Scottish Terriers are a breed of dog best known for their distinctive profile, their fierce loyalty, and their die-hard spirit.

Appearance

 

A Scottish Terrier, or Scottie, is a small but resilient terrier. Scotties are fast and have a muscular body, often appearing to be barrel chested. Its traditional grooming is shaggy-to-the-ground. The usual coat colour ranges from dark grey to jet black. 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.

History

 

They were originally bred in Scotland (their first name was the Aberdeen Terrier) in about the 1700s, but had achieved their final size and shape by 1890. Scotties are natural diggers, like other terriers, whose name derives from the same root as terre, French for earth. Scotties were originally bred to hunt badgers in the Highlands of Scotland. They were also bred with strong tails so that their owners could pull them out of holes when they would dig after vermin and voles. Their nickname is little diehard from James Francis Edward Stuart, the King descended from the Scottish line.

 

Health

 

Scotties are a very robust breed, but some do carry the gene for von Willebrands disease, a clotting disorder which can be fatal in an affected pup. For a pup to be affected both parents must be carriers, which is why it is essential that genetic testing must be done on breeding scotties not known to be clear by parentage. As long as at least one of the parents is tested clear it is impossible for any pup to have the condition, so only buy pups from  breeders who test for vWD or insist on using clear stud dogs. The genetic test is very simple and only involves taking and testing a cheek swab. Carriers do not get the clotting problems.

Some scotties are prone to sensitive skin, which is usually easily fixed with adding omega 3's to the diet - daily fish oil capsules and a little zinc are often all that is needed. Avoiding too much grain in the diet and artificial colours and preservatives also helps.

 

Famous Scotties

 

Barney and Miss Beazley, pets of the President of the United States, George W. Bush, and his family.
Fala, pet of F.D.R.
Jock, Lady's Scottie friend from Disney's 'Lady and the Tramp'
Eva Braun (Hitler's mistress) had 2 Scotties, named Stasi and Negus.
Dorothy Parker had a Scottie named Daisy.
Eleanor Roosevelt had a Scottie named Meggie after the deaths of FDR and Fala.
Charles Lindbergh had a Scottie named Skean, which means short sword in Gaelic.
Queen Victoria had a Scottie named Laddie.