Scottish Terrier: Complete Guide to Traits, Care, Nutrition and Health
The Scottish Terrier (also known as "Scottie") is one of Scotland's oldest Highland terrier breeds. Originally bred for hunting small game (rats, badgers, foxes) in rugged terrain. With their independent, confident, determined, bold, and loyal personality and characteristic appearance (long beard, eyebrows, wiry coat), they are a well-recognized breed. This comprehensive guide provides all essential information for prospective and current Scottish Terrier owners.
1. Breed Profile and Physical Characteristics
- Origin: Scotland; one of the oldest Highland terrier breeds, originally bred for hunting small game (rats, badgers, foxes) in rugged terrain. A classic representative of the terrier group.
- Temperament: Independent, confident, determined, bold, loyal, often serious, attached to family, reserved or suspicious with strangers, strong hunting instincts, stubborn but intelligent.
- Energy Level: Moderate; requires daily walks (leashed) and play for mental stimulation. Typically around an hour or so split between walks and games.
- Lifespan: Average 10-13 years, can live longer depending on genetics and care.
2. Size, Weight and Physical Features
| Feature | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 8-10 kg (18-22 lbs) | Males: 19-22 lbs, females: 18-21 lbs |
| Height | 25-28 cm (10-11 inches) | Shoulder height |
| Body Structure | Compact, short legs, sturdy build | |
| Head | Long beard, prominent eyebrows, strong jaw structure | |
| Ears | Small, erect, pointed tips | |
| Tail | Medium length, carried vertically | |
| Coat Structure | Double coat: hard wiry outer coat, soft dense undercoat | |
Coat Colors and Features: Hard wiry outer coat and soft dense undercoat. Colors: solid black, black-and-tan brindle, red brindle, wheaten, silver or dark grays. Long beard, eyebrows, and leg hair care important.
3. Pricing and Lifetime Costs
- Puppy Price (US): $1,200 – $3,500 from registered, health-screened, genetic-tested, show-quality breeders. Europe: €1,000 – €3,200; other regions vary.
- Monthly Care Costs: $145 – $250 for small-medium breed quality dog food, veterinary care, coat care products (may require hand stripping/clipping), toys.
- First Year Investments: Equipment (bed, collar, leash, toys) ($300-380), initial veterinary checkups and vaccinations ($360-500), spay/neuter ($430-680), coat care equipment and hand stripping/clipping ($230-280).
- Annual Health Expenses: $620 – $1,700/year (routine checkups, cancer screening - especially bladder cancer, Von Willebrand testing, joint monitoring, preparation for potential health issues).
4. Nutrition Strategy and Diet Planning
Since Scottish Terrier is a sturdy small-medium breed dog, high-quality foods appropriate for life stage should be used. Despite sturdy build, weight gain is easy, which can add strain to joints, portion control is critical.
4.1 Daily Nutrient Distribution
| Nutrient Group | Amount/Percentage | Quality Sources | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 22-28% (calories) | Chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, quality animal sources | Required for muscle health and overall health |
| Fat | 14-18% (calories) | Fish oil, chicken fat, vegetable oils | Energy source, omega-3 fatty acids |
| Carbohydrates | 40-50% (calories) | Oats, rice, sweet potato, vegetables | Fiber source, low glycemic index preferred |
| Calorie Requirement | Based on activity level | Should be determined with veterinarian | 350-500 kcal/day for 9 kg Scottish Terrier (average), weight control critical |
| Meal Frequency | 2-3 meals per day | Puppies: 3 meals, adults: 2 meals | Regular feeding, portion control |
Feeding Schedule: Puppy stage: 3 meals daily, puppy dog foods. Adult stage: 2 meals daily, quality dog food (appropriate for life stage), portion control (should be adjusted according to activity level), treat limiting (for weight management).
4.2 Special Nutrition Requirements
- Life Stage Appropriate Food: Special formula foods for puppy, adult, and senior stages should be used. Should cover protein, fat, vitamin, and mineral requirements.
- Weight Control: Despite sturdy build, weight gain is easy, which can add strain to joints. Portion sizes should be monitored, treats limited, and adjusted according to activity level. Regular weight monitoring critical.
- Dental Health: Scottish Terriers are prone to dental disease. Daily brushing and regular professional cleanings recommended. Chewing toys and dental-specific foods or treats may be used.
- Avoid: Overfeeding, free-feeding, excessive treats, foods toxic to dogs (chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol).
5. Housing and Living Space
5.1 Living Space Requirements
- Apartment/House Living: Scottish Terrier adapts well to apartment or house living. Compatible with small living spaces due to compact size, but requires daily walks and play.
- Indoor Living: Indoor dog, not suited for outdoor living. Loves being with family.
- Social Needs: Forms strong bonds with family, may be reserved or suspicious with strangers, early socialization important.
5.2 Environmental Conditions
- Hunting Instincts: Should be careful in unleashed open areas due to strong hunting instincts. Tendency to chase small animals.
- Digging Tendency: May have digging tendency due to terrier nature, should be careful in homes with yards.
- Ideal Temperature: Indoor temperature should be maintained between 18-24°C, should be protected from extreme heat and cold.
6. Care and Grooming
6.1 Coat Care
- Brushing: Brushing 1-2 times per week required due to hard wiry coat structure, especially in beard, eyebrows, and legs for mat prevention. Regular brushing maintains coat health.
- Hand Stripping or Clipping: Hand stripping (manual hair plucking) or clipping (cutting) should be done every 6-8 weeks. This process helps maintain hard wiry coat texture and appearance. Should be done by professional groomer.
- Shedding: Moderate shedding due to double coat structure, can be controlled with regular brushing and care.
- Bathing: Occasional baths may be done, but frequent baths should be avoided as they can strip natural oils. Hard wiry coat structure should be cleaned as needed.
6.2 Other Care Requirements
- Ear Care: Ears should be checked and cleaned regularly. May have ear infection predisposition, especially with allergies. Regular check and cleaning as needed.
- Dental Care: Scottish Terriers are prone to dental disease. Daily brushing and regular professional cleanings recommended. Chewing toys and dental-specific foods or treats may be used.
- Nail Care: Trim every few weeks, regular nail care recommended.
- Beard and Eyebrow Care: Long beard and eyebrows should be cleaned and brushed regularly, especially after meals.
7. Activity and Exercise
Scottish Terrier has moderate energy level. Requires daily walks (leashed) and play.
- Daily Walks: Requires at least 30-60 minutes daily walks (leashed) and play. Typically around an hour or so split between walks and games sufficient.
- Indoor Games: Puzzle toys, hidden treat toys, tug-of-war, ball games.
- Mental Stimulation: Mental stimulation very important: puzzle toys, training activities, interactive games. Without outlets, can develop behavioral problems.
- Avoid: Unleashed release in open areas (due to hunting instincts), excessive intense activity, activities that encourage digging behavior.
8. Health Management and Common Issues
8.1 Common Health Problems
- Scottie Cramp: Neuromuscular disorder that manifests in young dogs under stress or excitement; causes spasms, arching of back, abnormal gait. Non-progressive, usually manageable. Signs: contractions under stress, arching in rear section, abnormal gait.
- Von Willebrand's Disease (VWD): Clotting disorder; dogs may show excessive bleeding from minor injuries. Can be detected with genetic testing. Critical to test before surgery.
- Patellar Luxation (Kneecap Dislocation): Common in small breeds, kneecap slipping out of place. Severity varies, surgery may be required in severe cases. Early diagnosis important.
- Allergies and Skin/Ear Problems: Atopy (environmental allergies) often affects skin, paws, and ears; regular coat care and veterinary care critical. Signs: itching, skin redness, ear infections.
- Cancer: Scottish Terriers are predisposed to certain types of tumors, especially bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma), lymphoma, mast cell tumors. Regular mass checks, urinary signs monitoring critical. Regular veterinary checkups recommended for cancer screening.
- Liver Shunts (Portosystemic): May occur in some individuals, may be congenital. Genetic screening important.
- Cushing's Disease: May occur in some Scottish Terriers, hormonal disorder. Veterinary check required.
- Eye Disorders: Some eye problems may occur, some are congenital. Regular eye check recommended.
- Obesity: Weight gain easy despite sturdy build, weight control critical.
8.2 Lifetime Health Schedule
- Puppy Stage: First veterinary checkup, vaccination program (6-8 weeks), Von Willebrand test, joint check (patellar luxation screening), genetic screening, early socialization.
- Adult Stage: Annual comprehensive examination, cancer screening (especially bladder cancer - urine analysis, mass checks), joint monitoring, weight monitoring, dental check, allergy monitoring.
- Senior Stage: Exams every 6 months (for senior dogs), extra attention to cancer signs (especially bladder cancer), joint health, monitoring aging signs.
8.3 Preventive Care Protocols
- Daily Check: Appetite, energy level, breathing, skin condition, weight, urinary signs (for bladder cancer), mass checks.
- Regular Brushing: 1-2 times per week, mat prevention, coat health.
- Hand Stripping/Clipping: Every 6-8 weeks, to maintain hard wiry coat texture.
- Weight Control: Regular weight monitoring, portion control, treat limiting (should be adjusted according to activity level).
- Cancer Screening: Regular mass checks, urinary signs monitoring (for bladder cancer), regular veterinary checkups.
- Dental Care: Daily brushing, regular professional cleanings.
9. Training and Socialization
- Early Socialization: Very important! Exposure to different people, animals, and environments during puppy stage, reducing shyness and suspicion with strangers. Scottish Terriers may be reserved or suspicious with strangers, early socialization critical.
- Basic Commands: Basic commands such as sit, stay, come, no, positive reinforcement method. Can be stubborn, but intelligent, consistency important.
- House Training: Requires patience and consistency, early training important.
- Positive Reinforcement: Reward-based training (treats, praise), Scottish Terriers work well with positive reinforcement. Consistency important: rules, schedules (for feeding, bathroom, behavior).
- Managing Hunting Instincts: Tendency to chase small animals due to strong hunting instincts. Can be managed with leashed walking and early training.
- Digging Tendency: May have digging tendency due to terrier nature, appropriate redirection and alternative activities should be provided.
10. Compatibility with Children and Other Animals
- With Children: Gets along well with children with early socialization and supervision. Often exhibits serious personality, but loyal to family. Gentle behavior important.
- With Other Dogs: Can get along well with other dogs with early socialization, but may be reserved or suspicious with unfamiliar dogs.
- With Cats and Other Animals: May not be compatible with small animals (cats, rodents, birds) due to strong hunting instincts. Early introduction and socialization required, should be careful.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Scottish Terriers live?
Average 10-13 years. Can live longer depending on genetics and care.
Is care difficult?
Moderately difficult. Brushing 1-2 times per week required due to hard wiry coat structure, and hand stripping/clipping every 6-8 weeks. Professional groomer support recommended.
Are they good with children?
Gets along well with children with early socialization and supervision. Often exhibits serious personality, but loyal to family.
How much exercise do they need?
Requires at least 30-60 minutes daily walks (leashed) and play. Typically around an hour or so split between walks and games sufficient.
Why is weight control critical?
Weight gain easy despite sturdy build, which can add strain to joints. Excess weight can worsen joint problems (patellar luxation) and affect overall health.
What are the most common health problems?
Scottie Cramp, Von Willebrand's Disease (clotting disorder), Patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation), Allergies and skin/ear problems, Cancer (especially bladder cancer, lymphoma, mast cell tumors), Liver shunts, Cushing's disease, eye disorders. Regular veterinary checkups, cancer screening, and genetic screening critical.
12. Conclusion and Recommendations
The Scottish Terrier, one of Scotland's oldest Highland terrier breeds, is a well-recognized breed with its independent, confident, determined, bold, and loyal personality and characteristic appearance (long beard, eyebrows, wiry coat). With proper nutrition (life stage appropriate diet, weight control critical), regular coat care (brushing 1-2 times per week, hand stripping/clipping every 6-8 weeks), dental care, regular exercise (30-60 minutes/day), regular veterinary care, cancer screening (especially bladder cancer), and genetic screening (Von Willebrand, patellar luxation), your Scottish Terrier will enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life. Before adopting this breed, it is important to understand the breed's special care requirements (hard wiry coat care, hand stripping/clipping, cancer risk - especially bladder cancer, Von Willebrand risk, hunting instincts, stubborn nature). Choosing a genetic-tested, health-screened puppy from a responsible breeder (health clearances for Von Willebrand test, joint checks, etc.) and preparing your home environment according to the dog's needs is critical. May not be compatible with small animals due to strong hunting instincts, but can be made compatible with early socialization and training.
