Scottish Terrier

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
Some outdoor space
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Moderate
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Ms Nerida Clarke (Ourscot)

nerida@aol.com.au
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History

The exact origin of the Scottish Terrier is unknown. All that is known is that a Terrier on short legs with a rough coat existed in the Western Highlands of Scotland and the Islands of the Hebrides. This Terrier evolved into the Scottish Terrier, the Skye Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the Cairn Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier. In 1879 the Scottish Terrier was officially recognised as a separate breed and the first Scottish Terriers were imported into Australia in 1889.

The breed was used to control farm and estate vermin such as badgers and foxes and was selected by farmers for its gameness and hunting ability. Scotties are often referred to as ‘diehard’.

Characteristics

The Scottish Terrier was bred for independent hunting. When it went down the burrow to face a badger, there were no humans to give directions so the breed had to be intelligent. This independence can be mistaken for being reserved and stubborn, but the Scottish Terrier is extremely loyal, faithful, courageous and highly intelligent. The Scottish Terrier is thick set with short legs, not conducive to speed. However, it is very agile and active.

The Scottish Terrier’s long eyebrows and beard protect it when underground and often, when vermin attack, they got a mouthful of hair instead of inflicting a wound on the dog.

Temperament

The Scottish Terrier is alert and active. As a Terrier, it will pounce on anything that makes a sudden movement, whether it is a mouse or a ball. In past times, it has been described as the ‘Dour Scot’. Careful breeding has developed the Scottish Terrier into a fun-loving, friendly, loyal and loving companion.

Maintenance

The breed’s coat is a double one: outer is harsh, dense and wiry; undercoat short and soft. It can be black, wheaten, brindle of a mixture of black, brown and wheaten hair. The average coat grows profusely and requires regular brushing with a hard bristle brush and comb through the coat to the skin.

Pet Scottish Terriers should be trimmed using clippers and scissors about four times a year. Show dogs’ coats are hand stripped to maintain the harsh double coat, and this is usually required two or three times a year.

Health

The Scottish Terrier is fortunate to have few serious genetic problems. Some shared genetic problems seen occasionally are Von Willebrand’s Disease, a common bleeding disorder now being carefully managed by genetic testing, Cushing’s Disease, and the rarely seen Scottie Crap – the loss of muscle control and coordination when the dog becomes over excited. Once rested, the breed recovers quickly. The most common health issue is being overweight due to over eating and too little exercise!

Suitability

The Scottish Terrier is a hardy, adaptable, small dog suitable for both house and apartment living. It is not an overactive dog and requires minimal exercise – a half-hour walk a few times a week is quite enough.

While generally dependable with very young children, the breed probably suits an older family. It can be very protective, making it an ideal companion. Since the breed is highly intelligent, it requires consistent training or else it will try to become the boss.

Words: Jules Mayne, Della Elliot, Ian Southwick and Karen Fergusson on behalf of the Scottish Terrier Club Inc

Image: Michael Trafford Photography

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Scottish Terrier, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Scottish Terrier and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 14 Sep 2011)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Thick-set, of suitable size to go to ground, which would preclude dogs of excessive body weight, Short-legged, alert in carriage and suggestive of great power and activity in small compass. Head gives the impression of being long for size of dog. Very agile and active in spite of short legs.

Characteristics

Loyal and faithful. Dignified, independent and reserved, but courageous and highly intelligent.

Temperament

Bold, but never aggressive.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Long without being out of proportion to size of dog. Length of skull enabling it to be fairly wide and yet retain narrow appearance. Skull nearly flat and cheekbones not protruding. Foreface strongly constructed and deep throughout. Skull and foreface of equal length. Slight but distinct stop between skull and foreface just in front in front of eye. Nose large, black, and in profile, the line from nose to chin appears to slope backwards.
Eyes	Almond-shaped, dark brown, fairly wide apart, well set under eyebrows with keen, intelligent expression.
Ears	Neat, fine texture, pointed, erect and set on top of skull but not too close together. Large, wide-based ears highly undesirable.
Mouth	Teeth large with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Muscular and of moderate length.
Forequarters	Head carried on muscular neck of moderate length showing quality, set into long sloping shoulder, brisket well in front of straight, well boned forelegs to straight pasterns. Chest fairly broad and hung between forelegs which must not be out at the elbow nor placed under body.
Body	Well rounded ribs flattening to deep chest and carried well back. Back proportionately short and very muscular. Topline of body straight and level, loin muscular and deep, powerfully coupling ribs to hindquarters.
Hindquarters	Remarkably powerful for size of dog. Big, wide buttocks, deep thighs and well bent stifles. Hocks short, strong, turning neither in nor out.
Feet	Good size, well padded, toes well arched and close knit, forefeet slightly larger than hindfeet.
Tail	Moderate length giving general balance to dog, thick at root and tapering towards tip. Set on with upright carriage or slight bend.
Gait/Movement	Smooth and free, straight both back and front with drive from behind and level gait throughout.
Coat	Close lying, double coat; undercoat short, dense and soft; outer coat harsh, dense and wiry, together making a weather-resisting covering.
Colour	Black, wheaten or brindle of any shade.
Size	Height: 25-28 cms (10-11 ins) at withersWeight: 8.5-10.5 kgs (19-23 lbs).

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.