Scottish Terrier

View Another Breed:
Scottish Terrier

Scottish Terrier Characteristics

Size:
Grooming Needs:
Exercise Needs:
Good With Dogs:
Watchdog Ability:

Scottish Terrier Breed Information

Breed Group: Terrier

Weight: Male: 19-22; Female: 18-21 lbs

Height: 10 inches

Color(s): Black, wheaten, or brindle of any color

Otis-www.littlepuppiesonline.com

Scottish Terrier

$399.00

Pixie-www.littlepuppiesonline.com

Scottish Terrier

$450.00

Overview

The Scottish Terrier originated in Scotland and is considered to be the most ancient of any Highland Terrier. They are curious and playful, small and muscular. The Scottie makes a good companion for the right family. They have a compact and sturdy build.

Character

The Scottish Terrier exudes a bold and dignified manner. They do not give their love and devotion freely. This breed will typically watch their surroundings and those around them before making any decisions regarding them. The Scottie is extremely smart and independent.

Temperament

The Scottish Terrier will go anywhere and do anything. They have a dominant personality and a tendency to be territorial. The Scottie may show aggression to other dogs and cats if they are not socialized properly at an early age. They are good watchdogs and will not bark without good reason. They are not tolerant of unruly and rambunctious young children.

Care

The Scottish Terrier requires brushing twice weekly to keep the coat tangle free. They do require grooming and trimming to keep their distinctive look. The Scottie is highly prone to cancer of the bladder. They also may suffer from cataracts, hypothyroidism, and Von Willebrand Disease. This breed is especially sensitive to fleas and many have skin problems.

Coat

The Scottish Terrier's coat is coarse with a soft and dense undercoat that provides protection from bad weather. The outer hair coat is hard and wiry and grows to approximately 2 inches in length. This breed is low shedding. The Scottie is most often black in color, but the coat may also be brindle, gray, sandy, and wheaten. They are never white.

Training

The Scottish Terrier does best with very early socialization training to avoid aggression to other dogs' as they get older. Their strong independence presents a training challenge. The Scottie can be stubborn, so motivation, consistency, and positive praise are a must. They do very well in obedience and agility if the proper training techniques are utilized.

Activity

The Scottish Terrier is always ready for an adventure and activity. They require long walks, stimulation, and play. The Scottie does not do well in extremely warm climates. They love to play ball and derive great pleasure from playing fetch. They do well in apartment living provided they are exercised appropriately. The Scottie will become bored and destructive if they do not receive stimulation and exercise and may dig and bark excessively.

Ask a Question Scottish Terrier Questions & Answers

QUESTION: Where can we find white Scottie puppy?

Anonymous - 2/6/2012 12:15:29 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: my scottish terrier waddles when he walks is this bad? :(

Anonymous - 1/18/2012 4:47:18 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: I'm the proud mom to two scotties-one black and one wheaten. I have noticed that my wheaten scottie's coat is coarser than the black scotties. Is it a trait of a wheaten scottie? The black scottie's coat is very soft in comparison.

Anonymous - 12/23/2011 3:25:21 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: My eight year old Scottie is very pigeon toed - both front and back paws. Is this normal? She does nor like walking on lead - prefers to sniff. We live in Suffolk, England.

Anonymous - 11/18/2011 4:30:43 AM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: how much to send a scottie to melb australia

Anonymous - 10/12/2011 5:55:02 AM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: my scottie is in season and this is her second week bleeding is she supposed to bleed this long

Anonymous - 9/13/2011 8:45:42 PM

Respond to Question

Yes, a Scottie can stay in season as long as 21 days. Do not let her outside where there are other dogs for 3 weeks, unless you are there and she is on lead, or you may have puppies.

Anonymous - 9/30/2011 12:02:37 PM

QUESTION: Do Scotties ears naturally point up and stay up as they get older? My 12 wk old Scottish terrier's ear are long and floppy. Are they like Dobberman Pinchers that have to get snipped?

Anonymous - 8/26/2011 5:01:46 PM

Respond to Question

They will naturally stand up. Do not apply scissors to your Scottie. EVER.

Anonymous - 8/30/2011 8:45:01 PM

QUESTION: I just recently got a scottie puppy. SHes 3 months old and her coat hasnt fully came in. How long does it usually take for their coats to fully come in?

Anonymous - 7/9/2011 7:05:39 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: So I read that scotties can get hair cuts?what kind of cut is it call?

Anonymous - 7/1/2011 7:17:00 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: My Scottish Terrier is a very playfull pup who Loves to run right behind our Lab..It is so funny to see Max running and trying to keep up with our Lab..Max Loves to play in the high bushes..We live on a army Post and it is not okay to allow animals run on their own..Max will come back full of ticks..front line is like a joke...Is there anything else for those little blood sucking bugs called ticks...We give him baths as much as needed But after a while it gets trying...

Anonymous - 7/1/2011 7:15:46 PM

Respond to Question

Try Brewer's yeast with garlic it's excellent for the skin and coat.It will keep mosquito and fleas away I was 3 scotties and they have never had fleas.

Anonymous - 10/15/2011 1:10:28 PM

QUESTION: How long will my spade female be in heat?

Anonymous - 6/10/2011 3:42:33 PM

Respond to Question

a dog that has been spayed does not come into heat.

Anonymous - 1/18/2012 4:31:23 AM

QUESTION: Do scottie's have a sensitive diet?

Anonymous - 5/26/2011 9:52:16 PM

Respond to Question

My scottie is really allergic to red meat - beef and pork - she breaks out in red welts like nasty hives within about 12 hours if some well meaning guest has given in to "the look" during dinner. So my vet recommended a primarily vegetarian diet, augmented with chicken and fish. She loves sardines in spring water, pink salmon, tuna, herring mixed up with brown rice and veggies - she loves spinach, carrots, chard, broccoli and, yes, she's crazy for fresh local asparagus. I cook her food rather than buy canned or kibble prepared dog foods - she is also allergic to yeast and refined carbs, both of which are present in most prepared dog foods.

Anonymous - 6/1/2011 11:50:12 PM

QUESTION: Any known allergies to people from scotties? I am thinking of getting my first scottie.

Anonymous - 5/22/2011 9:46:24 PM

Respond to Question

My scottie does not really shed that much. Though our longhaired dauchshund does!

Anonymous - 1/31/2012 5:09:06 PM

Scooties are wonderful pets. I have allergies and so does my daughter severly to animals (daughter) and our scottie does not affect her at all. You just have to remember to keep them clean and brushed or their hair short. The skirt is nice on a scottie but, get matted easily.

Anonymous - 6/10/2011 4:49:56 PM

QUESTION: I have a 7 month old male scottie, he does not let us know when he needs to go potty. How can we get him to let us know? We have A BLACK lab and he is 4yrs old he let's know all the time.

Anonymous - 5/1/2011 10:47:34 AM

Respond to Question

I have a six month old female Scottie. I normally take her out every couple of hours when I am home in the morning and evening. She will give some indications of need by standing at the door but she doesn't give a lot of notice. Things improved greatly once I started rewarding her with a Cheerio for each correct potty break. We also have an inside Potty Patch that she uses during working hours. For some reason, she still likes to have "accidents" in the basement on rugs.

Anonymous - 5/4/2011 5:42:08 PM

QUESTION: I have a 4 year old male scottie. His tail does not stand erect like other scotties I have seen.....is this abnormal? Also, he is developing gray hairs on his back...is this normal? Thanks. Peter

Anonymous - 4/12/2011 8:06:45 PM

Respond to Question

My scottie is a mix with a Cairn, but we see many more scottie traits in her :-) her tail is very low on her body & doesn't stay up. she's just turned two & has started greying and whiteing:-)

Anonymous - 2/7/2012 9:46:34 AM

Scotties often will go gray, or get white hairs. So Normal. On the tail I guess that something happened to his tail when he was a pup. You might want the vet to take a look.

Anonymous - 4/28/2011 3:05:03 PM

QUESTION: I have a male Wheaten Scottish Terrier and a solid black female Scottish Terrier. The female had pups and most of the pups are black with a splash of white under the neck or on the chest. This isn't desirable as a Scottie trait is it? Will they change color at all as they grow, some one told me those with white often go brindle. Is that true? Thank you for your help!

Anonymous - 4/12/2011 5:19:50 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: I'm confused. The site says "They are never white" under COAT, and "They are good watchdogs..." under TEMPERAMENT, but the photo show's a white Scottish Terrier (I'm assuming it's a ST, but how can it be if they aren't white) and the lowest rating under Watchdog Ability. Can someone please set me straight on what the correct information is. Thanks :)

Anonymous - 3/16/2011 5:29:02 PM

Respond to Question

My scotties are good Watchdogs in that they bark to tell me when someone is coming up to the house. Beyond that, they aren't scaring anyone away :)

melodie.chastain - 6/30/2011 9:29:48 AM

They are wheaten colored scottish terriers. They have a yellowish tint so the arent "white" but they sometimes appear that way.

Anonymous - 3/21/2011 1:08:44 AM

QUESTION: If a Scottie puppy has a Brindle dad and Wheaton mom and was born with black fur, will the color remain black?

Anonymous - 3/11/2011 8:55:12 AM

Respond to Question

I have a 13 year old lack female scottie who had a very white wheaten parent and to this day only has a couple of gray hairs other than her solid black!!

lbollengier - 5/25/2011 2:59:50 PM

Yes, it will remain black. You may see a little more or less brindling as the Scottie puppy ages.

smoorescotties - 3/11/2011 11:08:34 PM

QUESTION: Are all Scottish Terrier puppies born with black coat and then it turns to the true color as the puppy gets older?

Anonymous - 3/4/2011 11:57:00 PM

Respond to Question

No, the Scottie puppy is born the color is will be. Some may show slightly more or less brindle as it ages.

smoorescotties - 3/11/2011 11:09:26 PM

QUESTION: We have a 2 year old Scottie. During the first year of having him, we lived in an apt but now live in a house. Previously we walked him around the neighborhood 4 - 5 times a day. Now we live 1 block from a dog park and have started taking him just recently. He loves the other dogs, and tries to keep up with them, but occasionally after 5 - 10 minutes of playing his hind legs seem like they seize up and he can't move them as well and tends to just drop his hind end on the ground, it looks like they are cramping to me (I tend to do the same thing when my legs cramp). Is this normal? Is it just from a lack of exercise? Or could it be something more serious?

Anonymous - 2/27/2011 3:02:56 PM

Respond to Question

It sounds like he has Scottie Cramp, which is obviously a breed abnormality.

smoorescotties - 3/11/2011 11:10:31 PM

QUESTION: My 6 yr old scottie has developed a Vshaped ridge on his skull. The past 3 months it has become mor pronounced

Anonymous - 1/17/2011 5:42:09 PM

Respond to Question

Was there any injury? Could your scottie be putting his head under a fence or something like that? Is it a bulge, is it losing hair?

lbollengier - 2/19/2011 6:32:29 PM

QUESTION: Are wheaten Scotties harder to train than black or brindle Scots?

Anonymous - 1/9/2011 11:26:04 PM

Respond to Question

In my experience all Scotties are different - like children!! THey have SOOO much personality for a dog!! The main trick is being firm with them from day one. If you baby them too much and let them do what they want as puppies, they will rule over you the rest of their lives and if you are not the boss, why do what you say? It all comes down to their breeding over the years to be "Independent hunters" It is intrinsic to their brain to follow their instincts. You have to get in early to fix that "wiring"!!

lbollengier - 5/25/2011 3:04:27 PM

Of course not! All Scotties are at the same level of training, it does not have to be taken by its color.

Anonymous - 1/12/2011 11:35:31 AM

QUESTION: Why can we not get our Scottish Terrier bitches to conceive? This is our third attempt with different reprutable sires and no pups.

Anonymous - 1/4/2011 11:48:07 AM

Respond to Question

Have you actually seen them **? If not, they probably need a little help or guidance!!! Please email me at LBollengier@aol.com so we do not publicly discusss!!

lbollengier - 2/19/2011 6:31:10 PM

QUESTION: Is the Scottish Terrier a breed that would be okay as an outside dog in N TX? Hot in the summer relatively mild winter most of the time. Is their small size an issue with living outside (large fenced yard)?

Anonymous - 11/30/2010 4:04:01 PM

Respond to Question

We have a Scottie and live near Dallas. He does very well but I would agree with one of the other answers in that you don't need to leave them outside for long periods. Generally they will show you pretty quick they are ready to go back inside if its warm. They really have the most personality of any dog I've ever been buddies with.

Anonymous - 5/28/2011 10:16:54 PM

Scotties would do very well in North Texas and outside. Mine do great in Oklahoma. You just have to make sure they can not get out of the yard, because they will wonder off!

smoorescotties - 1/28/2011 6:27:22 PM

We live in North Texas! Actually Scotties do well here but I would not leave them outdoors 24/7. They tolerate heat better than some of the large breeds which are known to suffer from heat in our area. My vet has told me the worst breeds (least tolerant of heat extreme) are bulldogs, mastiffs and pyrenees.) Scotties are the toughest little dogs I know! But they are not built to live outside in 100 degree summers! I keep mine in a pretty short between April and October! The bigger issue here is that Scotties need human attention and left to their own devices will get over protective and not be very friendly with others in general, human or animals.

lbollengier - 12/17/2010 4:15:46 PM

There are 2 problems with this - 1) Scottish terriers are built for life in the british isles, where it is cold and wet half of the year or more - a scottie, especially one with dark fur, would totally roast outside in a Texas summer. 2) Scotties are not a breed which can live outside, away from the family pack. The dog will quickly become depressed and express bad behavior. If you want a dog that will do well living outside all the time, a scottie is NOT for you.

melodie.chastain - 12/1/2010 5:04:34 PM

QUESTION: I have a dog that is part Scottish Terrior and I was wondering, are they supposed to have fur that looks like a little beard, or is it okay to be trimmed?

Anonymous - 11/10/2010 6:02:08 PM

Respond to Question

Scottish Terriors do have a little beard You can trim them any way you like,but if they have a long face you might want to keep it. I think it looks better that way, but you know what's going to make your dog look the cutest.

Anonymous - 12/9/2010 6:18:21 PM

QUESTION: What is the optimal weight for a Scottish Terrier?

Anonymous - 10/31/2010 8:37:22 PM

Respond to Question

I have a 6 year old scotty. We have always fed him good quality food and the recommended amount. He is a very healthy 30 lbs.

Anonymous - 5/15/2011 4:59:15 PM

Todays Scottie will be quite varied. The AKC says 19 - 23 lbs however I have tried in my breeding program to keep them at or below that standard. I have friends with gorgeous Scots that are near up to 30 lbs. I have 3 little females that are between 15 and 17 lbs.

lbollengier - 12/17/2010 4:07:26 PM

Depending upon whether your Scottish Terrier is a male or female, weight can range between 18 and 28 lbs. I have a 19 lb female (she's very small and lightly built) and a big strong 30 lb male.

melodie.chastain - 12/1/2010 5:05:43 PM

QUESTION: How long is a Scottish Terriers life span?

Anonymous - 10/22/2010 11:11:34 PM

Respond to Question

We just lost our Scottie last week and he was 11. He did have thyroid disease and had liver issues. He was a wonderful dog that did well with our three boys. They are a wonderful breed.

Anonymous - 7/14/2011 7:06:41 PM

Scotties have an average life span of 11 - 13 years. I have lost 2 at 11 and currently have 2 older ones 11 & 13 who are doing great. I believe they should be fed well and that will help them live longer... Cheap grocery store brands will not help your Scottie live a long life.

lbollengier - 12/17/2010 4:05:30 PM

My first Scottie was a sweet male. I had him for sixteen wonderful years. My second was a precious female and I lost her at 10 to kidney failure.

Anonymous - 11/15/2010 12:36:12 AM

A Scottish Terriers life span is about 10 years

Anonymous - 10/29/2010 10:29:03 PM

If you are looking for Scottish Terrier puppies for sale from reputable Scottish Terrier breeders or to adopt a Scottish Terrier from a Scottish Terrier rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Scottish Terrier puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Scottish Terrier puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.