Scottish Terrier Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Scottish Terrier?

Although it is one of the oldest dogs, the Scottish Terrier's history is somewhat complicated. Due to the high demand to hunt foxes, vermin, and otters, a few terrier breeds were developed in different regions of the Scottish Highlands.

The Old Scottish Terrier dog breed(now extinct), is the foundation for all terrier breeds. Later in the 17th Century, terriers were sent to France and are believed to be the basis of the modern Scottish Terrier we have today.

By the 1800s, Highland Terriers, Skye Terriers, and Cairn Terriers were all considered Scotch Terriers. The Aberdeen Terrier was also a strain. This made it challenging to solidify which would be the breed standard and take the name of being the official Scottish Terrier.

The first Scottish Terrier Club was established in 1882 before being introduced to the United States in 1883. They became popular in the States as President Franklin Roosevelt's dog was a Scottish Terrier. President Dwight D. Eisenhower also had two Scottish Terriers.

At the end of the 1900s, the terriers in Scotland were finally separated into different groups, adding the West Highland White Terrier to the list alongside the Scottish Terrier, the Skye Terrier and the Cairn Terrier.

Who are Scottish Terrier dogs best for?

Scottish Terriers are very adaptable to all lifestyles. Whether you live in an apartment or a larger home with a big backyard, these dogs are perfect.

Scotch Terriers are independent dogs who don't need to be attached to their parents at all times. This makes them great for those who have busy lifestyles.

If you're an active person, Scottish Terriers may not be the right breed for you as they aren't athletic dogs and are better suited to be your watchdog than your adventure partner.

They get along well with children but won't tolerate small children aggressively prodding them. So it's best to have them in a home where the children are much older.

As they have been working dogs throughout their history, Scottish Terriers will thrive in environments where they are given tasks such as on a farm or through dog sports.

If you live in a home with a backyard, it would be best to have a fenced-in backyard as they will want to chase small animals like squirrels because of their hunting instincts.

How much grooming does a Scottish Terrier need?

A Scotch Terrier can easily be identified because of their short legs and a wiry outer coat that is commonly black. However, this breed's coat can come in a variety of colours. They can be grey, brindle, or wheaten.

They have a double coat that has a hard, wiry top coat and a soft undercoat. They don't shed much but need to be brushed weekly. If your furry friend is used as a show dog, they should be brushed daily. It would help if you used a stiff brush, a wide-toothed comb, a hound glove, and scissors.

Brushing them regularly does prevent fleas as this is a big concern for this breed as they are prone to biting themselves bald.

Their grooming routine is quite the process, so if you cannot commit to it or are unsure how to go about it, it may be best to take them to a professional groomer.

They should be trimmed at least twice weekly to ensure their coat stays soft. This is if you prefer your pup to have a shorter coat. If you like your pup to have a longer coat, you only need to trim it a few times a year.

Always add brushing their teeth, cutting their nails, and checking their eyes, ears, and nose to their grooming routine.

Do Scottish Terrier bark much?

They may be small, but these dogs have a mean-sounding bark, enough to scare humans and other dogs away!

They are fierce watchdogs who will stop at nothing to protect their family members. If you do hear them bark, it is not in vain. They very much give off the energy of a big dog in a little dog's body and will not be afraid to let you know that you are not welcome.

They are extremely wary of strangers and will take a long time to get used to them. Not to mention that if any small animals, specifically squirrels, are close, they will bark non-stop.

In the case of the Scottish Terrier, barking may not be a bad thing. They are loyal to their home and their family, and knowing that they will not bark unnecessarily makes having them worthwhile.

This does, however, mean that their tendency to be less welcoming to strangers can lead to aggression, making it crucial that you socialise them during puppyhood to avoid unwanted behaviour.

Do Scottish Terrier bite?

Bred to hunt, your four-legged friend, the Scotch Terrier, will have tendencies to bite and nibble. Although they have a low bite force, don't mistake their size for not being willing to show you that they are a force to be reckoned with.

With this being said, proper training and early socialisation are crucial to avoiding unwanted behaviour as they age. Provide your little pup with chew toys to redirect this habit from people and the shoes they love to chew.

Keep them on a leash when going outside, as they will most likely want to hunt the small animals that are happily passing by.

What is the temperament & personality of a Scottish Terrier?

These dogs may be sassy, but they do make excellent house pets. They will adapt to the energy of your home and can be energetic, playful, quiet, and relaxed all in one day.

They are intelligent, loyal, and not afraid to show their dominance. They are not affectionate but should be kept inside as they love being around their family. They are also fun and loving and are great playmates to older children.

What is the weight & size of a Scottish Terrier?

The average weight of a male Scottish Terrier is 9 kg - 11 kg. Whereas the average weight of a female is 8 kg - 9 kg. They have an average size of 25 cm.

How much training does a Scottish Terrier need?

The Scottish terrier is intelligent, independent, and is known to be quite sassy. These personality traits alone will let you know that training them can be pretty challenging. Not necessarily because they won't want to listen to you but because they would much prefer to figure things out independently.

They respond well to positive reinforcement training and excel in techniques like agility training and dog sports.

As always, obedience training, early socialisation, and crate training should always be the first types of training any dog should receive.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Scottish Terrier?

A generally healthy breed can be predisposed to some health issues you should familiarise yourself with if you consider getting this breed.

A reputable breeder will always provide proof of testing for any health problems before taking your pup home. To avoid a late diagnosis, take your dog for regular checkups at the vet.

Issues to look out for include:

• Scottie Cramp - This condition is common to this breed and usually occurs when they are stressed or overstimulated.

• Patella Luxation - This is when the kneecap is prone to dislocation, it is a common condition in small breeds.

• Von Willebrand's disease - This is inherited from its parents and is a condition where the blood is prone to clotting.

• Craniomandibular Osteopathy - This usually occurs in puppies with abnormally large skull bones.

What is the lifespan of a Scottish Terrier?

The average longevity range of Scottish Terriers is 11 - 13 years.

How much should you feed a Scottish Terrier?

They are small dogs and should not be fed much food. Food should always be measured according to your dog's weight, size, metabolism, and activity level.

An adult Scottish Terrier needs 1 to 1/5 cups of high-quality food daily.

A Scottie puppy will need more food at shorter intervals during their growth stage, whereas senior dogs will need less food than adult dogs.

What is the price of a Scottish Terrier in Australia?

As they are purebreds, you can expect to pay more than for other dog breeds when purchasing a Scottish Terrier. Be prepared to pay between $1000 - $5500.