roseneath Terriers. Why white? He liked the color.
Where it gets interesting is in the speculation that Malcolm bred his Poltalloch Terriers with Campbell’s Roseneath Terriers as well as (or instead of) Flaxman’s Pittenweem Terriers. They all knew each other, but whether they were casual acquaintances or deeper friends is unknown. The more salient point is that enough fanciers who followed the three breeders went on to cross the different lines of the three men on their own. By the early 1900’s, some fanciers wanted to form a Poltalloch Terrier Club, but Malcolm nixed the idea and asked that the dogs be given a different name.
In 1904, a breed club was formed for the Roseneath Terrier, too, but it fell apart. After it reorganized, its second chairperson was (wait for it) Edward Donald Malcolm – Mr. Poltalloch Terrier, himself.
By 1908, breed fanciers had settled on one name that accurately described all three founding lines in terms of location and type. Today, we know that breed as the West Highland White Terrier.
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Knew part of the story regarding Westies, but loved learning this. They are a wonderful breed, had my lovely Bonnie girl for 17 years.
We agree, Linda, Westies are among the best breeds ever! Thank you for leaving a lovely comment.
My very first dog was a Westie . Dennis was born in 1971! Guess it was the right breed because since then I’ve always had at least one Westie in my life. Right now I have 12 year old Daniel Patrick and his son 7 year old Brian. I’ve also had Scotties for ” only” 26 years. Currently I have 10 year old Kelly and 10 month old Lorna. We do conformation, agility , obedience, rally, earthdog, barnhunt and lure coursing. These little guys can do it all. I love them both. I’ve never wanted any other breed of dogs.