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Scottish Terrier

independent / confident / spirited
Terrier Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

10 inches

Weight

19-22 pounds (male)

18-21 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy

12 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    40% 40%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    40% 40%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    60% 60%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    39% 39%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    40% 40%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    40% 40%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    60% 60%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    39% 39%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Scottish Terrier, a firmly compact dog with a vibrant attitude, is an independent, confident companion with great spirits. Scotties have a dignified, almost human personality. Their terrier tenacity has given the breed the moniker ‘the Diehard.’ The well-known Scottie silhouette is that of a short-legged but hefty terrier with noticeable furnishings at the beard, legs, and lower body. The wiry topcoat and soft, dense undercoat coat might be black, wheaten yellow, or striped with brindle. Bright, penetrating eyes, as well as erect ears and tail, convey strong alertness distinguishing features of Britain’s terrier breeds. Scotties have been regarded as competent and businesslike in their working attitude, and their aloofness toward outsiders makes them good watchdogs. Their hunting urge is still strong, which can make life difficult for the neighbor’s cat, and Scotties are known to be aloof toward other dogs. This daring and astute Scotsman enjoys fast walks and lively play.

 

What To Expect When Caring For a Scottish Terrier

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

The Scottish Terrier Club of America, the breed's national parent club, has good information on breed health issues on its website. A good breeder will communicate what they have found in their lines with you. There is also some outstanding research being conducted, much of it funded by the club, to assist breeders in identifying health concerns and making better breeding decisions. That means higher general health for future generations.  
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Patella Evaluation
  • Von Willebrand's Disease DNA Test
   

Grooming

Scottish Terriers require grooming on a regular basis. They have a hard, wiry outer covering and a dense, soft undercoat, making them a dual-coated breed. They should ideally be stripped by hand. This should begin while they are tiny puppies to familiarize them with the procedure. Once the coat is started, once a month is ideal, but they can be worked on frequently. It may be difficult to locate a groomer who will perform this for a pet if you do not do it yourself. In that situation, clipping the coat is permissible. With clipping, the right rough texture will eventually be lost because the undercoat will take over once the cutting process begins. Clipped coats can be kept on a six- to eight-week cycle. Weekly brushing and combing will maintain your Scottie's coat tangle-free and his skin healthy. Bathing with a good-quality moisturizing shampoo on a regular basis is acceptable for grooming.  

Exercise

Scottish Terriers require both exercise and playfulness. They have a lot of energy and need to use it in bursts. Tossing a ball or toy around for them to chase does wonders. Their nickname is the 'diehard,' and all it takes is a game of tug with a favorite toy to show that they won't stop or release go until you do. All of that activities will keep them in good shape and have a positive mindset. This makes them ideal for living in a tiny house or apartment.

Training

Scottish Terriers perform best when training sessions last no more than 15 minutes. Be innovative, and don't always execute the training the same way. This breed is a thinker, and they will not respond if they are bored. Remember that the farmers kept the dogs who could figure things out for themselves, not the ones who needed to be instructed what to do. Don't be surprised if they put you to the test. They have a strong sense of independence. That is best concentrated when it appears to be their idea to do something. They are sensitive to vocal tones and understand why you are unhappy with your voice. Simply be persistent and reward positive conduct.

Nutrition

If the Scottish Terrier's coat is healthy and develops evenly, there is no dry, flaky skin or irritation, the eyes are bright, and there is no gnawing or scratching, the dog is probably being fed a good meal. Some experienced breeders have discovered that terriers do well on a moderate-protein diet (mid-20% protein) plus a bit of addition like canned food.  

History

The Scottish Terrier is a venerable breed that was developed to hunt rats, foxes, and badgers in the mountainous Scottish Highlands. It is believed to be the oldest of the Highland terriers. According to one expert, the breed is “the oldest variety of the canine race indigenous to Britain.” Throughout the breed’s lengthy history, there has been debate concerning its origins and form. In reality, dog enthusiasts spent much of the 1800s debating what constituted a Scottish Terrier and what constituted a terrier that happened to be Scottish. Despite his lowly farm-dog background, the Scottie had high-ranking acquaintances. In the 17th century, King James I of England, a Scot by birth, was well acquainted with the breed and offered them as a gift.

 

A male named Prince Charlie, two years later. The Scottie’s popularity peaked in the 1930s and early 1940s, with celebrities like Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis falling under the spell of the breed’s peppery appeal. The Scottie shape is a well-known symbol of Depression-era knickknacks and advertising, and it is still popular among textile designers looking for a sporty retro-kitsch touch for their creations. Fala, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s constant companion throughout World War II, was history’s most famous Scottie.