Scottish Terrier - Breed Introduction
The Terrier most people recognize is the Scottish Terrier. Seen on such products as Dewars Scotch and other Scottish products, the Scottie is the squarish black dog that looks great up against red tartan plaids!
Friendly and fearless, the Scottie is popular as a companion dog, and also used for attack, watchdog, hunting and guardian of children.
The Scottie should be about 10 inches (26 cm) at the shoulders, while the length of the back is about 11 inches from the neck to the tail. A well-balanced Scottie will weigh from 19 to 23 pounds (8.5 to 10.5 kg).
History of the Breed
Develoepd in the Scottish highlands during the 1700s, the Scottie is a short-legged British terrier. All of today’s dogs rose from the same stock with some being sent to King James I of England during the 16th century.
In the late 1800s three different Terriers were shown as Scotties, but eventually two were renamed: the Cairn Terrier and the West Highland White Terriers. Previously the Dandie Dinmont was included in the group, but its different look and conformation separated it out by itself.
Courageous and undaunted in the face of danger, merciless against its prey, it was used for a long time for hunting animals in their dens. It specialized in foxes, badgers, otter and rabbits. Today it has captured the hearts of people who have them as companions.
Their wiry coats protected them from the cold climates and rugged terrain of the Scottish highlands.
While the Scottie is recognized as the “black dog in plaid” in their native home they are known for their independence and determination
In the United States, the Scottie soon became the favorites of many famous people including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who owned Fala. And President George W. Bush who had Barney.
Today, people still will confuse the Scotties, Cairns, and Westies as they are similar in appearance. However, once you look closely, you’ll see that the Scottie is longer in head and body, generally darker in color, and always distinct in personality.
AKC registered 3,559 individual Scottish Terriers in 2003, up slightly from the 2002 figures. Litter registrations were down slightly to 1649 for the year.
Color and Coat
The Scottie’s coat should be a broken coat: it has a hard, wiry outer coat with a soft, dense undercoat. To get the distinct Scottish Terrier outline The coat should be trimmed and blended into the furnishings. The furnishings include a beard, longer hair on the legs and lower body….and all should be softer than the body coat, but not appear fluffy.
While the popular color is black, the Scottie can also be wheaten or brindle of any color. Black and brindle dogs may have sprinklings of silver or white hairs in their coats. White is allowed on the chest and chin.
Personality and Temperament
Lively, ardent, proud, independent, intelligent dignified. It pins its affections almost exclusively on members of the family with which it lives, remaining indifferent to strangers. It is described as the “dog that can go anywhere and do anything”. It is very sensitive to criticism and praise and therefore should be trained gently.
The Scottie always has a “heads up, tails up” attitude in the ring. That shows off his fire and control. They are loving with all people, but can become territorial and aggressive with other dogs. They can be stubborn as they have a mind of their own. They are reserved with the people around him, and loyal.
Surprisingly, the Scottie can tolerate rough play and rowdy children. They are sensitive, and can hone in on their owner’s feelings. Although small and good for apartments, they do bark a lot and if they have a yard to run in, they like to dig.
His independence can hamper his training, so an obedience school is a good idea for Scottie. He needs to be trained with a firm but gentle hand so his spirit is not broken, but he needs to learn quickly who is boss.
Show Characteristics
The Scottie should be symmetrical and balanced, its body thick and heavy boned.
Its head is long, but proportionate to its body. It has a large nose and large teeth. There is s stop between its skull and its muzzle. The eyes are set in under the brow, giving the Scottie its infamous expression of sternness and intelligence. The eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown, set wide apart and well under the brows.
Small, bright and piercing. The ears are pointed and carried erect on top of its head. Wide apart and well in under the brow. Viewed from the front, the outer edge of the ear should form a straight line up from the side of the skull, adding to the Scotties keen, intelligent look.
The neck is short, thick and muscular joining into well laid back shoulders. The back is short with deep loins and muscular hindquarters. Its chest should be broad, very deep and let down between the forelegs. It’s forelegs are heavy in bone. The forefeet are larger than the hind feet, well padded and round. Toeing out is acceptable for this breed.
The tail is never cut, and should be about seven inches long, carried high and erect. Its thighs are very powerful to help move him through the brush and rocks, and be able to push him into the dens to catch his prey.
Another trait of the Scottie is its gait. Its forelegs incline slightly inward because of its deep fore chest, giving it a free, agile but coordinated walk. This gives him a powerful drive from the rear and good reach from the front. When in motion, the Scottie’s back stays level.
Typical Health Concerns
Typically a healthy breed, the Scottie is susceptible to von Willibrand's disease (vWD), skin problems and flea allergies, epilepsy, and some jawbone disorders. He is also prone to Scottie cramp, a minor condition that may cause difficulty in walking.
Cerebellar abiotrophy, a rare, slow-to-progress neurological disease that causes loss of coordination, has also been found in the breed.
Grooming
Its imperative that owners make sure to keep the Scottie’s coat texture. It needs to be combed a few times a week, and trimmed on occasion. Because of its hard coat, it needs to be stripped at least twice a year.
This will require a professional to do it as it’s a tedious job that if not done properly can affect the coat. If trimmed with shears, the coat will grow back in softer.
Average Life Span
The Scottie’s average life span is 10 to 13 years.
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