Scottish Terrier Shedding – What to Expect!
Scottish Terriers are a low shedding breed. 2/5 Shedding Level
To help put into perspective what “low shedding” looks like, it basically means you’ll notice some hair floating around the home, but not copious amounts like you would with a German Shedder (AKA German Shepherd).
Overall, Scotties molt about the same amount as a smooth Fox Terrier and other terriers, like the West Highland White Terrier for example. So it’s very manageable with proper grooming.
The other great thing about the Scottish Terrier is that his coat is considered to be less likely to cause allergies than the average dog. Some state that he is “hypoallergenic” but in reality there’s no such thing as a fully hypoallergenic dog. Because all dogs produce things like dander and saliva, which are actually what trigger allergies in the first place.
Either way, he is generally considered to be more suitable for people with allergies than the average dog. So if you’re looking for a low shedding, low allergenic dog, the Scottie may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
With that being said, this breed is definitely not for people who are looking for a low maintenance, easy to groom dog. Because he’s almost the complete opposite.
A Little About Scottish Terriers
You may also know this cute breed as the Aberdeen Terrier, although I have always called them Scottie dogs.
Originally the breed was simply grouped under the name of Skye Terriers and the Scottish Terrier was one of the five that make up this group.
My friend has one of these cute dogs, he is independent and sometimes can be quite feisty. He’s a small, compact doggie, with short legs and a stocky body.
What catches my attention right away are his sharp eyes, which seem to look right through me. Little erect ears and a pointy tail are also some of the breed characteristics.
My friend tells me that her Scottie’s coat is hard and wiry. It is also weatherproof.
I decided to find out a little more about the coat and how much the Scottish Terrier sheds because may people suffer from allergies and may prefer a dog who does not shed too much.
How Much do Scottish Terriers Shed?
Although the breed sheds far less than many other breeds, they will still shed.
You can expect to find some hair on the floor as the seasons change. The start of spring will see some excess hair, as will the start of winter.
With regular grooming you will be able to catch the dead hair in the brush rather than find it on the floor.
That’s a huge bonus to anyone who does not like excessive amounts of hair in the house, or anyone who suffers from allergies.
Keeping the coat clipped and trimmed will also help to reduce any dropped hair. Ideally you need to clip and trim every few months.
The Scottish Terrier breed is classed as a ‘medium’ shedder which means that they do not drop a huge amount of hair. You can still expect some shed hair, just not a mountain of it!
Scottish Terrier Pros And Cons | Should You REALLY Get A SCOTTISH TERRIER?
Scottish Terriers, a.k.a. Scotties, are small, playful terriers with short legs. They are the most popular breed in the White House, being in the White House with 3 U.S. presidents: Roosevelt, Eisenhower and George W. Bush.
These small terriers have almond-shaped eyes, pointed high-standing ears and a tail that tapers in thickness that can be straight or slightly curved. The coarse, weather-resistant coat has a soft undercoat and comes in colors of black, brindle or wheaten.
Hailing from Scotland, the breed was used to hunt fox and vermin for farmers. Their first dog show appearance in England occurred in 1860.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Digging is an instinctive trait in the Scottie, so provide a place where it is acceptable for your dog to dig to fulfill this instinct. This may prove difficult for Scotties in apartments, but enough daily exercise should tire them out.