scottish terriers

Solid, independent and packed with personality, the Scottish Terrier is the confident companion you never knew you needed. Scotties are as scrappy as they come, and world famous for their high-spirited, dignified demeanor and almost-human character.

Known for their incredible persistence, these tenacious terriers were bred to hunt rats, foxes, and ferocious badgers. Today, you are more likely to find Scottish Terriers cuddled up with their family or patrolling the yard for intrusions.

Scotties are like little bearded drill sergeants. They're cantankerous, efficient, even dour. They can be snippy with other dogs and are likely to treat any animal smaller than itself as prey. Scotties are incredibly devoted to their families but may be too surly for homes with small children.

The Scottish Terrier usually weighs 18 – 22 pounds and has a life expectancy of 12 years. While the Scottish Terrier is generally healthy, they can be prone to do have specific disease conditions.  Always contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice any physical or behavioral changes. 

Potential Health Conditions:

• Von Willebrand's Disease (VWD)

• Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA)

• Craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO)

• Liver shunt, Portosystemic Shunt

• Scotty Cramp

• Dislocated Kneecap, Patellar Luxation

• Hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing's Disease (HAC)

• Hypothyroidism

• Overweight, Obesity

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy(PRA)

• Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head, Legg-Calve Perthes Disease (LCP) Disease

• Gum Disease, Periodontal Disease

• Allergies

Suggested Screening

• Patella evaluation

• Von Willebrand's Disease (VWD) type III – DNA test

Routine care:

• Spay or neuter

• Weight management

• Controlled exercise

• Routine dental care

Scottish Terriers need regular grooming and plenty of exercise. A long walk is a great place to start, but what a Scottie really wants is to play. They crave affection, attention and mental stimulation. Obedience training and agility courses are great ways to exercise your Scotties body and mind.