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, Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont and West Highland White Terriers.
The personality and characteristics and more importantly the dog care of the Scottie comes from its historic roots.You should compare characteristics with with the other major dog breeds, of which there are many.
The Scottish Terrier is often given 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, apparently so fearless that they were nicknamed “Diehards” and were the stimulation for the name of his Regiment, The Royal Scots, “Dumbarton’s Diehards”.
It is impossible to be sure of the real origins of the Aberdeen Terrier, but it was bred for clearing small rodents in Scotland for centuries. It could be the oldest of the five Scottish Terrier breeds , with some references back to the 16th Century.
The origin of the name “terrier” is the Latin terra meaning “earth”. The Scottish Terrier was a hunter where these short legged, sturdy dogs were designed and built for the function of killing small rodents such as badgers, foxes and rats out of their burrows.
Scottish Terriers looks are characterised by long fur, heavy eyebrows and whiskers. The stiff 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 robust, with a muscular body and a long neck. A Scottie has a long head relative to its body which averages about 10 or 11 inches high. The Aberdeen Terrier has erect ears and tail. Aberdeen Terrierwere bred with strong tails so that could be pulled out of tunnels when they were wedged after tunnelling after vermin and voles.
Scottiehave small, intense almond-shaped and dark eyes.
The Scottish Terrier personality is one of independence and will power. Often people say a Scottie imagines he is an Irish Wolfhound in height! To the extent that he is quite fearless that sometimes appears stupid in the face of a much larger dog, when he suddenly realises that he is less than a foot in height. Professional dog walkers, such as London Dog Walking love to walk them, they are never intimated by the larger dogs!
Highland Terrier have similar height and weight for both sexes, roughly 25 cm (9.8 in), and the length of back from shoulder 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). Scottish Terrier are about 11–15 inches (28–38 cm) in height.
Aberdeen Terrierare very attentive, jovial and confident. Aberdeen Terriers typically live about eleven years.
Scottish Terriers, whilst being very loving, can also be especially immovable. Because of this inflexibility, a Scottish Terrier needs firm, but calm handling from a puppy or it will dominate the home. Every new Aberdeen Terrier addition should have a clear puppy training plan.
The Aberdeen Terrier makes a great watchdog because it generally only barks when necessary and in the main only for strangers. Dog socialisation is vital as it is a fearless breed that may be aggressive around other dogs unless presented and trained to other dogs whilst a puppy or young.
Because the Highland Terrier were used to fight and hunt badgers and other pests they are prone to dig and chase small pests, such as Squirrels, rats, and mice. Yet another reason to recommend that Scotties are generally walked on a leash.
Whilst Scotties are generally a robust breed they do have a greater chance of developing some cancers than other purebreds. Research has identified six cancers that they are more likely to go down with (versus other breeds) are: (in descending order) bladder cancer and other transitional cell carcinomas of the lower urinary tract (more usual in older dogs and more common in females so keep an eye on blood in the urine, straining to urinate and frequent urination – and search 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 minimal contact to herbicides, pesticides, solvents and cigarette smoke; be prudent when treating dogs with some flea medications; give a healthy, vitamin-rich diet (low in carbohydrates, high in vegetables) and regularly exercise.
Two other genetic health concerns in the Scottie breed are von Willebrand disease (vWD) which shows in varying degrees of bleeding tendency, usually in the form of easy bruising, nosebleeds and bleeding gums.
The second is craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO); often known as lion’s jaw, that causes extensive bony changes in the mandible and skull. Normally occurring between the ages of 3 and 8 months. The lesions stop progressing after twelve months or so, and can regress. The firm 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 Roosevelts – Fala and former President George W. Bushs’ Barney. Infact the Scottish 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 Aberdeen Terrier include: Bette Davis; Julie Andrews; E.B. White; Theodore Roosevelt; Dorothy Lamour; Tatum O’Neal owned a Scottish Terrier. She was said to be so upset by her dog’s death to old age and cancer that she relapsed into drugs.
The Highland Terrier is also a .
A Scottish Terrier and a West Highland White Terrier are pictured 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 Aberdeen Terrier.