Scottish Terriers: The Ultimate Guide
Attributes, Downfalls, How to Get One... and More!
(0-5 Bones)
A generalization. All dogs are individuals. Please read to learn more.
| Trainability |  |
| General Breed Health | |
| Easy Housebreaking | |
| Low Maintenance? | 0 Bones |
| Good w/Other Pets | |
| Good w/small Children | 0 bones |
| Minimal Shedding | |
Watch Dogs A Scottish Terrier makes a great watch dog. You can trust this breed to warn you only when there's a need. The Scottie is not a 'yappy' breed and doesn't bark for the sake of barking.
Size- This breed typically stands about 10" high at the shoulders and weighs around 20 pounds. Apartment life will suit the exercise needs of a Scottie well, but walking him a few times per week will help to keep him happy and well.
Trainability- An early start in training could help your dog grow accustomed to obedience, but consistency while he's a puppy will benefit the both of you as he grows into an older dog. It's especially important with this breed that they receive proper training from an early age. Check out our training page for lots of helpful advice.
Non Shedding- The coats of Scottish Terriers require a lot of care, but they do shed very minimally. Non-shedding does not necessarily imply that they are hypoallergenic.
Learn more about what makes a dog hypoallergenic here. Persons with allergies or asthma should first test their tolerance before making a commitment to own this breed.
Why not consider Adoption First? With the popularity of small dogs increasing, so too has the number of breeders...
To find Scottish Terriers near you in need of rescue, Check petfinder.com, search for a rescue group near you using your favorite search engine or click here for even more ideas on how to find a Scottish Terrier near you in need of rescue.
Your future dog could be waiting.
Scottish Terriers: What To Fear And Other Stuff You Need To Hear
A 15 YEAR + COMMITMENT- Buying or adopting a dog is a commitment to take care of him for his entire lifetime. If you're planning a move or a career or lifestyle change or if you're unsure of your financial ability to feed, vet, groom, house or properly care for another living creature, do the responsible thing (for yourself and the dog) and wait until you're ready.
Excitability and Behavioral Issues- As the demand for this breed increases, so too does the number in need of rescue. This is because puppy mills produce as many litters as possible with no regard for the health or temperament of the breeding stock (and most often these dogs suffer unimaginably). The resulting puppies from these mass breeding operations are more likely to have poor dispositions and undesirable behavioral issues.
Housebreaking difficulties- Small breed dogs are among the hardest dogs to housebreak. You'll need to be very patient and probably clean up several messes in the process of housebreaking this breed. We highly recommend the positive training techniques outlined on our dog training page.
It's true that this breed is strong willed and can be tough to train, but almost any owner will tell you that their dog was well worth it. If you're interested in a Scottie, but the responsibility of training a puppy seems overwhelming, why not consider adoption. Click here to learn all the reasons why adopting an adult dog is the smartest choice.
Separation anxiety is common- A vast majority of dogs of all breeds suffer anxiety when left alone, Scottish Terriers are no exception. Separation anxiety could result in destructive chewing, loud continuous barking or "accidents" on your carpet or furniture. Crating a dog for long hours every day is not a solution. Check out our page on separation anxiety to learn more.
Maintenance Needs-If you're not prepared for or if you're unable to pay for regular professional grooming, a Scottish Terrier is not the breed for you. Their coats are high maintenance and require frequent brushing, clipping, trimming, etc. to keep from becoming matted. Regular attention should also be given to nails, teeth, ears and pads.
Caution around children- Scottish Terriers, in general, are not well known for their fondness of children. Early positive experiences around children and proper socialization will greatly improve a Scotties disposition with well behaved children, but supervision is still recommended. One little nip is all it takes to injure a child, not to mention the risk inolved to the dog if he should happen to bite or if the child should injure him.
Still unsure if a Scottie is the right dog for you?
If you're looking to share your home with a dog and you've got a soft
spot in your heart for an animal in need, consider becoming a foster
parent to a Scottie in need of a temporary home. There are countless
dogs in immediate need of someone like you who cares and rescue groups
are always desperate for help.
To do a google search for a rescue group near you, simply type your city
and state along with "scottie rescue" into any search engine.
Scottish Terrier and Other Small Dog Garden Flags
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Dog garden flags featuring my own unique dog paintings! Double sided, high quality, “fetching” outdoor yard décor is also the perfect gift idea for pet lovers!
Learn more about me, my art, the mission of this site and Rescue Dogs Are Better here.
Or contact me if there are any other questions I can answer for you about anything you saw or read on this site!
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