Scottish Terrier

Thinking about purchasing an Scottish Terrier? Then read our breed profile including a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming, activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the Scottish Terrier breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good Scottish Terrier owner;

properly feed your new dog,
house them comfortably
train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the Scottish Terrier and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an Scottish Terrier Breeder:

When were your Scottish Terriers born? When will they be allowed to leave?
Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check up with your veterinarian?
What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with other pets? in the home?
Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?
Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?
What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive? skittish?
If you become unable to care for your new Scottish Terrier, will the breeder help you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new Scottish Terrier and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

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Scottish Terrier Profile

Known as the "Scottie", the Scottish Terrier has a compact, strong body; short legs, pricked ears and naturally erect tail. Their face should wear a keen, sharp and active expression. President Roosevelt had a Scottie named Fala in the White House. They tend to be a one or two person dog and do their best as pampered pets. While a little stubborn, they still make loyal pets if given the chance to survey the scene before committing themselves. Scottish Terriers are very good watchdogs, but need to be kept secured as they have a tendency to wander. They can be snappy and bossy if left untrained, but will be a loyal and faithful pet if trained well. Scotties can be brave and confident, but are often independent. They can also be quick tempered, and do better with older children. They must be properly introduced if they are to be around any other pets. Scottie Dogs closely resemble West Highland White Terriers, Skye Terriers and Dandie Dinmont Terriers, all of whom are cousins. They come in colors of black, wheaten or brindle, but most people remember them as black due to commercial Scotties and the Scottie owned by President Roosevelt. They have prick ears that are set high, very sturdy bodies, and long faces. The Scottish Terrier is a hardy, energetic breed.

Other Names: Aberdeen Terrier, Scottie (Dog)

Type: Terrier

Height: 10 - 11 inches.
Weight: 18 - 23 lbs.

Colors: Black, wheaten, brindle of any shade, grays or grizzled.
Coat: Sharp, dense and wiry with a short, dense, soft undercoat.

Temperament: Scottish Terriers are active and assertive. They are rather confident and independent, but can be loyal and faithful if trained properly. They love to play ball and to chase things, and will hunt down small animals or cats if given the chance. They are very terrier-like in nature, and love to dig and love to hunt vermin. Scottish Terriers can be sensitive as well. They have a high tolerance for pain, and can be aggressive with other dogs and hot tempered.
With Children: Yes, good with school aged children. Not good with younger children.
With Pets: Yes, but needs early socialization. If not socialized or trained, they will attack other animals.
Special Skills: Hunting dog for small prey and family pet.

Watch-dog: Very High. Scotties are very alert and aware of everything going on.
Guard-dog: Low.

Scottish Terrier Care and Exercise: Regular brushing, extra care during molting. Bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. Professionally trim the Scottish Terriers coat twice a year. They can obtain their exercise from a reasonably sized fenced-in yard. They should be exercised regularly, however, because they can become overweight if this is not done. Regular walks are good for this breed, and they thoroughly enjoy it as well.
Training: Firm handling at a young age is needed for Scotties as they will try to dominate the household. Training needs to be founded on mutual respect. They are somewhat sensitive, and should have firm but positive training.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience - Low. Problem Solving - Medium.

Activity: Very High. These dogs are very energetic, especially outside.
Special Needs: Grooming, socialization, training, and supervision with small children.
Living Environment: An apartment is adequate for Scotties if sufficient exercise is given. The owner of a Scottish Terrier should desire a breed who is particular about the company they keep. The best owner for this breed would be a firm, dominant, confident owner living in either the city, suburbs or country. This breed is very adaptable to most environments.

Scottish Terrier Health Issues: Sensitive to fleas, skin problems, craniomandibular osteopathy, elbow dysplasia, intervertebral disc protrusion, Scottie cramp, and von Willebrand's disease.

Life Span: 12 - 14 years.
Litter Size: 3 - 5 puppies.

Country of Origin: Scotland
Scottish Terrier History: Originally known as the Aberdeen Terrier after the Scottish city, they were originally bred with the purpose of dispelling vermin. The Scottish Terrier is the best known and possibly oldest of the Highland terriers. They are closely related to the Skye, Dandie Dinmont, and West Highland White Terriers. Some people think Westies are one in the same breed as the Scotties. Originally in the 1800s, all of those terriers were shown and classified under "Scotch Terriers". The breed was brought to America in the late 1800s and first shown at dog shows in the early 19th century. All of these were interbred until around 1800, when the Scottie was set apart from the rest and bred on its own. The first Scottish Terrier Club was formed in Scotland in 1892. Strangely, until 1859 there was no mention of the breed ever, and within that same year the Scottish Terrier was exhibited as a pure breed. The breed seems to have appeared out of thin air, but it is known that they came from the Blackmount region of Perthshire and the Moor of Rannoch. Once the breed was brought over to the American continent, it spread to Canada and became hugely popular there. In fact, the first Scottie brought to the U.S. was Canadian bred. Today the breed is fairly popular in the U.S. and the U.K. The Scottie's feisty temperament has been passed down in the generations as well, and has become a commonly-known trait in the breed.

First Registered by the AKC: 1885
AKC Group: Terrier Group
Class: Terrier
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 3), KC (GB), UKC

Scottish Terriers

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Thursday, July 17, 2008