Scottish Terrier

Breed Rating

Breed Attribute

Breed Details

User Comments

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Scottish Terrier originated in Scotland and was bred to hunt smaller animals such as rodents, foxes and badgers on farmland. Typically on a hunt this breed would chase after their prey and follow it into their den, from there the owner would pull the dog out by the tail with the prey in the dogs mouth! Although they have a sweet appearance, the Scottie dog is a vicious little hunter that is excellent at their job.

These dogs were first recognized in the late 1800's and were originally named Aberdeen Terriers as this is the name of the city in Scotland where they were first bred. They are a courageous, animated little dog that can have a very moody temperament. They have a willful attitude but possess an affectionate and caring demeanor. This little dog is not used for their hunting abilities today, but more so a companion to people.

The Scottish Terrier is a stout little dog that is athletic and muscular giving them weight to back up their strength when on a hunt. They have short legs and a long tail that is thick purely for the purpose of being able to lift the dog by it! The Scottie's ears are medium sized while pricked upward and they have a long powerful muzzle used to crush their prey.

Color

The Scottish Terrier comes in a variety of coat colours such as brindle, black, white and dark grey. Most commonly seen is the black but all 4 colours are accepted for this breed.

Coat

This breed has a very thick coat that is double layered. Their outer coat is a harsh, rough, dense texture that protects them from the cold while the undercoat is a warm, plush texture to keep their body heat in. This breed has a unique haircut where their underbelly and leg fur are kept long all the way around their body to resemble a skirt!

Personality

The Scottish Terrier has a very devoted loving character that develops a strong bond with their masters. These dogs will make great family pets because they interact well with older children and will only show affectionate regard with the family members. These dogs are known to have emotional moods, one moment they will be happy and the next moment they might be grumpy! Despite their moody behavior the Scottie is an animated character that will be a great dog to own. This breed will be better with an owner that has experience raising or training dogs because they can be stubborn and will test their master to see how far they can go. House rules will need to be implemented immediately so they understand what is OK and what is not OK to do in the house. Training will need to be done in a gentle manner but with a firm hand otherwise they will become quite depressed!

Care

The Scottish Terrier will need a moderate amount of grooming as their coat can get tangled if this is not done. Brushing one to two times per week and bathing about once every two months will be perfect for this dog. They shed a small amount of fur and will be relatively easy to maintain. They are prone to skin allergies, difficult labor, jaw ailments, cancer, Scottie Cramp and luxating patella's. Bladder cancer and infections may also be genetic in this breed, so when choosing a puppy, the potential owner should check the health background of the pups parents before making any decisions.

Training

This breed needs an owner who has experience in training because these dogs have a stubborn streak and a 'my way or the highway' attitude at times. Positive gentle methods are needed or else they can become withdrawn from the training lesson. Sessions should be short and made to be fun as this encourages them to want to learn. The Scottie already has the mind set to please their owners, but this can be overcome by their moods.

Activity

The Scottish Terrier will need regular long walks or trips to an off-leash dog park to run around freely. They play during the day and will use up the majority of their energy so will not need an excessive amount of exercise after their owner comes home. This breed will do well in an apartment as long as they get their exercise. A backyard is not needed but would be a bonus so they could run around in an outdoor environment at home.