Scottish Terrier – a Great Dog.
The Scottish Terrier also often called the Scottie or the Highland or Aberdeen Terrier is reknowned for its characteristic terrier personality. There are four other Scottish Terrier breeds, West Highland White Terriers, Dandie Dinmont and Skye, Cairn.
The behaviour and qualities and more importantly the dog care of the Scottie comes from its historic roots.You should compare characteristics with with the other top dog breeds, of which there are around 500.
The Highland Terrier is often called by 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, supposedly so valiant that they were given the nickname “Diehards” and were the inspiration for the name of his Regiment, The Royal Scots, “Dumbarton’s Diehards”.
As always it is difficult to know the real origins of the Scottie, but it was bred for clearing small rodents in Scotland for centuries. It could be the oldest of the five Scottish Terrier breeds and there are some references back to the 16th Century.
The source of the name “terrier” is the Latin terra meaning “earth”. The Aberdeen Terrier was a hunter where these short legged, sturdy dogs were bred for the reason of rooting out small pest animals 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 exists in many colors, including black, wheaten or brindle 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 relative to its body which averages about ten or eleven inches high. The Aberdeen Terrier has erect ears and tail. Aberdeen Terrierwere bred with strong tails so that could be pulled out of burrows when they were wedged after digging after vermin and voles.
Scottish Terrierhave small, bright almond-shaped and dark eyes.
The Highland Terrier personality is one of independence and will power. Often people say a Scottie thinks he is an Irish Wolfhound in height! To the point that he is quite fearless that often appears stupid in the face of a larger dog, when he suddenly realises that he is only nine inches high. Dog walkers love to walk them, they are never intimated by the bigger dogs!
Height at withers for both sexes of the Aberdeen Terrier should be roughly 25 cm (9.8 in), and the length of back from withers 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). Aberdeen Terrier are about 11–15 inches (28–38 cm) in height.
Scottieare very attentive, playful and confident. Highland Terriers typically live roughly twelve years.
Scotties, whilst being very loving, can also be especially stubborn. Because of this obstinate trait, a Highland Terrier needs strong, but kind handling from a puppy or it will rule the home. Every new Highland Terrier addition needs to have a clear puppy training plan.
The Highland Terrier makes a great watchdog because it generally only barks when necessary and generally only for strangers. Dog socialisation is vital as it is a fearless breed that may be aggressive around other dogs unless introduced and educated to other dogs whilst a puppy or young.
Because the Highland Terrier were bred to fight and hunt badgers and other pests they are prone to dig as well as chase small vermin, such as Squirrels, rats, and mice. Yet another reason to recommend that Scottish Terriers are generally walked on a leash.
Whilst Aberdeen Terriers are generally a healthy breed they have a propensity of going down with some cancers than other purebreds. Studies have identified six 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 normal in more mature dogs and more frequently in females so watch for blood in the urine, straining to urinate and often urinating – and get veterinary help); 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 little or no exposure to herbicides, pesticides, solvents and cigarette smoke; use caution when treating dogs with some flea medications; give a healthy, vitamin-rich diet (low in carbohydrates, high in vegetables) and plenty of exercise.
Two other genetic health concerns in the Scottie breed are von Willebrand disease (vWD) which symptoms are varying degrees of bleeding tendency, normally easy bruising, nosebleeds and gums that bleed.
The second is craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO); often known as lion’s jaw, that created major bony changes in the mandible and skull. Normally occurring between the ages of 3 and 8 months. The lesions stop progressing after a year, and may regress. The solid swelling of the jaw, drooling, pain, and problems in eating. This is also an inherited disease and if extensive, could be difficult for the dog.
Due to these inherited diseases it is advisable to buy directly from a breeder, who can show he has no problems with these diseases.
Famous Scotties include former President George W. Bushs’ Barney and Roosevelts – Fala. Infact the Aberdeen Terrier is the only dog breed that has lived more than three times in the White House.
Other famous people who are known to have owned the Scottie include: Bette Davis; Julie Andrews; Queen Victoria; Theodore Roosevelt; Shirley Temple; Tatum O’Neal owned a Scottish Terrier. She was said to be so saddened by her dog’s death to cancer and old age that she fell back into drugs.
The Scottie is also a player token in the board game, Monopoly.
A Scottie 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 character per kg, but you will need to train and be firm with your Scottie.
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Tags: Aberdeen Terrier, dog socialisation, dog walker, dog walking, Highland Terrier, puppy training, Scottie, Scottish Terrier