Is the Scottish Terrier Right For You?
- 1Scottish Terriers have a famous profile as a small dog with a beautiful, wiry coat, beard, and eyebrows.
- 2Scottish Terriers are great family and apartment dogs owing to their small size and happy demeanor.
- 3The Scottie should be walked on a leash as they have a strong chase instinct.
HISTORY
First bred in the early 18th century in Scotland, the Scottish Terrier was originally used to go after any small game that lived in dens. Their short legs and long bodies made them ideal for slinking down into these nests and rooting out the foxes, rabbits, otters, and badgers that lived there. The Scottish Terrier was accepted by the AKC in 1885.
Quick Facts
Size
Toy/Small
Lifespan
Around 13-14 years
Hair Length
Long
Male Height
10-11 inches (25-28 cm)
Male Weight
19-23 pounds (8 1/2- 10 1/2- kg)
Female Height
10-11 inches (25-28 cm)
Female Weight
19-23 pounds (8 1/2- 10 1/2- kg)
Litter Size
3 to 5 puppies
Personality
Intelligent, companionable, strong, affectionate, and courageous, the Scottish Terrier is highly protective of their owner and family. The dogs behavior and moods are prone to changes. As the Scottish Terrier is stubborn and independent, they should be given proper socialization as well as firm and gentle obedience training from puppyhood. The Scottish Terrier likes to be in the company of older children, but younger children should be kept at a safe distance from the dog. The Scottish Terrier can be highly aggressive toward strangers. An excellent household pet, the Scottish Terrier always loves to be pampered by their owner..
Color
The Scottish Terrier is most commonly somewhere between dark gray and black. Sometimes they can be a lighter brown or a brindle, but not often.
Health Concerns
The Scottish Terrier, like all other dogs, requires proper care and veterinary attention. The major health problems encountered in Scottish Terriers are:
- Scottie Cramp
- Von Willebrand disease
- flea allergy
- skin problems
- jaw problems
Appearance
The Scottish Terrier is a stocky, strong, low to the ground breed that was built to crawl down into dens and root out small game. They have dark, wiry fur, a long, boxy face, and pointed ears that stand erect atop their head.