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Scottish Terrier
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The Scottish Terrier (also known as the Aberdeen Terrier),
popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog best known for its
distinctive profile and typical terrier personality.
The Scottish Terrier is one of five breeds of terrier that originated
in Scotland. The other four are Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and
West Highland White Terriers. Its nickname is "little diehard", given
to it in the 19th century by George, the fourth Earl of Dumbarton.
The Earl had a famous pack of Scottish Terriers, so brave that
they were named “Diehards”. They were supposed to have
inspired the name of his Regiment, The Royal Scots, "Dumbarton’
s Diehards".
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Scottish Terrier
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Description
Appearance
A Scottish Terrier is a small but resilient terrier with a muscular
body and neck (a typical neck circumference is 14 inches), often
appearing to be barrel chested. They are short-legged, Cobby and
sturdily built, with a long head in proportion to their size. Because
the Scottish Terrier is also known as the Aberdeen Terrier, females
are often named "Abby" or "Aggie" and males affectionately named
"Scottie".
The Scottie should have large paws adapted for digging. Erect
ears and tail are salient features of the breed. Their eyes are
small, bright and almond-shaped and dark brown or nearly black in
colour.
Size
Height at withers for both sexes should be roughly 25 cm (9.8 in),
and the length of back from withers to tail is roughly 28 cm (11 in).
Generally a well-balanced Scottie dog should weigh from 8.5–10
kg (19–22 lb) and a female from 8–9.9 kg (18–22 lb). It is about
11–15 inches (28–38 cm) in height.
Coat
The Scottie typically has a hard, wiry, long, weather-resistant outer
coat and a soft dense under coat. The coat is typically trimmed
and blended, with a longer coat on the beard, eyebrows, legs and
lower body — traditionally shaggy-to-the-ground. The head, ears,
tail and back are traditionally trimmed short.
The coat colors range from dark gray to jet black, or 'Brindle' (a
mix of black and brown). Scotties with 'Wheaten' (straw to nearly
white) coats sometimes occur, but should not be confused with the
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier or West Highland White Terrier.
Temperament
Scotties are territorial. They are alert, quick moving and feisty —
perhaps even more so than other terrier breeds. The breed is
known to be independent and self-assured, playful, intelligent and
has been nicknamed the 'Diehard' because of its rugged nature
and endless determination.
Scotties, while being very loving, can also be particularly stubborn.
Because the breed is inclined to be stubborn, it needs firm, but
gentle handling from an early age or it will dominate the household.
They are sometimes seen as an aloof breed, although it is actually
very loyal to its family and they are known to attach themselves to
one or two people. The breed has been described as
tempestuous, but also quite sensitive.
The Scottish Terrier makes a good watchdog due to its tendency
to bark only when necessary and because it is typically reserved
with strangers — although this is not always the case and it is
important to remember that all dogs differ. It is a fearless breed
that may be aggressive around other dogs unless introduced at an
early age.
Scottish Terriers were originally bred to hunt and fight badgers.
Therefore, the Scottie is prone to dig as well as chase small
vermin, such as Squirrels, rats, and mice. For this reason it is
recommended that they be walked on a leash.
Health
Scottish Terriers have a greater chance of developing some
cancers than other purebreds. According to research by the
Veterinary Medical Data Program (1986), six cancers that Scotties
appeared to be more at risk for (when compared to other breeds)
are: (in descending order) bladder cancer and other transitional
cell carcinomas of the lower urinary tract; malignant melanoma;
gastric carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma of the skin;
lymphosarcoma and nasal carcinoma. Other cancers that are
known to commonly affect Scotties include mast cell sarcoma and
hemangiosarcoma.
Research has suggested that Scottish Terriers are 20 times more
likely to get bladder cancer than other breeds and the most
common kind of bladder cancer is transitional cell carcinoma of the
bladder (TCC). Dr. Deborah Knapp of Purdue University School of
Veterinary Medicine has commented "TCC usually occurs in older
dogs (average age 11 years) and is more common in females (2:1
ratio of females to males)." Symptoms of TCC are blood in the
urine, straining to urinate, and frequent urination — although
owners noticing any of these symptoms should also be aware that
the same symptoms may also be indicative of a urinary tract
infection. Veterinary assistance should be sought, and an
ultrasound should be requested to confirm.
The most common and effective form of treatment for TCC is
Piroxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that "allows the
cancer cells to kill themselves." In order to help prevent cancer in a
dog, an owner should ensure that their dog has minimal exposure
to herbicides, pesticides, solvents and cigarette smoke; use
caution when treating dogs with some flea medications; provide a
healthy, vitamin-rich diet (low in carbohydrates, high in vegetables)
and plenty of exercise.
Two other genetic health concerns in the breed are von Willebrand
disease (vWD) and craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO); Scottie
cramp, patellar luxation and cerebellar abiotrophy are also
sometimes seen in this breed. Scottish Terrier owners are advised
to have DNA tests performed to screen for von Willebrand's
disease. Scotties typically live from 11 and 13 years.
History
The Scottie is often thought to be the oldest of the Highland
terriers, although this contention has not been proved. Initial
grouping of several of the highland terriers (including the Scottie)
under the generic name Skye terriers caused some confusion in
the breed’s lineage. There is much disagreement over whether the
Skye terriers mentioned in early 16th century records actually
descended from forerunners of the Scottie or vice versa. It is
certain, however, that Scotties and West Highland White Terriers
are closely related — both their forefathers originating from the
Blackmount region of Perthshire and the Moor of Rannoch.
Scotties were originally bred to hunt and kill vermin on farms and to
hunt badgers and foxes in the Highlands of Scotland. Scotties are
natural "diggers," like other terriers, whose name derives from the
same root as "terre," French for "earth." They were bred with
strong tails so that their owners could pull them out of holes when
they would dig after vermin and voles.
The actual origin of a breed as old as the Scottish Terrier is
somewhat obscure and undocumented. The first written records
about a dog of similar description to the Scottish Terrier dates from
1436, when Don Leslie described them in his book "The History of
Scotland 1436-1561". Two hundred years later, Sir Joshua
Reynolds painted a portrait of a young girl caressing a dog
remarkably similar to a Scottie. King James VI of Scotland was an
important historical figure featuring in the Scottish Terrier's history.
In the 17th century, when King James VI became James I of
England, he sent six terriers — thought to be forerunners of the
Scottish terrier — to a French monarch as a gift. His love and
adoration for the breed increased their popularity throughout the
world.
Many dog writers from the early 1800s on seem to agree that there
were two varieties of terrier existing in Britain at the time — a rough
haired Scotch Terrier and a smooth haired English Terrier.
Thomas Brown, in his Biological Sketches and Authentic
Anecdotes of Dogs (1829), states that "the Scotch terrier is
certainly the purest in point of breed and the (smooth) English
seems to have been produced by a cross from him". Brown went
on to describe the Scotch Terrier as "low in stature, with a strong
muscular body, short stout legs, a head large in proportion to the
body" and was "generally of a sandy colour or black" with a "long,
matted and hard" coat. Although the Scotch Terrier described here
is more generic than specific to a breed, it asserts the existence of
a small, hard, rough-coated terrier developed for hunting small
game in the Scottish Highlands in the early 1800s; a description
that shares essential characteristics with what was once known as
the Aberdeen Terrier and is today known as the Scottish Terrier. In
addition the paintings of Sir Edwin Landseer and an 1835
lithograph, entitled "Scottish Terriers at Work on a Cairn in the
West Highlands", both depict Scottie type terriers very similar to
those described in the first Scottish Terrier Standard.
In the 1800s, the Highlands of Scotland, including the Isle of Skye,
were abundant with terriers originally known by the generic term
"short-haired" or "little Skye terriers." Towards the end of the 19th
century, it was decided to separate these Scottish terriers and
develop pure bloodlines and specific breeds. Originally, the breeds
were separated into two categories – Dandie Dinmont terriers and
Skye terriers (not the Skye terrier known today, but a generic
name for a large group of terriers with differing traits all said to
originate from the Isle of Skye). The Birmingham England dog
show of 1860 was the first to offer classes for these groups of
terriers. They continued to be exhibited in generic groups for
several years and these groups included the ancestors of today's
Scottish Terrier. Recorded history, and the initial development of
the breed started in the late 1870’s with the growth of dog shows.
The exhibiting of dogs required that they be compared to a
standard for the breed and the appearance and temperament of
the Scottie was written down for the first time. Eventually, the Skye
terriers were further divided into what are known today as the
Scottish terrier, Skye Terrier, West Highland white terrier and Cairn
terrier.
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Country of Origin
Scotland
Weight
Male: 19-22 lb
Female: 18-21 lb
Height
10-11 in
Coat
Hard, wiry long outer coat, soft dense
undercoat
Color
Dark gray, jet black, brindle or
wheaten
Life span
11-13 years
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