Scottish Terrier -

The Scottish Terrier is a small dog breed that comes from the Terrier family. They are small, energetic, with a special sense of self-dignity that makes them quite funny. As many Terrier breeds, the Scottish Terriers are fantastic watchdogs that will alert you about anything suspicious going on around their territory. They are small but extremely agile and athletic which makes them great competitors at dog sports such as agility.

The Scottish Terrier is a great companion breed that will enjoy most of the family activities. They are not too fond of jogging or cycling so if you are looking to have an active companion, think about a different breed. They are typical Terriers and that means they have a high prey drive so if you have other pets like Guinea pigs or rabbits, this might not be the best dog breed for you. Terriers were used for vermin control and you can make sure that no rodents will enter your yard will your Scottie is on guard. They also like to dig holes so make sure to teach them which part of the yard they are allowed to dig or give them another way of satisfying their digging urges and needs.

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Height:

9.8 -11 in (25-28 cm)

Weight:

18,5-23 lb (8,5-10,5 kg)

Origin:

Great Britain

Life Expectancy:

11-13 years

Breed History

Scottish Terrierwas originally developed for hunting rats, foxes, and badgers in the Scottish Highlands. First dogs were imported in the US in 1883 and these dogs reached peak of their popularity in the 1930s.

Dog Breed Characteristics

Energy Level Grooming Needs Exercise Needs Trainability Intelligence Kid Friendly Dog Friendly General Health

FCI standard

The FCI or the Federation Cynologique Internationale is a union of 98 cynology associations around the world that have agreed and adapted the original Scottish Terrier standard. This standard describes these dogs as being short-legged, alert, and suggestive. These dogs have a surprising amount of power compared to their size. This standard placed these dogs in Group 3 (Terriers), Section 2 (Small-sized Terriers). These dogs are not required to have a working trial.

This standard also describes the required size for these dogs and it is 9,8 – 11 in (25 – 28 cm) for both sexes with a proportional weight of 18,5 – 23 lbs (8,5 – 10,5 kg).

The Scottish Terrier was registered by the FCI on the 18th of October 1954.

Grooming

Scottish Terrierhas a hard and wiry topcoat and a soft and dense undercoat. These dogs don’t shed much and only regular brushing will be enough to keep them looking good.

Scottish Terriercoat colors:

• Black
• Wheaten
• brindle of any color

They will also need other basic care; brush their teeth at least three times a week. Check their ears for signs of infection and redness, bathe them regularly, and trim their nails if they don’t wear them down naturally.

Exercise

Scottish Terrier dogs are medium active and they will need a proper amount of daily activities to be happy. Playing with his owner in the house, chasing the ball, or just long walks can all do the trick and keep this dog satisfied. If you provide him with enough daily activities you don’t have to worry that your dog will miss behaving.

Socialization

Like any other dog breed, the Scottish Terriershould start the socialization process as soon as possible. Dogs that are not well socialized are prone to behavioral problems and might react badly to situations they are not familiar with.

There are many ways you can socialize your Scottish Terrier, and the most important thing to do is to get your dog familiar with different situations they can find themselves in. Take your dog to dog parks where they can meet other dogs and people. They can learn to react accordingly and understand that they don’t need to be scared of strangers and other dogs.

Kids

Early socialization and proper training can teach them to behave even when children are around. Their temperament makes them more suitable for families with older children. If you train and socialize your dog well, your children will get a great playing partner that has plenty of energy. However, Scottish Terriers will not tolerate aggressive behavior towards them or even between other children and may stop their quarrel before it escalates.

Children should never be left alone with any dog, no matter what breed it might be. You should make sure that your children understand how to approach dogs of this breed and understand how to interact and play with them properly.

Other animals

Scottish Terrier can be aggressive toward other dogs you should always be careful. Here is where proper socialization will play its part. They are not the best fit for other pets. They have a strong prey drive, so they will most likely try and catch smaller animals such as gerbils, hamsters, squirrels, or rabbits

Health problems

Like any other dog breed, the Scottish Terrier can potentially develop health problems. If you are buying a dog, make sure the breeder can provide you with the necessary health tests and guarantees. Always ask to see the results of tests from the puppy’s parents. The health problems these dogs are associated with are:

• Von Willebrand’s Disease – Problem with blood clotting, can affect humans and dogs.
• Patellar luxation
• osteopathy

The Scottish Terrieris generally considered a very healthy breed that can live 11-13 years.

If you decide to buy a puppy of this breed, make sure it is from a registered and reputable Scottish Terrier breeder. Reputable breeders take good care of the physical and mental health of the dogs and mate only the best and healthiest dogs. A good breeder will tell you everything you need to know about these dogs and even tell you what medical conditions you should keep an eye on. These dogs are typical Terriers so before you get one, try and learn as much as you can about this breed.

Buying a dog from a responsible breeder will cost you more money, but you can be sure that you will get a healthy puppy.

If you are unsure whether this is the breed for you, check out this FREE GUIDE that will help you decide which dog breed is right for you.

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