GROUP 2 - TERRIERS

Brief History
The Scottish Terrier can be traced back to the late 1800’s. Their low stature and wiry coat have always been important characteristics relating to the original purpose of the breed, which was to drive out the vermin that made life hard for the early Scottish farmers and crofters. The Scottie dog was developed with exceptional strength and courage in a compact, tough package. These traits are still the hallmarks of the breed today.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 10 – 12 years.

Temperament
The Scottie, said to be like their fellow countrymen, can be rather dour.  They know that life is serious and is to be met with dignity.  They are courageous, alert, wilful and no nonsense, not always demonstrative with their emotions, however, their devotion and loyalty to family is boundless. Scotties are natural born fighters who will stand their ground and rarely be seen retreating from trouble.  Scotties can adjust to respectful children, but careful introduction will be necessary.

General Breed Description
Scotties are small and square in appearance. Definitely not light for their size, they are short-legged, thick-set and muscular. They do have great power and activity in a small compass. They have pricked ears and their long heads are finished with a beard. Their tails are set at twelve o’clock. They are very agile and active dogs in spite of their short legs. Scotties come in various colours ranging from black, brindle (black brindle, silver brindle, red brindle) to wheaten. They have a double coat with a soft undercoat and a harsh, coarse, topcoat. 

Coat and Care Requirements
Being double coated, the Scottie will shed little hair and thus are good dogs for those with allergies.  A good brush at least twice weekly along with a clip or strip every 8 to 12 weeks will be required. Daily walks on lead of 30 minutes are ideal.  The Scottie needs a securely fenced yard as well as access to his family in the house. Scotties should be walked on lead as they will not back down if larger dogs threaten. Their hunting instinct may result in him giving chase to another creature in front of a car. Scotties love a ball game. Because of their short legs, the Scottie is not a swimmer, and many have drowned in pools and dams. Breeders avoid placing their pups in homes with pools or other bodies of water.  

Size
Height: 25 to 28cms (10 to 11ins).

Weight: 8.5 to 10.5kgs. 

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does.

Suitability
The Scottie should adapt to any environment with the right introduction, care and attention. The exception is anywhere your Scottie could drown! Being an active dog, they require daily exercise, but being short-legged, a 30-minute walk will suffice. Due to their devotion to their owners, they are ideally suited to a single person or couple. They can be very good pets to families, providing they have had the right introduction. As with all dogs, it is recommended that a child is never left unsupervised when with a dog.  Due to their dignified and no-nonsense nature, a Scottie is unlikely to tolerate the level of poking and prodding that badly trained children can inflict.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/55