Looking for a fun-sized, furry companion?
This might be just the pup for you!
The Scottish Terrier, more commonly called Scottie, is an independent-minded, loyal fellow!
Known for their very human-like character, Scotties relate well to their owners.
Scottie’s determination and persistence earned them the nickname ‘Diehard’.
This breed has been a pet and assistant to many people throughout the decades!
It is important to learn about a potential breed for adoption.
This article is here to help!
The various sections will cover anything and everything you need to know!
You will get to know the pup’s personality and all of the different shapes and forms this breed comes in!
Although the Scotties coat looks trying they have a simple grooming process!
There are sections covering his exercise and training needs, and even his health and nutrition.
And even get an in-depth dive into Scotties’ captivating history!
All of the Scotties pros and cons are included, so by the end of the article, you can consider this small addition to your family!
Let’s get started!
Appearance
Scotties come in a variety of different packages!
Short and stocky is the best way to describe these pups! Despite their size, they are very substantial and hardy!
These terriers typically stand about 10 inches tall and anywhere from 18-22 pounds.
Terrier’s life expectancy ranged from 12 to 15 years.
Scotties’ coats are generally kept rather long, and their signature ‘beard’ and long eyebrows are usually especially accentuated.
Their soft, dense undercoat is covered by a longer, wiry outer coat.
Coat colors vary from dark gray to jet black to brindle(a mix of black and brown). Occasionally, Scotties appear with wheaten, yellow to nearly white, coats.
Many Scotties exhibit white or silver specks or patches of highlights.
When trimmed, Scotties give the appearance of wearing a furry skirt!
With his ears and tail standing erect, the Scottie gives off an attentive attitude.
Hidden in their thick coats are two dark, piercing eyes that will melt your heart!
Overall a rather royal appearance!
Personality
Scottie’s royal look matches their independent and confident spirit!
Don’t let their cocky attitude fool you, these pups are suckers for family time and affection!
Typically Scotties tend to stick with one or two members of the family.
Their superiority causes some tension between Scotties and other breeds.
Tending to be very spirited, they can be rather dangerous with very young children.
Scotties are very efficient and business-like when given a job to do.
Their aloofness toward strangers and their tendency to bark makes Scotties great watchdogs.
With their human-like characteristics, Scotties can tend to be a little moody, just like adults!
Unlike other dogs, these dogs don’t require too much 24/7 attention. They tend to trot off on their own for personal time.
Mostly they are a relaxed breed but they are very excitable when it comes to chasing their favorite prey or when they have a chance to show off their skills.
All of these characteristics make Scotties a great pet for anyone who delights in their fun and quirky personality!
Exercise
Scotties are very versatile when it comes to their exercise needs.
They require a minimum of 40 minutes of exercise daily.
A daily walk is very suitable for Scotties, which makes them a perfect city or apartment dog.
Playtime is necessary for the Scottie since they have very high energy they need to work it off.
Scotties appreciate games of fetch or tug of war, given their competitive nature.
It is important to have a fenced-in yard or a nearby dog park with this breed. This ensures that they can run freely.
Their history of digging and chasing after vermin makes them prone to digging holes, so making sure that your fence is secure is a must.
Unless they are very well trained, Scotties should be kept on a leash when not in a fenced area because they tend to chase after small critters.
Something to note with this breed is that they are not a capable swimmer given their short legs and thick fur.
All of these things can be changed with some loving training.
Remember that exercise is necessary to retain the Scotties good shape and attitude!
Grooming
The Scottish Terrier’s signature coat requires some attention.
The ideal form of grooming for these Scotties is to hand-strip their coat monthly.
Starting this when they are puppies is very important so they can get used to the process.
Typically this is something that is done by the owner since it isn’t easy to find a groomer who will do this for a pet.
Another option with this breed is to clip the coat every 6 to 8 weeks.
A downside to this method is that the clipping can slowly change the coat’s proper harsh texture, letting the softer undercoat take over.
Aside from this, brushing out the coat several times a week and a periodic bath are also part of this breed’s grooming process.
Nails should be trimmed regularly and teeth brushed daily.
The Scottie’s coat sheds very little despite its long fur.
All of this can be learned by the owner or they can be taken to a professional groomer.
It is important to take care of these dogs’ beautiful coats!
Training
As with any pup, training is very important and yes, a challenge.
Scotties tend to be rather stubborn so training requires extra patience and love.
Despite this, they are a very intelligent breed.
Training should not exceed sessions longer than 15 minutes.
If the same training is repeated, Scotties tend to get very bored and then unresponsive. So creativity is important in Scotties’ training.
These pups will do their best to test you, so make sure they know who’s boss!
Scotties’ independent streak is more apparent in training.
Exposing these pups to new surroundings and people at an early age will help them later in their shyness or aggressiveness toward strangers.
Housebreaking as with any new indoor companion is always a challenge.
Scotties are very intelligent so they are able to understand the tone of voice. They can differentiate between positive and negative comments.
Their intelligence and trainability make them strong competitors in canine events.
Be sure that you are firm with them and also that you have a reward-based training program.
Scotties are sensitive so be careful when training that you are patient and loving with them!
Health
As with any dog, it is important to understand any health risks or concerns before adopting.
A good breeder will inform you of any health problems involved with this certain breed.
Two genetic health concerns seen with this breed are Von Willebrand disease or VWD and craniomandibular osteopathy or CMO.
CMO is caused by excessive bone growth in the bottom jaw, which usually appears between 4 and 7 months of age.
Symptoms of this disease include, difficulty grasping and chewing, drooling, and swelling of the face.
VWD is a hereditary bleeding disorder. It affects the clotting of blood and can cause abnormal platelet function and prolonged bleeding.
Genetic testing is available to identify if either of these diseases exist in your pup.
Scottish Terriers have a greater chance of developing some cancers than other purebreds. That is something to keep in mind and to get checked out if symptoms arise.
There are several signs to tell if your Scottie is being fed suitable dog food.
If his coat is growing healthy and evenly, and if there is no dry, flaky skin or irritation, and if the eyes are bright and there is no chewing or itching; you can rest assured that he is being fed well!
Protein rich dog food and fresh clean water should be provided daily.
Don’t overfeed your pup on human foods and learn which are safe and which are not.
Finally, don’t be a stranger to the vet, make sure to have a regular checkup to make sure your Scottie is doing well!
History
Scottish Terriers have been around for a long time, they are thought to be the oldest of the Highland Terriers.
In fact, one authority went so far as to say that they are “ the oldest variety of the canine race indigenous to Britain”.
Surely if they’ve been around for that long there must be a reason! Let’s find out!
Scotties were originally developed to hunt rats and other vermin in the rough Scottish Highlands.
Now there was much debate about the origin of the Scottish Terriers, and in the 1800s especially.
The Scottie’s royal appearance begins to unfold in the 17th century in England when King James the I got well-acquainted with the breed and began to give them away as gifts.
In 1883 the first Scottish Terriers arrived by import to America! Here the Scottie made more friends including President Franklin Roosevelt who had a Scottie names Fala.
The AKC registered its first Scottie, named Prince Charlie, in 1885.
Scottie’s peak was in the 1930s and early 40s and was adopted by many celebrities!
The silhouette of the Scottie was very familiar in Depression-era knick-knacks and advertising. It is still seen today in the textile industry in some retro designs.
Scottish Terriers were companions of so many people throughout history, and they could be your constant companion too!
Where Can I Find a Scottish Terrier?
It can feel overwhelming when you’re searching for a pup to adopt.
Good breeders are the most important things to look for. Reliable breeders should have a good knowledge of all of their breeds.
They should be willing to discuss the pup’s medical documentation, the company’s breeding practices, and possible risks with this certain breed.
You want your furry friend to come from a good home and to be cared for by trustworthy people.
Steer clear of puppy mills and scams, as they make it very easy to get sucked in and cause you to make a decision you’ll regret.
A puppy is a privilege and a responsibility, don’t be hasty when searching.
Take your time and talk to responsible breeders who are willing to answer your questions!
Find out what breed suits you best and get to know the pup before you decide to take them home.
So if you are interested in adopting a Scottie, they can be found right here at VIP Puppies! Feel free to ask questions and see if you can find your loyal companion!
FAQ
Q: When Do Scottish Terriers Calm Down?
A: Scottish Terriers are a relatively calm breed of dog, but they do have a lot of energy. They tend to calm down as they get older, usually around the age of two or three.
Q: Are Scottish Terriers Friendly With Kids?
A: If these canines are properly introduced to kids at an early age and they have been given proper training by their owners, then the Scottish Terriers are known to get along just fine with kids of all ages. But without proper guidance and training, these pooches generally do not tolerate all the antics and quirks of a small child and thus should be carefully supervised whenever they are in the company of a kid.
Q: Are Scottish Terriers Apartment friendly?
A: Yes! The Scottish Terriers are wonderful apartment canines. They don’t have very high exercise and movement needs and they mostly remain very relaxed and content inside their homes. They are known to adjust to the apartment lifestyle really quickly and thus, these canines are a great option for apartment dwellers who are in search of a small-sized friendly pooch.
In Closing
How do you feel about our fun little friends?
Could one of these royal Scotties be your new companion?
The Scottish Terrier is a big dog in a little dog’s body, its quirky personality dwarfs its little body!
A protective watchdog and a cuddly couch potato all in one!
Consider if these pups could be just the addition you need!
Whether you live alone, with a family, in the country, or in the city, the Scottie is a perfect pet!
By your side every day, Scottie is always ready for his next adventure!
References
American Kennel Club. (2022). Scottish Terrier Retrieved from the American Kennel Club:https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/scottish-terrier/
Wikipedia. (2023). Scottish Terrier (dog). Retrieved from Wikipedia:https://www.en.wikpedia.org/wiki/Scottish-terrier_(dog)/
The Spruce Pets. (2022). Scottish Terrier. Retrieved from the Spruce Pets:https://www.thesprucepets.com/scottish-terrier/
Tails Buddy.(2019). Scottish Terrier. Retrieved from Tails Buddy:https://www.tailsbuddy.com/dog-breeds/scottish/terrier/faq/
