The Scottish Terrier ranks at number 57 out of 197 of the most popular dog breeds in the AKC (American Kennel Club). Scotties are not big dogs and grow to less than twelve inches high. They can weigh up to twenty-two pounds (providing they are not obese). They are an incredibly popular dog worldwide, especially in the UK.
Scottish Terrier History
As we know him today, the Scottish Terrier was a descendant of the Scotch Terrier, as was the Dandie Dinmont, the West Highland White, and the Cairn; unfortunately, the Scotch Terrier is no longer with us.
Exactly how these Terriers came about is a bit of a mystery; a dog of the Scottish Terrier’s description does seem to date back to Roman times.
Initially, the Scottie was known as the Aberdeen Terrier because they mostly came from the area around the city of Aberdeen in Scotland. By 1859 they were being shown in the ring as the Aberdeen Terrier until 1879, a Captain Gordon Murray changed their name to Scottish Terrier.
The Scottish Terrier’s breeding was initially a hunter of the variety of wildlife affecting the crofters and small farmers’ livelihoods from centuries past to probably the last 60 or 70 years ago; that being foxes, weasels, badgers, rats, and mice.
Life was exceptionally harsh for the small farmer. Any loss of their animals would severely affect their survival; they needed a dog wiry, rugged, and intelligent enough to work on his own initiative, skills that the Scottie still has in abundance.
Scottish Terrier Personality
Scottish Terriers have an impressive personality, and it’s not to everyone’s taste, in the sense of what they think they want from their dog.
Scotties are their own dog; they are independent and have a fractious nature. As young dogs, they can be excitable, but as they mature into adulthood, Scotties can turn fussy.
Most Scotties tend to be close to one person in the family; that’s not to say they don’t love the other members because they are devoted to the entire family, but generally, one person captures their heart more than the others.
Scottish Terriers are not known for their patience where young children are concerned and can be quite snappy. It’s advisable to think twice before adopting a Scottie when there are toddlers or young children in the family. With older children, they can be fine as long as the children are taught respect for the dog and how to behave around them.
Being of an independent disposition, they don’t demand total attention twenty-fours a day from their human family, and they can be a handful to train. But they can be a good choice for a first-time owner as long as the owner is firm but patient and there are no young children around.
Positive treat-based training is the way to go, but patience is obligatory, and they need firm handling, not cruel or unkind; a Scotty does not respond well to that treatment.
If this sounds like a personality you aren’t going to get along with, it’s advisable to choose another dog breed. You will not be able to bend a Scottie to your way of thinking; a Scottish Terrier is a strong independent personality.
Early socialization is necessary to get to know sights and sounds, other people, and animals. Scotties have a high prey drive and will chase small animals if they are not socialized enough. Even then, it might be best not to leave them unsupervised with small pets.
Scottish Terrier Care
Depending on the owner’s preference, a Scottie’s coat can be cropped short or left to grow long. If you’re not adept with the clippers, then a monthly visit to the groomers will be necessary. Even if you’re happy to let the coat grow out, you will still need to trim the hair on his paws, head, and tail.
Scottish Terriers are not exercise hounds and shouldn’t get too much. However, like all dogs, they need to get the heart and blood pumping at least for ten or fifteen minutes each day. Plus, they want to see something of the world around them, so they’ll enjoy a nice walk around the neighborhood every day.
Their breeding gives them a propensity for digging, so if you leave them in the backyard on their own for too long, you might find your flowerbeds are no longer recognizable.
Conclusion
The Scottish Terrier is an independent character and can be challenging to train in the wrong hands. They don’t take too kindly to young children but get along with older ones.
They are devoted family dogs but tend to gravitate to one family member more than the others. Excitable when young, as they grow older, they can become a little bit dour.
#chihulife #dogs #scottishterrier #terrier
1 Comment
Scotties are the best! They are wonderful with young children as well as older ones. Socialization is the key when getting a Scottie. Independent, and very loving, you can’t go wrong with the Scottish terrier.