Scottish Terrier
A dignified, independent Scottish terrier with a beard, bushy eyebrows and a very firm opinion of its own.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- 25–28 cm
- Weight
- 8.5–10.5 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–13 years
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Grooming
- Regular trips to a groomer
- Coat
- Wire-haired, Double coat, medium
- Colours
- Black, Wheaten, Brindle
- Bred for
- Terrier work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 3, no. 73 · Terriers
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 3/5 – Moderate |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 4/5 – High |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 4/5 – High |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a dignified small dog that isn't overly needy
- live in a flat or town house
- like a good watchdog
Think twice if you …
- have young children who want a playmate
- keep other small pets
- expect a very obedient dog
Care
Temperament
Dignified, determined and self-assured, often reserved with strangers. Loyal and affectionate in its own quiet way.
Exercise
Moderate daily walks and play, about 30 to 60 minutes, are enough; it enjoys sniffing walks and digging games.
Grooming
The wiry coat needs regular brushing and hand-stripping or clipping every couple of months; shedding is light.
Training
Independent and stubborn; training works best when it is calm, short and reward-based.
Health
Scottie cramp, von Willebrand disease, craniomandibular osteopathy and a higher than average risk of bladder cancer are seen in the breed. Ask the breeder for DNA results and any other health checks.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
DNA tests
- von Willebrand disease type III
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Scottish Terrier was developed in the Highlands to hunt foxes, badgers and vermin among rocks and burrows. Its short legs, strong body and powerful jaws suited work underground. By the late nineteenth century the type was standardised and it became a well-known show breed.
Living with a Scottie means sharing your home with a dog that is loyal but not clingy. It often chooses its own favourite person and can be aloof with strangers. It is a good watchdog and usually calm indoors, but it is independent and can be sensitive to rough handling.
Did you know?
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottish Terrier, Fala, is the only presidential pet included in the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C.