The color of the Scottish Terrier varies from dark gray to jet black. Occasionally, you will see these terriers in a wheat color or brindle, but this is rare.
Long
Toy/Small
Lite Shed
10-11 inches (25-28 cm)
19-23 pounds (8 1/2-10 1/2kg)
10-11 inches (25-28 cm)
19-23 pounds (8 1/2-10 1/2kg)
The Scottish Terrier is a good indoor dog that also enjoys playing outdoors. They can survive very well in a small apartment. They prefer cooler temperatures but can adapt almost anywhere. This terrier has a weather resistant outer coat that will give him protect for diverse weather conditions.
Description
The Scottish Terrier, also known as the Aberdeen Terrier, is a strong and sturdy breed of little dog that is often called just the Scottie. He has a distinctive and unique shape and profile, which the dog is known for. He is one of five different breeds of terrier that came from Scotland, with the other four being Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont and West Highland Whiter Terriers. George the fourth, the Earl of Dumbarton gave them the nickname, little diehard" in the 19th century because of their bravery and perseverance.
The Scottish Terrier is a small and resilient dog with short legs that can move exceptionally fast. They have a muscular neck and body, short sturdy legs, which all contributes to their great strength and agility. They are great diggers with their large paws. Their small eyes are dark brown or black and almond shaped. A large nose, very alert erect ears and large teeth help make up the rest of the face.
The Scottish Terrier loves to dig, and there is no fence they can't dig their way out of if they set their mind to it. They will need you to constantly discipline them for this, being firm but loving. Because of their breeding, they will chase other small animals if given the chance, so they should always be on the leash.
If you are planning on purchasing a Scottish Terrier from a breeder or pet store, it is a good idea to make sure the dog or puppy has been tested for von Willibrands disease, a genetic jaw problem that strikes many of these little animals of this breed.
The Scottish Terrier is such a popular dog that they have been owned by 2 different presidents of the United States. Franklin D. Roosevelt owned 2 different Scottish Terriers and George Bush also owned one. There is also a Monopoly token that was made after the Scottish Terrier and is everyone's favorite piece. The Scottish Terrier was the famous dog 'Jock' in the Disney movie, Lady and the Tramp. In 2007, Carnegie Mellon University named the Scottish Terrier their official mascot.
The coat of the Scottish Terrier consists of a long, stiff and wiry outer coat that is weather resistant and a softer under coat. The Scottish Terrier usually has longer hair on the face, giving them the appearance of having a beard. The head, ears, tail and back are usually trimmed close with the rest of the body having a shaggy look.
History
The Scottish Terrier originated in Scotland around the 1800s. Prior to that, there were no types of terriers. Rather, they were put in groups of either long legged or short-legged. Each region bred for a different type, which is how the five different terriers came to be. In 1917, the Kennel Club of Great Britain banned interbreeding so there were no longer combination breeds.
The Scottish Terrier was bred to be a working farm dog that hunted foxes, badgers. Wildcats and other varmints. They were considered similar to a farmer's helper being expected to take care of the wild animals without being told by the farmer. During this process, they became very territorial towards "their" farmer and home and because of their intelligence, they excelled at this job.
They were in the show ring for the first time in 1860 along with other dogs that were classified as Scottish Terriers, but where also known by other names. At that time, any terriers that were from Scotland were automatically classified as Scottish Terriers. In 1883, they attempted to make the Scottish Terrier a breed of its own. They first came to America in the 1880s but did not become popular until the years between World War I and World War II. In 1885, the first Scottish Terrier was registered in the American Kennel Club. The Scottish Terrier Club of America was started in 1900.
There was always dispute about what the actual breed should look and behave like. Finally, in 1930, 4 dogs of this breed made such an impact in the show ring that many British families and breeders wanted them. After this, it was agreed on that this is what the breed would consist of and was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1930. Today they are well sought after dogs for household pets and the show ring.
Temperament
The Scottish Terrier is an alert and very lovable dog with enough charm to make everyone love them. As puppies, they are very playful and friendly. They are a very moody dog, however, that can be loving and playful one moment and crabby and snappy the next. They can also be very stubborn dogs that need a firm voice and hand from a young age or they will try to run the entire household as an adult. The Scottish Terrier is very sensitive to being corrected whether it's in training or just being disciplined. He definitely knows the difference between criticism and praise. This dog has a very gutsy attitude, and will try to challenge you if given the chance. He will try to challenge those that he feels are not "the boss" of the family.
They are very loyal to their family and make excellent watchdogs. The Scottish Terriers do have a tendency to bond more with just one or two members of the family and are more loyal to them. They are a very sensitive dog very in tune with their master's moods. If their master is having a bad day, this sweet little dog will immediately pick up on that and act accordingly. They have very little interest in making friends with people that are not family members. In fact, they are quite reserved with strangers, preferring to not be bothered by them. a very playful dog , the Scottish Terrier loves to play ball, go for walks and just romp around indoors or outdoors. They are barkers and love to hear the sound of their voice.
They are not a real good dog with small children, although they get along good with older children. They are sporty, playful dogs that have an independent streak and will respond better if led to believe that it's their idea to do something you want them to do. If you didn't see their small bodies, you would think of them as a big dog by their versatility and demure. As with most small dogs, they are occasionally called "ankle biters", but they still make wonderful household pets that can be taken anywhere you go.
Health Problems
Scottish Terriers are at risk of developing a few types of cancer:
Bladder cancer
Intestinal Cancer
Malignant Melanoma Cancer of the skin, eyes or bowels
Gastric Carcinoma Cancer of the stomach or intestines
The Scottish Terrier has a long shaggy coat that requires regular brushing to prevent knots from forming and to remove dead hair. Grooming of the hair should be done every 6-8 weeks to maintain their characteristic look and shape. They will need haircuts or trimming at least twice a year. These dogs can be clippered or hand stripped depending on if they are a dog used for show or family pet. Hand stripping is a method of grooming where the hair is pulled out instead of cut. As it grows back, their outer coat will have a very wiry texture and feel to it. This method of grooming is necessary when the Scottish Terrier is to be shown in the show ring.
If you do not show your Scottish Terrier, it is better to just clip him. Not only is this easier as you can do it yourself, but it is also less expensive. When the dog is clipped, his hair has a soft velvety touch when the long wiry stiff ends are cut off. You will be clipping his body, giving extra attention to his feet, legs and ears.
Your Scottish Terrier can be given a bath when needed. Some breeders recommend dry shampoo when bathing them while others use a gentle dog shampoo and conditioner. After his bath you can blow dry his hair or let him outdoors if the weather is nice. Air-drying is much better for their skin and hair than blow-drying. I hope that your Scottie has been getting this kind of attention since he was a puppy so he's used to it and loves the bonding time.
When you first get a Scottie puppy, it is important to touch his feet and ears often to let them realize that this something that can get used to and not fear. Generally, Scotties don't like having their feet touched, but if they are accustomed to having it done, they will take to it much better. The nails need to be clipped regularly and cleaned. It is very important to keep the eyes and ears clean and dry. If you are uncertain as to how to properly groom and care for your Scottish Terrier's hygiene, there are sites online that give directions or you can take him to a professional groomer.
Exercise
The Scottish Terrier needs exercise just like every dog but due to their small size, much of their exercise and romping around takes place indoors. There are many indoor activities this small dog enjoys such as playing catch and hide and seek. They love going for walks outdoors. They enjoy cooler temperatures so enjoy spending time outside unless it's hot. They do need to be kept on a leash at all times so they don't chase animals. This is extremely important if you live in the city where they can run out in the street and get hit by a car. Because of their great digging ability, if they are kept in a fenced yard, they should be watched carefully so they don't get out.
Training
Training the Scottish Terrier is something that needs to be started at a young age to enforce in them what is expected of them. Because they were originally bred to do work independent of their family, they are sometimes stubborn about learning what you want them to do-especially; if it's not something they want to do.
The dog may be stubborn, but he still enjoys playing and needs proper motivation to want to learn. You may want to use treats or toys or simply praise. Find whatever works best and stick with it. The very first training your Scottish Terrier will receive is when you housebreak him. You will determine at that point, how eager and willing he is to learn new things. Always, praise a job well done and avoid negative enforcement, as they will get an attitude. They can be very stubborn when they want to be and need to think it's their idea.
Basic Obedience training is something that you can teach them yourself if you have the time, or you can enroll them in a class. With the Scottish Terrier, consistency is very important. Walking them on a leash is a lesson that they should begin at a very young age as well. Because they love to chase little animals and are a great escape artist, they must never be off the leash when outdoors.
The Scottish Terrier does very well in the show ring. If this is something that interests you, check with local groups in your area or search online for where competitions are held and what the procedure is.
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Ratings and Attributes
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