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Loneliness does strike people at some point in time. Unless you have a companion to share your loneliness, you will be fighting with your own feelings. Dogs are man’s best friends as their mere presence has a soothing effect on our depressed minds.
Researchers believe that dogs have the ability to reduce stress, depression, and loneliness. If you were an owner of a dog, you would know the difference they can make to your minds and the overall environment.
Here’s a quick guide on one of the most intelligent and independent dogs, the Scottish Terrier. This dog is known for its sensitive nature and hilariousness. They are playful and at the same show great dedication towards the work given to them.
Scottish Terrier Breed Characteristics Sheet
- Origin: Scotland
- Size: Short
- Dog Breed Group: Terrier Dogs
- Purebred: Yes
- Lifespan: 11 -13 Years
- Height (at Shoulder): 10 Inches Tall at the Shoulder
- Weight: 18 – 22 pounds
- Coat Appearance: Double-layered (rough overcoat and soft, dense undercoat)
- Coat Colors: Black, Grey, Steel, Brindle, Wheaten
- Temperament: Alert, Quick Moving, Fiesty
- Good With Children: Yes (better under elder’s observance)
- Intelligence Level: High
- Good With Pets: Moderate to High (Needs early socialization)
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Grooming: High
- Shedding: Low
- Barking: Moderate
- Suitable For Apartments: High
- Need For Exercise: Moderate to High (especially those that are trained to hunt and herd)
- Easy To Train: No (Need consistent training; can be stubborn at times)
- Good For First Time Owners: Low (Will need professional help to train)
- Health Issues: Scottie Cramp, Von Willebrand’s disease, Patellar luxation, Craniomandibular osteopathy
- Litter Size: 1 -6 puppies
- Average Price: $800 – $1000 USD
Scottish Terrier Size And Lifespan
Size
Size – They grow up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder.
Weight – They mostly weigh between 18 and 22 pounds.
The numbers are just approximate and it may vary based on the food they eat and the amount of activity they receive on a daily basis.
Lifespan
They usually have a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years. If they are very well taken care of, they can live up to 15 years of age.
Owing to their small size, they are prone to injuries that sometimes turn out to be fatal. Yet, unless they have any other genetic problems, they are mostly a healthy breed.
Scottish Terrier Temperament
Scottish Terrier was bred as a working dog and was designed to follow and hunt down small prey.
They still have the drive alive in them and they would never give up digging the ground if they see a beetle hide. They are quite intelligent and ever ready to learn new tricks. Their sensitivity to harsh treatment during training should be kept under check.
They are aggressive towards new pets. It may exhibit a tinge of aloofness when in the presence of strangers. They usually take time to familiarize with outsiders. But, that’s not the case when he is around his own people and his love towards his family is legendary.
They love chasing around cats, squirrels, butterflies. You may have to give him extra training on getting along with other pets if you have a cat or squirrel as a pet. Scottish Terrier is a lively breed but may get subjected to separation anxiety if left alone for a long time.
Scottish Terrier Health Problems
They are a healthy breed provided they are void of any genetic problems. Here are a few common diseases that the Scottie’s suffer from;
Von Willebrand’s Disease – A good breeder would mostly avoid breeding dogs with this disease. It is a genetic disorder that affects the clotting ability of the blood. This may lead to excessive bleeding even for a slight bruise on the pet.
Blood transfusion is the only way to treat a pet suffering from this condition.
Scottie Cramp – This is a temporary and harmless problem found in this breed. The main cause of this condition is stress and overstimulation.
Exercising, mating and fighting may sometimes lead to stress. They may seem calm normally. But, when under stress, they exhibit a sudden arching of spine and over-flexing of rear legs.
Their goose-like gait is the only way we get to realize that they are suffering from this cramp disorder. It mostly subsides with time. But, there are occasions when severe outcomes have to be treated with Vitamin E, Diazepam and Prozac.
Always contact a vet before administering any medication.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy – This condition is marked by unusual enlargement of the skull when the puppy is just 6 or 8 months old. Mostly the symptoms include swollen jaws and glands that lead to excessive drooling.
It may also be accompanied by fluctuating fever every other day. This condition mostly subsides when the dog grows old. In certain cases, only surgery can help recover.
Dogs and all other pets cannot communicate their problems and feelings. Hence, we need to keep a close eye on their daily behavior in order to identify irregularities.
Scottish Terrier Training
Scottish Terrier loves to learn new tricks. But, they may turn out to be stubborn-natured if we practice aggressive training. He is very softhearted and may feel broken if we continue being harsh on him.
So, train him slowly and use positive reinforcement to get a positive response.
Earlier farmers used them to keep their farms free from vermins. Hence, this breed is a “work-by-yourself” type. They may love working out all by themselves without taking heed to their owner’s command.
With consistent training, they can be taught to listen and follow orders.
They need regular walks but do not let them strain their body by taking them on long walks. A quick walk around your yard would be more than enough to keep your Scottish Terrier active and healthy.
Get your puppy to socialize with people and other pets. This is quite important if you want to avoid unnecessary barking on the sight of a close friend at the front gate.
The formula to get your puppy trained well is to ‘start early’. Teach him to respect, socialize and take orders right from the moment you bring him home.
Scottish Terrier Care
Caring and maintaining a Scottish Terrier is not as easy as you may imagine being. But, it is not scary either.
- Choose the best quality food to keep your pup healthy. Their coat texture and growth depends on the quality of food you give.
- Grooming is quite important; Scottish Terrier needs a haircut every week. Ensure you keep the hair around the eyes and paws short and trim.
- They are not so great at swimming so ensure to keep him away from swimming pools. Their weight and short legs prevent him from swimming well unlike other dogs.
- They hate being locked in crates and kennels the whole day, so ensure to let him out for a quick a play. Being locked the entire day can turn them into being aggressive and aloof.
Scottish Terrier Food
1 to 1.5 cup of dog food is the recommended quantity of food for a Scottish Terrier. But, this may vary based on its age, size, and food intake. An active Scottie will need not more than a cup to stay energetic the whole day.
The only factor that you need to consider the most important is that you must choose the right quality of dog food. After all, you have to keep your dog healthy and well nourished.
Foods That Scottish Terrier Eats
- Fish
- Sweet Potatoes
- Egg
- Beef
- Pork
- Blueberries
- Oatmeal
- Brown rice
- Carrots
- Peas
Foods To Avoid (Vet Recommended)
- Cooked bones
- Almonds
- Raisins and Grapes
- Apple pieces
- Chocolate
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Onions
Scottish Terrier Shedding And Grooming
Scottish Terriers have double coats. The overcoat (the top coat) which is rough and wiry, while the undercoat (bottom coat) which is soft and dense.
Since its hair keeps growing in length, they do not shed as the shorthaired dogs do. You should not take it for granted that they are easy to maintain. They need to be groomed at least once in a week and daily if he is a show dog.
His coat may dry out if given a bath on a daily basis; so give him a wash only if it is needed.
Scottish Terrier Dog Names
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| Agan | Bretta |
| Lean | Davina |
| Oscar | Tyra |
| McDuff | Dixie |
| Richmond | Jinny |
| Aston | Artis |
| Roy | Maggie |
| Bath | Nessa |
| Watson | Shannon |
| Bernard | Lara |
Interesting Facts
- Prior to being accepted as family dogs, they were used as ratters.
- King James VI of Scotland was believed to be a huge fan of the breed.
- They hold the pride of making 3 appearances in the White House.
- A female Scottie named Splinter II is considered the mother of this dog breed.
- They hold the maximum Westminster dog show wins.
- As mentioned earlier, they take time to make friends with strangers.
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Scottish Terrier Price And Breeders
Price
The average cost of a Scottish Terrier may range from $800 to $1000 USD.
To prevent yourself from falling into a wrong sale, compare the price offered by different breeders. Never regret spending extra if that extra amount authenticates your pup’s health.
Breeders
Here are a few major points to consider the following while choosing a local breeder.
- Never Fall for fancy sales slogans
“All that shines is not gold”! Creatively written sales slogans may look enticing. But, you may have to perform a background analysis before getting a puppy.
- Look into Medical Records
Always look into the medical results of the dog’s bloodline as well as the pup. Try to stay away from breeders who breed dogs with genetic disorders.
- Talk to a Local Guide
Get guidance from local guides or vets; they will know better about reliable breeders around your locality.
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