By Heidi Clayton
If you are considered a “type-A” personality and want a dog to match your gumption, you should consider the Scottish Terrier. I love watching the little Scotty with their cocky attitudes sail across the show ring like they own it. In their minds, they most certainly do.
The terrier breeds of the Scottish Highlands can all be traced over a thousand years back in history. These gamey little dogs were a necessity in a time before rat traps and exterminators. They rid farms, food storage rooms and gardens of rodents and vermin. Originally, their looks were not of much concern, with more emphasis being put on their gaminess.
However, in roughly 1880, two Scots decided to pen an official breed standard for the Scottish Terrier that described the perfect-sized dog, temperament, and coat needed to effectively hunt vermin. The Scottish Terrier arrived in the United States in 1833. By 1835, they were being registered and shown in the American Kennel Club. The Scottish Terrier Club of America has been in existence since 1900 and there have been few changes in the written standard for Scotties since.
The Scottish Terrier was thrust into stardom when President Franklin D. Roosevelt was given his faithful companion Fala. As Roosevelt was rarely seen without him, Fala became so popular that he needed his own press secretary. During an election year, Republicans alleged that millions in government money was spent to recover Fala from a Canadian island where he was supposed to have been lost. FDR is quoted as saying, “These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me, or my wife, or on my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog, Fala. Well, of course, I don’t resent attacks, and my family doesn’t resent attacks, but Fala does resent them.” Fala was with the president when he died and also attended his funeral.
Given their independent nature, I believe that Fala would have indeed resented such a personal attack. Terriers down to their toes, Scottish Terriers have maintained their tenacity for hunting vermin and are nicknamed “die-hard” by lovers of the breed. If you don’t want rabbits or chipmunks in your yard to destroy your garden, get a Scotty and your problem will be solved.
Scotties are not for everyone. They are strong and independent little dogs that are incredibly smart; you just have to convince them that your way is the preferred way. They respond best to positive training. Since they love to hunt, they will need regular exercise.
Scotties are small terriers that should only weigh between 18-22 pounds and stay about 10 inches tall at the withers. If you are in the market for a “non-shedding” breed, here it is. Scotties have a rough or wiry outer coat and soft undercoat that will require brushing and some trimming. However, they do not shed fur. They come in the colors of black, brindle, and my favorite wheaten. They also still have very large teeth that came in handy when killing vermin.
I freely admit that the Scottish Terrier is not for everyone. Most of the Scotty owners I know freely admit that they are owned by their dogs, not the other way around. But if you live an active lifestyle and want a loyal and adventurous little friend, check out the Scotty.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
