Scottish Terrier

Scottish Terrier
History:

Country/Date of Origin: Scotland/1800s

The Scottie is one of the oldest purebred terriers native to the British Isles. For generations it was bred as an "earth dog" to roust foxes and other vermin out of underground dens. The word "terrier" stems from the Latin word "terra" meaning earth and reflects the early work of the little tykes. Type was standardized in the 1880s and the Scottie was immensely popular as a working ratter in the US. It was one of the founding breeds of the American Kennel Club.

 Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns

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Aberdeen Terrier

AKC Group: Terrier

Breed Club: Scottish Terrier Club of America

Rescue Club: Scottish Terrier Club of America Rescue

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Body Type:

  • A short legged terrier with an elongated head decorated by long eyebrows and lavish whiskers. Should give the impression of great power in a compact body
  • Height: 10-11 inches (at shoulder)
  • Weight: 19-23 pounds
  • Thick tail, carried erect with a slight curve, is not altered
  • Erect ears are not altered

Personality:

  • Independent and self assured characters
  • Dour and stubborn. Trying to train a Scottie can be a real contest of wills
  • Tend to be one-person dogs

Coat:

  • Hard, wiry, double coat
  • Must be professionally groomed
  • Contrary to public opinion the Scottie is not always black. There are ten acceptable colors including brindle, gray, sandy and wheaten

Health Concerns:

  • Bleeding disorder known as von Willebrand's disease
  • Bladder and kidney stones
  • Muscular cramps
  • Mange and skin allergies
  • Craniomandibular osteopathy
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Tasty Tidbits:
  • Known to be diggers
  • Do not refer to this dog as the Scotch Terrier. Scottish is the correct word to use for things that originate in Scotland. The exception to this is the alcoholic elixir of the Celts, which can be referred to as Scotch
  • Scotties can be excessive barkers
  • The most famous Scottie in America was Fala, the beloved pet of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
  • The Scottie or Aberdeen Terrier, as he called his pets, have been immortalized in the writings of Rudyard Kipling. Look for Thy Servant a Dog or His Apologies for good reading about the breed