The Scottish Terrier also known as the Scottie or the Highland or Aberdeen Terrier is characterised for its characteristic terrier personality. There are four other Scottish Terrier breeds, West Highland White Terriers, Dandie Dinmont and Skye, Cairn.
The personality and characteristics and more importantly the dog care of the Scottie comes from its origins.You should compare characteristics with with the other major dog breeds, of which there are many.
The Scottish Terrier is often given the nickname of “little diehard”. Originally coined in the 19th century by George, the fourth Earl of Dumbarton. George IV had a pack of Scottish Terriers, reputedly so courageous that they were nicknamed “Diehards” and were the inspiration for his Regiment name, The Royal Scots, “Dumbarton’s Diehards”.
As always it is difficult to know the real origins of the Highland Terrier, but it was bred for killing small rodents in Scotland for centuries. It could be the oldest of the five Scottish Terrier breeds and there are some historical evidence dating back to the 16th Century.
The source of the name “terrier” is the Latin terra denoting “earth”. The Scottish Terrier was a hunter where these small legged, sturdy dogs were bred for the purpose of rooting out small rodents such as badgers, foxes and rats out of their burrows.
Scottish Terriers looks are characterised by long fur, heavy eyebrows and whiskers. The wiry coat can be found in many colors, including black, brindle or wheaten of any shade. Scotties with ‘Wheaten’ (straw to nearly white) coats sometimes occur, but may be Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier or West Highland White Terrier.
Highland Terriers are sturdy, with a muscular body and a long neck. A Scottie has a long head in proportion to its body which averages about ten or eleven inches high. The Scottie has erect ears and tail. Highland Terrierwere bred with strong tails so that their owners could pull them out of tunnels when they were caught after tunnelling after vermin and voles.
Highland Terrierhave small, intense almond-shaped and dark eyes.
The Scottish Terrier personality is one of freedom and guts. Often people say a Scottie imagines he is an Irish Wolfhound in height! To the point that he is totally fearless that sometimes appears foolish in the face of a larger dog, when he suddenly realises that he is less than a foot in height. Professional dog walkers, such as London Dog Walking love to walk them, they are never feel frightened by the bigger dogs!
Height at withers for both sexes of the Scottish Terrier should be roughly 25 cm (9.8 in), and the length of back from shoulder to tail is roughly 28 cm (11 in). Generally a well-balanced Scottie dog should weigh 8–10 kg (19–22 lb) and a female from 8–9.9 kg (18–22 lb). Scottish Terrier are about 11–15 inches (28–38 cm) in height.
Aberdeen Terrierare very alert, playful and confident. Aberdeen Terriers typically live around 12 years.
Scotties, whilst being very loving, can also be especially inflexible. Because of this stubbornness, a Scottie needs firm, but calm handling from a puppy or it will rule the household. Every new Highland Terrier addition needs to have a clear puppy training plan.
The Scottish Terrier makes a great watchdog because it normally only barks when essential and normally only for strangers. Dog socialisation is vital as it is a fearless breed that may be antagonistic around other dogs unless introduced and educated to different dogs at an early age.
Because the Aberdeen Terrier were used to fight and hunt badgers and other vermin they love to dig and chase small vermin, such as Squirrels, rats, and mice. Yet another reason to recommend that Scottish Terriers are generally walked on a leash.
Whilst Scotties are generally a robust breed they have a propensity of going down with specific cancers than other purebreds. Research has identified 6 cancers that Scottish Terriers are more likely to go down with ( when compared to other breeds) are: (in descending order) bladder cancer and other transitional cell carcinomas of the lower urinary tract (more usual in older dogs and more common in females so keep an eye on blood in the urine, problems to urinate and frequent urination – and get veterinary assistance); malignant melanoma; gastric carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma of the skin; lymphosarcoma and nasal carcinoma.
Common prevention for dog cancer includes, ensure that your dog has minimal contact to herbicides, pesticides, solvents and cigarette smoke; be prudent when treating dogs with some flea medications; provide a healthy, vitamin-rich diet (low in carbohydrates, high in vegetables) and regularly exercise.
Two other genetic health concerns in the Scottie breed are von Willebrand disease (vWD) which is diagnosed with varying degrees of bleeding tendency, normally easy bruising, nosebleeds and bleeding gums.
The second is craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO); often known as lion’s jaw, that causes extensive bony modifications in the mandible and skull. Normally occurring between the ages of 3 and 8 months. The lesions stop progressing after a year, and can regress. The firm swelling of the jaw, drooling, pain, and difficulty in eating. This is also an inherited disease and if major, could be difficult for the dog.
Because of these inherited diseases it is highly recommended to buy direct from a breeder, who can show he has not had a problem with these diseases.
Famous Scotties include former President George W. Bushs’ Barney and Roosevelts – Fala. Infact the Highland Terrier is the only dog breed that has lived in the White House more than three times.
Other famous people who are known to have owned the Highland Terrier include: Bette Davis; Liza Minnelli; Queen Victoria; Ronald Reagan; Shirley Temple; Tatum O’Neal owned a Highland Terrier. She was said to be so saddened by her dog’s death to old age and cancer that she relapsed into drugs.
The Aberdeen Terrier is also a key part of the Monopoly board game, as the popular player token.
A Highland Terrier and a West Highland White Terrier are featured on the Black & White whisky label. In Enid Blyton’s Mystery Series books, there is Buster a Scottish Terrier, who is often part of the mysteries.
So all in, a rightfully popular dog breed, particularly in personality per weight, but you will need to train and be firm with your Scottish Terrier.
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