Scottish Terrier
Also known as Scottie
- Height at the withers
- 25 to 28 cm
- Weight
- 8 to 10 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 60 minutes
- Origin
- Scotland
- FCI group
- 3 · Terriers
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- apartment living, with regular outings
- being left alone for a few hours during the day
- people bothered by dog hair (no breed is guaranteed allergy-free)
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a home with cats
Overview
A small, compact and sturdy terrier with a distinctive wiry coat, upright ears, a beard and eyebrows, and a dignified, self-assured presence.
History and origins
One of the oldest terrier breeds of the Scottish Highlands, bred to hunt fox, badger and vermin in rocky terrain. Long confused with other Scottish terriers, its type was set in Britain in the late 19th century.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Scottie cramp
- von Willebrand disease
- Bladder cancer (urothelial carcinoma)
- Craniomandibular osteopathy
- Hypothyroidism
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, wiry coat. Low shedding, high coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Apartment
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Home alone
- Well, 4 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- High, 4 out of 5
- Shedding
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Scottish Terrier FAQ
How big does the Scottish Terrier get?
The Scottish Terrier stands 25 to 28 cm at the withers and weighs 8 to 10 kg. It is a very small dog.
Does the Scottish Terrier shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs a lot of care. It is one of the breeds that shed very little and are often better tolerated by people with allergies, with no guarantee: spend time with the breed before you decide. Its coat needs regular grooming, sometimes by a professional.
Can the Scottish Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, if it goes out several times a day: it adapts well to a home without a yard.
How much exercise does the Scottish Terrier need each day?
Allow about 60 minutes of activity a day: its energy is moderate.
Is the Scottish Terrier good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Scottish Terrier live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are Scottie cramp and von Willebrand disease.
