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The famous Scotty silhouette is of a short-legged but substantial terrier with distinctive beardwork on the beard, legs and lower body. The wiry topcoat and soft, thick undercoat coat may be black, wheatish yellow, or a halter-stripe pattern. Bright, piercing eyes, and erect ears and tails, express deep alertness — an identity of Britain’s terrier breeds.
Scotty’s work style is described as efficient and professional, and his isolation from strangers makes him an excellent watchdog. His hunting instinct remains strong, which can complicate life for a neighbor’s cat, and Scoties are known to be harsh around other dogs. This adventurous and clever Scotsman enjoys fast walks and spirited sports.
Developed to hunt mice, foxes and badgers on the craggy Scottish highlands, the Scottish Terrier is a respected breed. In fact, it is considered the oldest in the Highland Terrier. And one authority calls the breed “”the oldest variety of dog breed indigenous to Britain””. There has been controversy about its origin and type several times throughout the breed’s long history. In fact, dog people spent much of the 1800s arguing over what a Scottish terrier was and what a Scottish terrier used to be. Despite his humble farm-dog origins, Scotty had friends in high places. In the 17th century, King James I of England, a Scot by birth, was well acquainted with the breed and gave it as a gift.
The first Scotty import reached America in 1883, and two years later the AKC registered its first Scotty, a male named Prince Charlie. The pinnacle of Scotty’s popularity was in the 1930s and early 40s, with celebrity owners such as Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis under the spicy charm of the breed. The Scotty silhouette is a familiar form of Depression-era knock-off and advertising, and the image is still popular today, with textile manufacturers looking for a sporty retro-kitsch accent for their designs. The most famous of history was Scotty Falla, a constant companion of President Franklin Roosevelt during World War II.
The Scottish Terrier is a small, compact, short-legged, robustly built dog of good bone and substance. His head is tall in proportion to his size. He has a stiff, stiff, weather-resistant coat and a rough-set, nomadic body that hangs between short, heavy legs. These features, associated with their special eagerness, piercing, “varminty” expression, and their erect ears and tail are the main features of the breed. The bold, confident, respectful aspect of the Scottish terrier exemplifies power in a small package.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time’
Scottish terriers require regularly prescribed grooming. They are a dual-coated breed, with a hard, wiry outer layer and a dense, soft undercoat. Ideally, they are snatched by hand. It should be started when they are young puppies so that they get accustomed to this process. It would be best once a month after starting the coat, but they can be worked on weekly. If you are not doing it yourself, it can be difficult for a pet to find a groom who does this. In that case it is acceptable to shear the coat. With clipping you will eventually lose the right hard texture, as the undercoat will end once the cutting process begins. The clipped coat can be maintained on a six to eight week schedule. A weekly brushing and comb-out will keep Scotty’s coat free and skin healthy. A periodic bath with beauty is acceptable with a good quality moisturizing shampoo.
Scottish terriers perform best with training sessions lasting more than 15 minutes at a time. Be creative, and don’t repeat the training the same way all the time. This breed is a thinker, and if they get bored, they will not respond. Remember, farmers kept dogs that could detect things — not who had to be told what to do. Don’t be surprised when they take your exam. They have an independent streak. It is best focused when you feel like it is their idea to do something. They react to vocal vocals a lot and know why you are angry with your voice. Just be consistent, and reward good behavior.
The Scottish Terrier needs good walks, but also good playtime. They have high energy and some of them need to be spent bursting. Throwing a ball or toy that they can chase works very well. Their nickname is “Deadhard”, and all you have to do is play tug with a favorite toy to see if they won’t stop or until you do. All that activity will keep them in good shape and outlook. This makes them great dogs for living in a small house or apartment.
If the Scottish Terrier’s coat is healthy and grows evenly and there is no dry, scaly skin or irritation, and the eyes are bright and there is no chewing or itching, then there is a possibility that the dog is being given a suitable food. Some experienced breeders have found terriers to perform well on a medium-protein diet (mid-20-percent protein), including some additives such as canned food.
The breed’s national parent club, the Scottish Terrier Club of America, provides excellent information about the breed’s health issues on the club’s website. A good breeder will discuss with you what they have encountered in their rows. Some excellent research is also being done, most of which is supported by the club, to help breeders identify health conditions and make better decisions when choosing a breed. This means better health overall for generations to come.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: