Scotties are fast, alert, sporty and playful dogs. They can be fearless and feisty, and this earned them the nickname “Die Hard.”
They are gentle and loving, and make excellent watchdogs. They are also smart dogs and need socialization and obedience training. They are sensitive to harsh discipline, so calm but consistent instruction is necessary.
In 1883, the first Scotties were imported into the United States. The first Sottish terrier born in America was Dake, a brindle Scottie born in 1884 in Indiana. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885. Scotties love to chase smaller animals. By:
Small dogs without consistent training and leadership can take over the home believing they are in charge, and for this reason they may not be suitable for homes with very young children (although this varies with each individual dog). Scotties love being around their family members, but other animals? Not so much. They usually scrap with other dogs, don’t care for cats and will chase smaller animals.
Many dogs competing in later shows were other types of terriers, and this angered Scottish fanciers so much they wrote letters of protest that were published in 1877. The ensuing controversy became so heated that the Live Stock Journal refused to print any more letters; they would only print descriptions of the breed standard submitted to them. The arguing subsided, and in 1880, J. B. Morrison wrote the breed standard.
This breed has an easily distinguishable long coat that surprisingly doesn’t shed too much
Scottish terriers are one of the easiest breeds to recognize thanks to their short and stumpy physique and gorgeous flowing coats. But even though their coats look like they’d cover your couch and home with thick black fur, Scotties don’t actually shed that much.
So, if you don’t want to have to vacuum your home every other day or brush down all your clothes before you go out, a Scottish terrier is a good bet.
Does this mean that Scottish terriers are hypoallergenic?
Indeed it does! Because they don’t shed too much and they barely drool, Scotties are excellent for people with dog allergies. It may feel counter-intuitive but it’s true.
Of course, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, so you should still meet the dog first before you get it in your home, but Scotties are one of the safest breeds for people with dog allergies.
This doesn’t mean that Scottish terriers don’t need some grooming, however. Even though they don’t shed too much, their coats still need to be brushed every other day to keep them from matting and to prevent skin infections.
Another good tip is to get your Scottie to a groomer once every several months for a routine clipping and trimming – this will prevent your dog’s coat from growing too long and becoming unmanageable. Trimming the fur around your Scottie’s ears and face, as well as between his fingers is also a good idea.
All this isn’t too much of an issue for most people, however, especially since most Scotties love to be brushed and trimmed. The fact that they don’t shed too much and are hypoallergenic more than makes up for their occasional grooming needs.
The Scottish Terrier is content with daily walks and not built for long-distance jogging, but he will pursue squirrels and chipmunks with rollicking enthusiasm.
Friendly and playful as a puppy, the Scottie matures into a bold, jaunty, yet steady and dignified adult, with greater independence than most terriers. He is staunchly self-reliant and fearless – also a bit dour and crusty at times.
About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.
Copyright © 2000-2022 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author.
The AKC Standard says, “The Scottish Terriers bold, confident, dignified aspect exemplifies power in a small package… a determined and thoughtful dog whose heads up, tails up attitude in the ring should convey both fire and control.”
Scottish Terrier Pros And Cons | Should You REALLY Get A SCOTTISH TERRIER?
The Scottish Terrier, also known as Scottie and Aberdeen Terrier, is a rugged, confident, human-loving dog breed. They have a vivid personality that makes them loyal and sweet companions. Scotties are also known as “the Diehard” due to their persistence. This dog breed is one of the five breeds of Scottish terriers grouped under “Skye Terrier” in the 1800s.Â
A Scottie has a medium wiry outercoat and a softer and denser undercoat. They require regular grooming sessions and are one of the best watchdogs.Â
Like other dog breeds, Scotties are prone to several health issues. But they are resilient dogs with high energy levels and affection for people.
The Scottish Terrier is a small breed with a distinctive body shape and size. Their personality is feisty, energetic, and vigilant.Â
The average Scottish Terrier size is about 10 inches in height. The male Scottie weighs around 19 to 22 pounds, while the female is 18 to 21 pounds. The average Scottish Terriers lifespan is 12 years.
The Scottish Terrier is a short-legged but strong dog breed with unique characteristics of the beard, lower body, and legs. The eyebrows enhance their sharp facial expressions.
Their coats can be wheaten yellow, black, or brindle. The overcoat usually has some white or silver hair. Scotties have bright eyes, erect ears, and a tail that gives the alert whenever the dog senses danger.
The Scottish Terrier temperament can be defined as good for people but aggressive toward other dogs and animals. They are moderately open to strangers and are mostly friendly and playful with everyone.
Scotties have a high adaptability level, so you can easily train them when they are small. They learn quickly and are very energetic. They also have a protective nature.
Scottish Terriers need regular grooming due to their dual coats. Many dog owners prefer to hand strip Scotties coats when they are small puppies. This way, they get used to this method as they grow older.
Its better to groom your dog weekly, but it can be monthly once the coat has started.
If you cant groom your pet on your own, you can search for a professional groomer who hand strips. If you cant find anyone, you can clipper the coat. Clipping removes the rough, hard texture of the outercoat, and the undercoat will be more prominent.
Clipped coats need to be taken care of every six to eight weeks. Brush your Scotties coat weekly to untangle the hair and keep their skin healthy. You can also bathe your dog periodically with a moisturizing soap or shampoo.
Scottish Terriers like to have a good playtime and a walk. They need to take out their energy in spurts, such as by chasing a ball and then bringing it back.Â
They are quite persistent, and youll see their stubbornness when playing tug with a toy. They wont let the toy go, and youll be the one giving up.
While Scottish Terriers are playful and energetic, they can easily get bored with repetitive exercise and long training sessions. They perform well in sessions lasting no more than 15 minutes.Â
Scotties are good thinkers and observers, so they respond well to changes of environment. This dog breed isnt one that you can control by training. Instead, they are independent and dont like to be told what to do.
As a pet owner, you should let them think that what theyre doing is their idea. Scotties can sense the tone of your voice and respond well to it. So try to be friendly and persistent with them in training sessions and reward them for good behavior.
Scottish Terriers need a diet containing mid-20% protein. You can include a small portion of canned food with their meals.Â
The best way to determine if your pet is getting the proper diet is by examining their coat. If it seems healthy and even, with no dryness, flakiness, or allergies, youre more likely feeding your Scottie suitable foods.