Scottish Terrier

Other Names: Aberdeen Terrier, Scottie Dog Group Kennel Club: Terrier (AKC, KC) Appearance The Scottish Terrier has a compact, strong body with short legs, pricked ears and naturally erect tail. Coat They have a hard and wire-haired outer coat with a soft dense undercoat and prominent eyebrows and moustaches. Colours include: grey, grizzled black, very dark brindle and wheaten.

Weight: 19 - 23 lbs

Average Life Span: 12 - 14 yrs

Temperament
Despite their size, this breed is very strong and think that they are a much larger dog. They are active, assertive, loving and loyal but can be quite stubborn at times. Therefore owners need time and patience when training a Scottie because they can become the dominant one of the household. Scotties make excellent family pets and watchdogs who will eagerly alert their owners to the presence of intruders. They are not suitable with young children as they will not tolerate a childs rough and tumble play. They will get along well with other household animals as long as they have been socialised well as a puppy.

Training
Their stubborness means that g round rules should be set from the very start with firm but gentle training.

Grooming
They need regular brushing and trimming to avoid matting. The beard is a particular trouble spot for matting with this breed due to food, to avoid this the beard should brushed daily.

Exercise
Scotties love the great outdoors, and should be given at least one brisk walk each day.

Scottish Terrier Health Issues

Scottie Cramp: is the most wide-spread hereditary disorder in the breed. Affected dogs are normal at rest and exhibit normal ability to walk until they are stressed. As the dog's level of stress increases, his gait begins to change. The forelegs move out to the side and forward rather than straight forward, called winging. The Scottie's muscles are not cramping and he is not experiencing pain. He has just temporarily lost the ability to coordinate his movements. Once the stress levels decrease symptoms stop. Affected dogs soon learn to anticipate the onset of cramping and abruptly stop running or playing. Nearly all dogs affected with Scottie Cramp make perfectly wonderful companions, able to share virtually all activities with their families.

VON WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE (vWD) - is an autosomally (not sex-linked) inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time (somewhat similar to hemophilia in humans) and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency. A DNA test for vWD is now available. Carrier-to-carrier breedings, in theory, will produce puppies that are 25% clear, 50% carriers, and 25% affected. Ideally, only clear-to-clear or clear-to-carrier should occur, so that no puppies will be affected. Not all dogs that are vWD affected will have severe bleeding problems, but they ARE at risk whenever they need to have surgery or have an accident. Some unlucky affected dogs will actually bleed out from a needle stick or minor wound.

Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO): is an inherited disorder characterized by an abnormal growth of the bone of the lower jaw. CMO usually appears between four and seven months. CMO is nearly always treatable.

Hypothyroidism, an endocrine disease that results in the abnormally low production of thyroid hormones. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include lethargy, mental depression, weight gain and a tendency to seek out warm places. Hypothyroidism can also affect the coat and skin, causing hair loss and excessive dandruff.

Epilepsy: is a seizure disorder which has been found in this breed. Seizures vary between a far-away look or twitching in one part of the face to your pet falling on his side, barking, gnashing his teeth, urinating, defecating and paddling his limbs. Seizures usually appear suddenly and end spontaneously, and can last from seconds to minutes. The disorder has no known cause, however it is important for your veterinarian to determine your pets general health and make sure there is no underlying disease that may be causing the seizures. Treatment can include anticonvulsant medications. Always ask your vet for advice.

Scottish Terrier History

The Scottish Terrier is believed to be the oldest highland terrier and parent to many other terrier dogs including: west highland, cairn and  dandie dinmot. Its origin belongs to the highlands of Scotland.  It was here that predators such as foxes, badgers, rats and other vermin caused many problems for Scottish  farmers. Scottish Terriers were bred to work on farms to hunt and kill these animals.

There are two names which have attached themselves to the dog we now know as the Scottie. In the 1860’s, in the very early days of dog shows and preceding the development of breed standards, the name “Aberdeen Terrier” was used to describe the Scottie “type” and it may be that the breed came out of the Highlands through the town of Aberdeen. The other name associated with the Scottie is the “Diehard”. George, the fourth Earl of Dumbarton, had a famous pack of Scottish Terriers, so brave that they were named “Diehards”.