Scottish Terrier (Scotch Terrier)

You don’t have to wear a tuxedo and smoke a cigar to be a true gentleman. The most important thing is to behave in accordance with this honorary title, and, of course, to be from Foggy Albion. The Scottish Terrier meets all these requirements, he is a true gentleman of the canine world.

History of origin

Small “stretched format” terriers have been known in Great Britain since the Middle Ages. They were used to hunt burrowing game: badgers, foxes and even rats. A distinctive feature of these dogs was the maximum unpretentiousness and the ability to live in the rather harsh nature of Scotland. Purposeful selection in order to fix some specific external features in the breed, people have taken up relatively recently. Prior to this, hunting dogs were valued exclusively for their working qualities. So gradually, the ancestors of Scottish Terriers, originally called Aberdeen, developed a hard coat that protected them from injury in narrow holes, a long body on short legs, intelligence and a fearless character.

These funny dogs acquired their final appearance only at the end of the XNUMXth century, all in the same England, or rather, Scotland, where a club of Scottish terrier lovers was even organized.

Today Scotties – and this is how this breed is commonly called – are less and less used as hunting dogs, but they have gained worldwide fame as wonderful friends and companions, and the small size of these dogs makes them convenient for keeping in city apartments. Fans of Scottish terriers were at different times Roosevelt, Mayakovsky and Bush Jr.

In our country, love for Scotch Terriers is also strong, moreover, this is one of the breeds that were quite popular back in Soviet times thanks to the circus dog Klyaksa, who performed with the clown Karandash, beloved by all Soviet children.

Breed description

Despite its small height (at the withers no higher than 28 cm), the Scottish Terrier does not give the impression of a small one, rather, it looks like a large dog (for example, a Giant Schnauzer) set on short legs. He has a powerful long body, a large head, which seems larger due to the colorful beard, and sharp erect ears. In general, Scotty’s muzzle resembles the face of an elderly professor: a goatee and a serious look from under hanging bushy eyebrows.

The tail is thick, set high, held up, paws are short, but large and powerful.

The coat is coarse, hard, 2 times a year needs trimming, which leaves the length on the underside of the body, which is why the coat almost completely hides the paws, and on the muzzle (“beard”). The most common color, which is the hallmark of the breed, is solid black, but wheat, brindle, spotted, white and others are also acceptable.

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Character

Don’t let the funny look and small size of Scottish Terriers fool you, these are serious dogs with the character of English aristocrats: restrained, thoughtful and reasonable. As befits true gentlemen, they are extremely honest with their master and straightforward. The Scotties love their home very much and are having a hard time moving around. Due to the seriousness of their nature, they are not suitable for a large family or newlyweds. Ideal for them is an elderly couple or a single person – in this case, the best friend is simply not found. These dogs are so devoted to their master that they are ready to protect him to the last drop of blood. At the same time, strangers are distrustful and even quarrelsome. Perhaps they will not bite strangers, but with all their appearance they will show that they are not at all happy with the guests. Arriving at the house where the Scotch Terrier lives, most likely, you will read on his face “You were not expected here.”

At the same time, Scotties are very mobile and active, so they are happy to have the opportunity to take a walk – and the more the better.

Care and maintenance

Scottish Terriers are very comfortable dogs for a city apartment. They are small and, most importantly, practically do not shed. However, their coat deserves care and attention: it must be combed with a brush, paying special attention to their pride – a beard, and trimmed twice a year so that the dog does not turn into a kind of old rope mop.

The most important requirement for maintenance are long walks. Despite their small stature, Scotties are very strong and hardy dogs, so it is vital for them to be able to run in nature several times a day. Especially these terriers like to fetch objects or wear a sling. They will happily carry both your bag and an ordinary stick in their teeth – the main thing is that the dog moves a lot and is, so to speak, at work. Otherwise, the dog will become depressed, and the unspent energy will be used to destroy the apartment.

Education and training

In this matter, you need to show patience and perseverance. Like all hunting dogs, Scotch Terriers are quite stubborn. With enviable perseverance, they will prove to you their opinion and the right to independent decisions. So from the very childhood, begin to educate the puppy in the concept of subordination, using for this not rudeness, but even greater perseverance. He is stubborn and you are more stubborn, he is patient and you are even more patient. And then everything will work out. But in no case should you include emotions in the process of training – dogs very subtly feel your irritation and insecurity. Be consistent and persistent. Pay special attention to the command “come” because these hunters tend to go about their business.

Also, do not forget about their misanthropy, so from the very childhood explain to your friend that other people and animals are friends.

Health and disease

Scotties are very unpretentious dogs, adapted to the harsh Scottish climate, so their health cannot be called weak. Of the most common diseases, problems with the stomach and liver due to malnutrition can be noted. One breed disease, the so-called “Scotty cramp” or “convulsions of Scottish terriers”, can be mentioned, but it almost does not occur in the dogs of our country.

The features of this breed include low fertility. As a rule, bitches give birth to 3, less often 4 puppies, often the birth is difficult, so you can’t do without the help of a veterinarian. That is why the Scottish Terrier is a rather rare breed, because very few of them are born.

Otherwise, Scottish Terriers suffer from the same diseases as other dogs, many of which can be avoided if vaccinated on time. Also, do not neglect the prevention of fleas and ticks.

Word to the breeder

She shared her joy from communicating with Scotch Terriers with us breeder of the nursery “Sunny Beam ot SofiiEleny”, Moscow Elena Eliseeva: “The Scottish Terrier is not without reason called a “big dog in a small package”, because it is really a big dog both in character and strength, but devoid of all the shortcomings associated with size. And in general, as for me, Scotties are completely devoid of flaws, unless, of course, they are spoiled by poor education. I see only merit in them. Firstly, it is wool, which does not cause any inconvenience at all, because these dogs practically do not shed. Secondly, they rarely bark and express their emotions in an extremely restrained and intelligent way. And, of course, the most important thing is their amazing energy. Cattlemen save their owners from depression and despondency, give them optimism and are ready to support them in any, even the most difficult situation.”

And here are some beautiful words about his friend Gulden Big Fire, and in common parlance – Gulyash (from the word “walk”) wrote Muscovite Sergei Popkov (sadly, his dog passed away a few years ago): “We love them because they carelessly and endlessly love us. Because with their help, when they are in our lives, we can try to imagine paradise… This, however, is about any dogs. And about Scotch I would write that these are big dogs in a small body, with a gentleman’s heart and a stern character under a clown’s guise. It’s a wonderful state to be with them! I especially like that the people who met Gulyasha and me began to smile. And the elderly, remembering the Pencil and the Blot, and the younger ones, who did not know them.

Well, about courage and absolute fearlessness – the absolute truth! Goulash protected me several times from stray packs! Once we were walking along the boulevard, and quite unexpectedly, first “scouts” jumped out from behind the bushes, and then the whole “team” of motley vagrants surrounded us. I already thought – everything, now we will fight. But then a hefty pack leader with a severed tail and torn ears came out. They stood nose to nose with Gulden and, looking into each other’s eyes, began to growl in their guts, snarling. Spectacle, I must say, even then! I don’t know what they were “grinding” about, but suddenly the leader abruptly turned around and took the whole gang behind him. And Gulden squinted at me with a squint and busily trotted along the boulevard. This scene was observed, dumbfounded, by some young father with his son. And so, when everything ended in this way, dad says to his son: “You see, you can be small, but very brave.”

Breeder of the Belarusian kennel “Arsen Twist” Tatiana Styopa says: “I got my first dog of the Scottish Terrier breed in 1996, and since then I have not changed it. The kennel already has the fifth generation of dogs with the prefix Arsen Twist (kennel graduates live in Our Country, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Sweden, USA, Japan).

The character of Scotty is very satisfied – dogs of this breed are balanced, they know how to adapt to the lifestyle of the owner, unobtrusive in communication, but they are always nearby and control the situation.

Terrier temperament is manifested in the ability to assess the situation and draw independent conclusions. This is not a servant dog, but a companion dog, with scotch tape can only be negotiated with mutual consent and respect. Drill and strict limits are not suitable for education from childhood.

It is important to me that Scottish Terriers are in excellent health (my dogs eat species-typical), and visits to veterinary clinics are mainly limited to preventive examinations.

Ekaterina Sutulova, breeder of the Moscow kennel “Varendzhi” also shared her love for Scotch Terriers with Healthy Food Near Me: “This is Individuality, Personality, Gentleman, Philosopher! The perfect combination of the best characteristics of large breeds, but in a compact, small size.

Scotties – by nature they will become your mirror image in a dog form. If you are perfect in your behavior, he is perfect too!

But it is worth remembering that the Scottish Terrier is not a toy for a child. You don’t need to get a puppy for children under 5 years old at least, until there is no way to convey responsibility to the child in games, understanding that the child can harm, and scotch tape to stand up for yourself in case of offense and pain. Since at this size, Scotch’s teeth are like those of a decent Doberman, understand the consequences for yourself.

There are Scots who adore children and let them do whatever they want with them: they play and are happy from the children’s society of any age interval, but … there are also “dislikes of children from birth” – everything is individual.

Popular questions and answers

We asked to answer questions about the content of Scotch Terriers zoo engineer, veterinarian Anastasia Kalinina.