 The West Highland White Terrier , commonly known as the Westie or Westy , is a Scottish breed of dog with a distinctive white coat . The modern breed is descended from a number of breeding programs of white terriers in Scotland prior to the 20th century . Edward Donald Malcolm , 16th Laird of Poltalloch , is credited with the creation of the modern breed from his Poltalloch Terrier , but did not want to be known as such . 
