Scottish Terriers

Appearance:

Body: Sturdy, compact, strong, and low-to-ground with a short, firm, level back, wide, very deep chest, well-sprung ribs, and long, well laid back, sloping shoulders.

Coat: Long, harsh, thick, wiry, and water-resistant; undercoat is soft and dense.

Color: Dark gray to jet black, sandy, grizzle, wheaten, or brindle.

Ears: Small, pointed, finely textured, high set, and held erect.

Eyes: Small, almond-shaped, wide set, and dark; expressively troublesome.

Feet: Round with tight, well-arched toes.

Head: Long in proportion to the body, skull is slightly domed with a scant stop, distinctively long eyebrows, slightly tapering muzzle, and large black nose; head is carried with pride.

Legs: Forelegs are short, straight or slightly bent, strong, and heavily-boned. Hindquarters are muscular and powerful with legs straight from the hock to the heel, and well-bent stifles.

Neck: Moderate in length, thick, strong, and well-muscled.

Size:
Weight: 19 - 22 pounds
Height: 9 - 10 inches

Tail: Short, thick at the root tapering to the tip, and carried straight up.

Behavior

Recommended for experienced dog handlers
Can be aggressive with other dogs
Love to dig

Dignified, feisty, and with a "lets get going" attitude, the Scottish Terrier is always ready to join in the activities whatever they may be. He is a quiet, non-aggressive dog with a robust and spirited personality who loves to romp and play whenever possible.

He's a well known breed once owned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt who brought his Scottie, Fala, along with him on many trips, and President George W. Bush who owns two Scottish Terriers named Barney and Mrs. Beazley. A Scottish Terrier named Jock was one of the character dogs used in the Walt Disney film Lady and the Tramp, one of the pieces on the Monopoly game board is a Scotty, and he is known from the labels on the Scotch Whiskey bottles.

Besides his small size, he is known for his short legs, beard, tousled eyebrows, and for his troublesome expression. He is dignified, self-assured, bold, and sometimes contentious. A true terrier with the ability to go to ground, if necessary, to catch his prey. Because of his "ego" and feisty personality, socialization should begin early and be continued to develop a well-behaved, well-balanced adult Scottish Terrier.

AKC Standard says, "The Scottish Terrier's bold, confident, dignified aspect exemplifies power in a small package. He is a determined and thoughtful dog whose "heads up, tails up" attitude in the ring should convey both fire and control."

Independently minded and oozing with self esteem, the Scotty isn't fond of being told what to do. He requires a confident, self-assured owner, experienced, with obedience training, who is capable of being a strong but respectful leader. As with any dog, positive, reward-type training methods are recommended.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Terrier Group

Originally used in Scotland to hunt badger, fox, and rodents.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: A daily walk around the block will keep him happy and fit.

Grooming: Brush his coat two to three times weekly and his beard daily.

Health

Life Expectancy: 13 - 14 Years

Possible Problems:
Cataracts
Dental issues
Epilepsy
Luxating Patellar - dislocation of the knee caps
Scottie Cramp - a nervous system disorder affecting his gait when running
vWD - a blood disorder

Recommended Certificates:
DNA - for vWD (to ensure that only one parent, if any, is a carrier)

Country of Origin

Scotland