Scottish Terrier

The Scottish Terrier is a small, stout-legged breed with plenty of confidence and personality to compensate. It was first bred in the Scottish Highlands, sometime around the 1400s, to hunt for vermin and small game such as badgers. Scotties developed strong tails so that their owners could pull them out of the tunnels that they burrowed.

The word terrier comes from a Latin word that roughly translates to “earth dog,” perhaps in reference to their practice of hunting with their noses to the ground. The Scottish Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. It wasn’t until the 1930s that the dog’s popularity in the United States began to skyrocket after several notable celebrities, as well as the president, all became loyal Scotty owners.

The Scottish Terrier has a distinctive appearance, with its well-defined eyebrows and beard, which some may say make it appear old and wise. The dog’s coat combines two different layers: a coarse, wiry outer layer and a dense, soft underlayer. It comes in a mix of a few different colors, including all black, a pale yellow or almost white color called wheaten, and a striped or irregular pattern called brindle. While terrier-type dogs existed in Scotland as early as the 15th century, the Scottish Terrier as a distinct breed was not clearly defined until the 19th century.

3 Pros and Cons of owning a Scottish Terrier

Scottish Terrier Size and Weight

The Scottish Terrier is a miniature but sturdy breed with short legs and a low frame. Males and females are approximately the same size.

Scottish Terrier Common Health Issues

The Scottish Terrier is a fairly healthy dog with an average lifespan of around 12 years. This breed is most prone to cancer, cataracts, glaucoma, craniomandibular osteopathy (a genetic condition causing excessive bone growth in the lower jaw), and a unique condition called Scotty cramp (which can cause spasms throughout the dog’s body, sometimes preventing it from walking). On the first visit to the vet, it is also recommended to have separate tests for Von Willebrand’s disease (a bleeding disorder caused by low clotting proteins) and patella (kneecap) issues.

Scottish Terrier Temperament

The Scottish Terrier has a strong, independent, and indelible personality that some have described as almost human-like. Its confident and tenacious demeanor seems to belie its miniature size. This makes them surprisingly good watchdogs. When a stranger approaches the home, it may try to bark and alert its owner. But unless properly trained from an early age, they can be a little distrustful of and aggressive toward strangers. Their relationship with other dogs can be contentious as well, and sometimes their hunting instinct will take over and cause them to chase smaller animals. That is why it’s crucial to socialize it as a puppy to avoid these behaviors. Fortunately, the Scottish Terrier doesn’t require too much space, so they are able to live in both apartments and houses without any problems.

How to Take Care of the Scottish Terrier

The Scottish Terrier is a better choice for experienced dog owners than first-time owners (particularly due to difficulties with training), but anyone who’s willing to put in the time and effort can end up loving this breed. If you decide that this breed is right for you, then you should try to find a high-quality breeder in your area that adheres to the breed standards and only breeds the best dogs. Another good option is a rescue or adoption group that takes in this breed. Rescue groups care quite a bit about the health of their dogs. Once you bring your dog home, it will need regular, semi-frequent physical examinations at the vet to check for any abnormalities and problems. If you have any other concerns about the dog’s routine, then you should consult with the vet.

The Best Dog Food for Scottish Terriers

The Scottish Terrier should thrive on about a cup of dog food per day, depending on its size, age, and activity level. The American Kennel Club recommends a diet consisting of about 25% protein with a bit of canned food added in. If it’s fed the right diet, then the dog’s coat should be smooth and healthy with no signs of flaking. To prevent some of the most prevalent health issues in Scottish Terriers, a well-rounded diet is essential.

Maintenance and Grooming

The Scottish Terrier needs to be brushed with a simple pin brush and comb around two to three times per week to prevent tangling and matting. Wiry-coated breeds like the Scottish Terrier should also be hand stripped once a month or so. Hand stripping is a method of removing dead hairs from the top layer by hand. This will keep the consistency of the entire coat intact.

Otherwise, if the coat is merely clipped, then it will lose some of the harsher outer layers as the softer lower layer will become dominant. If you are having trouble hand-stripping the fur yourself, then you might want to find a professional who will do it, but you should be aware that not all groomers will be familiar with this method. Besides attending to its grooming needs, you should brush the dog’s teeth, preferably every day, using a soft-bristle brush and canine toothpaste. You should also perform regular ear checks and give occasional nail trimmings whenever the need arises.

Training

The Scottish Terrier has an independent and stubborn streak that has earned this dog an unfair reputation as difficult to train. But in fact, this breed is very alert, inquisitive, and responsive to human commands. The main problem is that the Scottish Terrier has a tendency to become bored very quickly. It does not respond well to repetitive, mind-numbing tasks. Instead, it likes to exercise its mind and creativity. This means owners should limit training sessions to 15 minutes each time and try to constantly change the routine to prevent boredom. Scottish Terriers are very attentive to changes in the human voice and respond best to positive reinforcement methods. If you are struggling a bit to train this breed, then you might want to enlist the help of a professional trainer.

Exercise

The Scottish Terrier needs a moderate amount of exercise, or around 30 minutes, every single day. Fortunately, this dog does not require a lot of space. While a yard or park is always welcome to stretch its legs, the Scottish Terrier will enjoy playing with balls and toys around the home. It should also be taken on short walks or jogs while on a leash, at least for a little bit each day.

Puppies

It is always recommended to purchase puppies from high-quality breeders or rescue organizations that really care about the health of their dogs. Puppies should never be purchased from low-quality breeders and puppy mills, which are more likely to overlook health problems. You should also be prepared for the puppy’s training. Within the first few months of its life, the Scottish Terrier needs proper socialization to overcome its natural tendency to distrust strangers. Training sessions, dog parks, and gatherings with families and friends are all excellent places to start.

Scottish Terriers and Children

The Scottish Terrier is an excellent family dog that has a natural affinity for children. The only problem is that, because of its small size, the Scottish Terrier might not tolerate the noise and/or antics of smaller children. It may do best with older or more responsible children.

Similar Breeds

The terrier group contains many dogs with similar appearances and personalities to the Scottish Terrier. Here are just a few examples of them:

• Australian Terrier: One of the smallest of all terriers, this dog has a curious, confident, and spirited personality. The coarse, wiry hair, especially around the face, is similar to that of the Scottish Terrier.
• Airedale Terrier: As the largest of all terriers, the Airedale has been given the nickname “The King of the Terriers.” Originating from the Airedale Valley in northern England, this breed displays all of the most recognizable traits of a traditional terrier, including serene self-confidence and bravery.
• American Staffordshire Terrier: The American Staffordshire is an athletic, short-haired, bull-like variant of the typical terrier breed. Despite its different appearance, this breed still exhibits a high intelligence, as well as a confident, loyal, and good-natured personality that has inspired many to adopt them. A mix of white, black, and tan markings is the most common, although more than 80% white is discouraged by breeders.

Famous Owners

The Scottish Terrier is a very famous breed that reached the heights of its popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Franklin Roosevelt, Queen Victoria, Humphrey Bogart, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Rudyard Kipling, Bette Davis, and Lech Kaczyński (a former president of Poland) have all been the proud owners of a Scottish Terrier at some point. Roosevelt’s dog, Fala, was even immortalized with a statue at the former president’s memorial in Washington, DC. This dog also had a role in the 1955 animated film “Lady and the Tramp.”