Introducing Barkley from Sesame Street
Barkley is a lovable West Highland White Terrier who appeared as a character on Sesame Street starting in Season 8 in 1977. He was introduced when new human characters moved into the neighborhood. Barkley quickly became a favorite dog character on the show. He was owned by Linda and often seen with the human child characters.
Barkley had a friendly, cute personality and was known for performing tricks. He would chase balls, carry newspapers in his mouth, and do other doggy activities. Barkley added a playful energy to street scenes. His floppy ears and wagging tail warmed the hearts of children and adults alike.
For over a decade, Barkley brought joy to Sesame Street as a fun, furry friend. He epitomized the perfect children’s TV pup. Barkley cemented West Highland White Terriers as a breed suited for family life thanks to his gentle, endearing portrayal.
Barkley’s Breed – The West Highland White Terrier
Barkley on Sesame Street is a West Highland White Terrier, commonly known as a “Westie”. The West Highland White Terrier is a small breed of dog originating from Scotland. Westies were bred to hunt rodents and vermin in challenging terrain and conditions. Today, they are popular companion dogs known for their lively and cheerful temperament.
Westies have distinctive bright white fur coats, short legs, and pointed erect ears. They typically stand around 10-11 inches tall and weigh 15-20 pounds. Westies have a rugged, hardy build and thick double coats perfect for enduring cold weather. Their outer coat is coarse and wiry while the undercoat is soft and dense.
In terms of temperament, Westies are confident, smart, and full of energy. They are affectionate and loyal to their families but initially wary of strangers. Westies are stubborn and independent thinkers who like having a job to do. They require structured training and activity to prevent problem behaviors like excessive barking or digging. With proper socialization and handling, Westies make wonderful alert watchdogs and lively companions.
Why a Westie Was Chosen for Barkley
Barkley is a Westie, or West Highland White Terrier, due to the breed’s perfect suitability for a television show like Sesame Street. West Highland Terriers were originally bred as working dogs in the Scottish Highlands. As a result, they have outgoing, friendly personalities and are great with both adults and children.
The compact size of the Westie breed allows Barkley to easily interact on screen with both human characters and Muppet puppets. Westies typically stand between 9-12 inches tall and weigh 15-22 pounds. Their small stature makes staging and filming easier compared to larger dog breeds.
In addition, Westies are smart, energetic, and highly trainable. Barkley demonstrates his intelligence through his conversations with Big Bird and other characters. West Highland Terriers are quick learners and their energetic spirit shines through in Barkley’s active presence on the show.
Overall, the West Highland White Terrier was a perfect choice for the Sesame Street character of Barkley. The breed’s personality, interactive nature, size, and trainability make Westies ideally suited for a fun, educational television series like Sesame Street.
Barkley’s Popularity and Legacy
Barkley made frequent memorable and funny appearances on Sesame Street alongside Big Bird and other Muppets. Some of his standout moments included trying to join a bird choir, dressing up in silly costumes, and playing ball with Big Bird. Barkley quickly became a beloved character among Sesame Street viewers.
Despite being a minor character, Barkley gained a large fan following during his time on the show thanks to his endearing personality. Even decades after his last Sesame Street appearance, Barkley remains one of the most iconic Sesame Street animal characters. He represented the show’s whimsical nature and emphasis on imagination.
Barkley has been paid tribute several times since leaving Sesame Street. An ill-tempered Muppet dog namedWoof-Woof on the show’s spinoff The Furchester Hotel was designed as an homage to Barkley. Sesame Street also had a dog puppet named Benny in the 1990s that was likely inspired by Barkley. The original Barkley puppet makes occasional appearances at public events.
Westie Dog Breed Information
The West Highland White Terrier, commonly called a “Westie,” is a small, energetic breed with a luxurious white coat. Here’s an overview of the Westie’s physical traits and care needs:
Westies typically stand around 10-11 inches tall and weigh 15-20 pounds. They have a sturdy, compact body covered in a thick, white double coat that doesn’t shed much. The outer coat is hard and wiry, while the undercoat is soft and fluffy. Westies have expressive, button eyes and small triangular ears that stand erect. Their inquisitive faces combined with perky ears and tail give Westies an adorable appearance.
Despite their small size, Westies have big personalities and are alert, confident dogs. They can be independent but also enjoy being around their family. Westies are intelligent and respond well to training if started early. They have a strong prey drive and may chase small animals.
Westies require regular grooming every 4-6 weeks to hand strip or clip their coat. Without proper grooming, their coat can become matted or overgrown. Westies only need occasional bathing. Their facial hair also needs frequent trimming. Brushing 2-3 times a week helps remove loose hair.
Westies are energetic dogs that need 30-60 minutes of exercise daily. They enjoy brisk walks, running, playing fetch, or participating in dog sports. Westies also appreciate having space to run around safely off-leash. Mentally stimulating games and toys help prevent boredom.
With proper training, grooming, and activity, the Westie can be an affectionate and fun-loving family companion.
West Highland Terrier Temperament
The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie for short, is known for being a happy, friendly, and lively little dog. They have an outgoing personality and enjoy being around people. Westies are typically very playful, energetic, and curious. They love to play, explore, and investigate their surroundings.
Westies generally do very well with children. Their small size makes them a good fit for families with kids. They enjoy playing games like fetch and tug of war. However, supervision is still recommended when Westies are around very young or rambunctious children, as their small size means they could get injured if handled too roughly.
Westies are intelligent dogs that can be trained with positive reinforcement techniques. They respond best to training that is fun, consistent, and reward-based. Westies will enjoy learning tricks and commands through play, praise, and treats. While friendly, they can have a stubborn streak, so patience is required during training. Being consistent is key when house training a Westie puppy.
Some potential challenges with Westies include barking, digging, chasing small animals, and struggling with separation anxiety. However, with proper training, exercise, and mental stimulation these behaviors can be curbed or redirected in more positive ways.
Westie Health and Care
West Highland White Terriers are generally healthy dogs, but there are some health issues that are more common with the breed that owners should be aware of. Some of the most common health problems seen in Westies include:
Skin Problems – Westies can be prone to skin allergies and conditions like atopic dermatitis. Keeping their coat well-groomed and avoiding skin irritants can help prevent issues.
Joint Problems – Patellar luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease sometimes occur in Westies, causing lameness and pain. Maintaining a healthy weight and proper exercise can help avoid joint problems.
Heart Disease – Westies can sometimes suffer from congenital heart defects. Regular vet checkups to monitor heart health are important.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Ruptures – The CCL is one of the major stabilizing ligaments of the knee joint. Ruptures often require surgery and rehabilitation.
Lifespan – The typical lifespan for a healthy Westie is 12-16 years. Providing proper nutrition, exercise, vet care, and mental stimulation can help maximize their longevity.
Feeding – Westies should be fed a high-quality diet formulated for small breed dogs. Follow portion guidelines based on your dog’s age and activity level.
Vet Visits – Westies should have annual vet exams to screen for health issues. Vaccinations, heartworm prevention, dental cleanings, and medications should be administered as directed by your vet.
Grooming – Westies require regular brushing and trimming of their coats. Bathing once every few months is sufficient. Nails should be trimmed regularly.
Providing excellent preventative and routine health care is important for keeping your Westie happy and healthy! Be sure to discuss any specific care recommendations with your veterinarian.
Finding a West Highland Terrier
If you’ve decided the feisty and fun Westie is the right dog for you, the next step is finding one to make part of your family. You essentially have two options – purchasing a Westie puppy from a breeder or adopting an adult Westie through a rescue organization or shelter.
Going the breeder route allows you to get a purebred Westie puppy and know its full health and ancestry background. However, this comes at a higher cost – Westie puppy prices typically range from $1,000 to $2,000. The breeder should provide health certifications for both the puppy’s parents to prove they’ve been screened for issues like hip dysplasia. You’ll want to carefully vet any breeder on reputation, practices, facility condition and more.
Adopting an adult Westie through a rescue group or shelter is often more affordable, with adoption fees ranging from $50 to $500. The tradeoff is you likely won’t know as much verified history about the dog’s lineage and upbringing. But adult Westies from rescues can still make wonderful pets with the proper love and training. Take time to meet with any potential adoptee multiple times to evaluate temperament and energy levels.
No matter where you get your Westie, be sure to evaluate health, behavior and personality when selecting your new furry friend. Opt for energetic but not hyperactive, friendly but not aggressive. Look for signs of good conditioning like bright eyes, healthy coat and proper weight. And pick a pup or dog that seems to bond with and appeal to you!
Owning a West Highland Terrier
Westies are energetic and lively dogs that need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. A bored Westie can become destructive and noisy, so they do best in active homes. West Highland Terriers have high prey drives and may chase small pets, so supervision is required.
While Westies are adaptable to different home environments, they thrive best in a house with a securely fenced yard where they can play and explore. Their moderate exercise needs can be met with two 30-60 minute walks per day. Westies also enjoy brisk games of fetch or frisbee.
Potential challenges with Westies include their tendency to bark, dig, and chase. They can be strong-willed and difficult to train. Westies need consistent, positive reinforcement training from a young age to learn good manners. Their white coats also require regular brushing and grooming to prevent discoloration.
With proper training, exercise, and attention, the confident and plucky Westie can make a fun-loving family companion in an active home.
Famous West Highland Terriers
The West Highland White Terrier breed has become a popular dog in pop culture due to its charming appearance and bright white coat. Famous Westies in TV, movies, and owned by celebrities include:
TV and Movie Westies
Snowy – Tintin’s clever and loyal fox terrier companion in the classic comic books, TV shows, and movies
Jock – the pet Westie of the Darling family in Walt Disney’s Peter Pan
Mr. Atlas – Carrie’s scene-stealing senior dog in Sex and the City
Celebrity Westie Owners
Marilyn Monroe – the iconic actress owned a Westie named Mafia that was a gift from Frank Sinatra
Kelly Osbourne – the TV personality and daughter of Ozzy often poses on Instagram with her beloved Westie named Sid
Ed Sheeran – the famous British singer songwriter has a Westie named Dorito featured in his social media posts
The breed has appeared in or been owned by various stars and pop culture icons, cementing its place as a beloved dog breed in entertainment and celebrity circles.
