The Scottish Terrier is a courageous little dog. They are often considered one of the oldest dog breeds in Scotland, but the exact ways the breed was developed are unclear. The first official draft of the Scottish Terrier traits was created in the 1880s. From then on, they had a name and standard looks for the breed. Today, Scotties are great family pets, suited for apartment and country. However, they haven’t lost their ancestors’ DNA, and today’s Scottish Terrier also has a high prey drive.

1. Size

Both female and male dogs are up to 10 inches tall (25 cm). There is a difference in how much they weigh. Males are larger (heavier) than females:

• Male weight: 19 to 22 pounds (8.5 to 10 kg)
• Female weight: 18 to 21 pounds (8 to 9 kg)

The Scottish Terrier body is made for the job – hunting underground. They have short legs and a strong body. Their general appearance is of a quick and strong dog for its size. They also give the impression that their heads are longer than their bodies.

2. Color

The Scottish Terrier comes in three coat colors:

• Black
• Brindle
• Wheaten 

These coat colors can be of any shade. That’s why you can register your dog as a black brindle or silver brindle Scottie. They don’t have any markings or masks.

3. Social Traits

The Scottish Terrier is a loyal and very affectionate dog toward its owners. But, they can be quite reserved when it comes to strangers. This means, you’ll need to put additional attention to habituating and socializing your Scottie from an early age. They’re not aggressive, they are protective. This aloofness is a trait that many terriers share. That’s why they make great watch dogs as well. 

The innate aloofness of Scottish Terriers makes them great watch dogs

Because of this aloofness, they can go well with other dogs, but proper socialization is a must. We want our dogs to grow into confident and calm dogs when they approach a new dog. The same goes with their relationship with children. Scotties are great with children. They are playful and jolly little dogs, but we need to teach them that children outside their family are friends too! No growling or barking. Also, no matter how great and friendly a dog is, we should never leave them alone unsupervised with very young children. Accidents can happen.

Unfortunately, when it comes to other small animals, chances are you won’t be able to “silence” their prey drive. And, in a way, you shouldn’t. That is how we (people) made them and we should work with the prey drive and try to channel it.

Good with children: yes, needs socialization to learn that children outside their inner circle are friends too

Good with other dogs: needs socialization

Good with small animals: no

4. Activity Needs

While the Scottish Terrier is a lively dog, they are not too active. They love the brisk walks and exploration in the local park or outdoors where they can sniff and dig. However, if you live in a city, they require around one hour of daily activities to keep them happy. It is important to give them more than a quick walk. They need to be mentally and physically stimulated to stay healthy and happy. 

Scotties are clever little dogs, and if you don’t give them something to do, they’ll soon turn their boredom into misbehavior. That “something” can be a new interactive dog toy or a game where you hide a treat and they need to find it, preferably somewhere where they can dig. 

Activity needs: around 1 hour a day (suited for both country and city)

5. Trainability

Scottish Terriers are trainable dogs. Don’t get disheartened by some comments you might come across where people say they were quite a handful. Of course, every dog is unique, but generally speaking, Scotties are smart and they quickly learn. However, there’s a catch…

Keep the training fun and versatile. Don’t expect them to obey every command you say. They are not herding dogs, like an Australian Shepherd. The Scottish Terrier needs a bit of independence, and you won’t be able to change that, only accept it. 

To put it simply, they’ll be on their best behavior at home. Especially while indoors, where there are no interesting things to chase. But, you won’t be able to stop them once they go after a potential prey. That’s why keeping them on leash is a must. 

Make sure they can’t dig their way out of the garden, and to keep them on a leash when you go for a walk

Another thing, they like to dig, so having a proper fence is also very important. For dogs who like to dig, the best choice is a stone, vinyl, or flatboard fence.

Trainability: 4 out of 5

Struggle with: recall (when they see something they can chase)

6. Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Scottish Terrier needs from 1 to 1.5 cups of kibble food a day, divided into two meals. So if you feed your dog 1 cup a day, he will need 0.5 in the morning and the other 0.5 in the evening.

Every dog is unique, and your Scottie might need more than 1.5 cups a day. It all depends on how active a dog is. It also depends on a dog’s health, age, and individual preferences. 

An adult Scottish Terrier needs from 1 to 1.5 cups of kibble food a day, divided into two meals

7. Grooming

Scottish Terriers have double medium wiry coats. They require regular grooming. Because of how often they need to be groomed, it is best to start with it when they are very young so that they can get used to the whole process. 

Groomers recommend hand stripping, two times a year, in autumn and spring. Of course, this can be done in between if you see the need. The hand stripping is exactly as it sounds – plucking hair with your fingers. The other option is to use stripping knives or stones. Whatever you choose, hand stripping or tools, you’ll need to do it every 7 to 8 weeks.

Their coats need to be clipped every 7 to 8 weeks, either using tools or doing it by hand

Besides clipping, they also need weekly brushing with a combination of a pin and slicker brush. That way, the coat remains healthy and you help prevent hair from getting on your furniture. Don’t forget regular nail trimmings and an occasional bath.

Shedding: Normal

Brushing: Once a week

Grooming: Clipping once every 7 to 8 weeks

8. Possible Problems

Generally speaking, the Scottish Terrier is a healthy dog breed. However, they too can develop some health issues, such as:

• Joint problems
• Von Willebrand Disease III (Scottish Terrier)
• Allergies 

Responsible breeding is the key in keeping the breed healthy. You can always ask for test results of a breeding pair before getting a puppy. Any responsible breeder will gladly show you the tests they’ve done. 

Life expectancy: over 10 years

Summary

The Scottish Terrier is a playful and confident small dog, something that often goes with all Terrier dogs. They will serve as playmates for the children, they are affectionate, and excellent watchdogs. We already talked about small dogs being guard dogs, and Scottish Terriers are definitely on the list. But, if you plan on having one (or two), don’t forget they need regular grooming, not just brushing to keep them looking their best. And, lastly, you will have to get used to their high prey drive. Even if you manage to channel it, you’ll never be 100% sure they won’t chase a neighbor’s cat.

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Cover photo by Laresa Perlman