Videos Scottish Terrier Scottie Breed Information
Country of origin -
United Kingdom Scotland
Common nicknames -
Scottie
Classification and breed standards
FCI:|Group
3 Section 2 #73|Stds
AKC:|Terrier|Stds
ANKC:|Group 2
(Terriers)|Stds
CKC:|Group
4 - Terriers|Stds
KC
(UK):|Terrier|Stds
NZKC:|Terrier|Stds
UKC:|Terriers|Stds
The Scottish Terrier (also known as the
Aberdeen Terrier), popularly called the
Scottie, is a breed of
dog best known for its distinctive
profile.
The Scottish Terrier is one of five breeds of terrier that
originated in Scotland. The other four
are Skye, Cairn, Dandie
Dinmont, and West
Highland White Terriers. Its nickname is "little
diehard", given to it in the 19th century by George, the
fourth Earl of Dumbarton. [1]
The Earl had a famous pack of Scottish Terriers, so brave that they
were named Diehards. They were supposed to have inspired the name
of his Regiment, The Royal Scots,
"Dumbartons Diehards". [1]
1. History
The Scottie is often thought to be the oldest of the Highland terriers, although this
contention has not been proved. [1] Because several of the highland
terriers (including the Scottie) were initially grouped under the
generic name, Skye terriers, it has caused some confusion in the
breeds lineage. There is much disagreement over whether the Skye
terriers mentioned in early 16th century records actually descended
from forerunners of the Scottie or vice versa. [1] It is certain,
however, that Scotties and West Highland White Terriers
are closely related both their forefathers originating from the
Blackmount region of Perthshire and
the Moor of Rannoch. [1] Scotties
were originally bred to hunt and kill vermin on farms and to hunt
badgers and foxes in the Highlands of
Scotland. Scotties are natural "diggers," like other
terriers, whose name derives from the same root as
"terre," French for "earth." [1] They were bred
with strong tails so that their owners could pull them out of holes
when they would dig after vermin and voles.
The actual origin of a breed as old as the Scottish Terrier is
somewhat obscure and undocumented. [1] The first written records
about a dog of similar description to the Scottish Terrier dates
from 1436, when Don Leslie described them in his book "The
History of Scotland 1436-1561". Two hundred years later,
Sir Joshua Reynolds painted a
portrait of a young girl caressing a dog remarkably similar to a
Scottie. [1] King James VI of
Scotland was an important historical figure featuring in the
Scottish Terrier's history. In the 17th century, when King
James VI became James I of England, he sent six terriers thought
to be forerunners of the Scottish terrier to a French monarch as a present. [1] His love and
adoration for the breed increased their popularity throughout the
world. [1]
Many dog writers from the early 1800s on seem to agree that
there were two varieties of terrier existing in Britain at the time
a rough haired Scotch Terrier and a smooth haired English
Terrier. [1] Thomas Brown, in his Biological Sketches and
Authentic Anecdotes of Dogs (1829) states that "the
Scotch terrier is certainly the purest in point of breed and the
(smooth) English seems to have been produced by a cross from
him". Brown went on to describe the Scotch Terrier as
"low in stature, with a strong muscular body, short stout
legs, a head large in proportion to the body" and was
"generally of a sandy colour or black" with a "long,
matted and hard" coat. [1] Although the Scotch Terrier
described here is more generic than specific to a breed, it asserts
the existence of a small, hard, rough-coated terrier developed for
hunting small game in the Scottish Highlands in the early 1800s; a
description that shares essential characteristics with what was
once known as the Aberdeen Terrier and is today known as the
Scottish Terrier. [1] In addition the paintings of Sir Edwin Landseer and an 1835
lithograph, entitled "Scottish Terriers at Work on a Cairn in
the West Highlands", both depict Scottie type terriers very
similar to those described in the first Scottish Terrier Standard.
[1]
In the 1800s, the Highlands of Scotland, including the Isle of Skye, were abundant with terriers
originally known by the generic term "short-haired" or
"little Skye terriers." [1] Towards the end of the 19th
century, it was decided to separate these Scottish terriers and
develop pure bloodlines and specific breeds. Originally, the breeds
were separated into two categories - Dandie Dinmont terriers and
Skye terriers (not the Skye terrier known today, but a generic name
for a large group of terriers with differing traits all said to
originate from the Isle of Skye). The Birmingham England dog show of 1860 was the
first to offer classes for these groups of terriers. [1] They
continued to be exhibited in generic groups for several years and
these groups included the ancestors of today's Scottish
Terrier. [1] Recorded history, and the initial development of the
breed started in the late 1870s with the growth of dog shows. The
exhibiting of dogs required that they be compared to a standard for
the breed and the appearance and temperament of the Scottie was
written down for the first time. [1] Eventually, the Skye terriers
were further divided into what are known today as the Scottish
terrier, Skye Terrier, West Highland white terrier and Cairn
terrier. [1]
While identification of the breed was being sought through the
late 1800s, the Scottish terrier was known by many different names:
the Highland, the Cairn, Diehard, and most often, the Aberdeen
Terrier named because of the dogs abundancy in the area and
because a J.A. Adamson of Aberdeen had a
lot of success exhibiting his dogs during the 1870s. [1] Roger
Rough, owned by Adamson, Tartan, owned by Mr Paynton Piggott, Bon
Accord, owned by Messrs Ludlow and Bromfield and Splinter II, owned
by Mr Ludlow, were early winners and are the four dogs from which
all Scottish Terrier pedigrees
ultimately began. [1] It is often said that all present day
Scotties stem from a single bitch, Splinter
II, and two sires. In her heavily researched book, The New
Scottish Terrier, Cindy Cooke refers to Splinter II as the
"foundation matron of the modern Scottish Terrier." Cooke
goes on to say "For whatever reason, early breeders linebred
on this bitch to the virtual exclusion of all others. Mated to
Tartan, she produced Worry, the dam of four champions. Rambler, her
son by Bonaccord, sired the two founding sires of the breed, Ch.
Dundee (out of Worry) and Ch. Alistair (out of a Dundee
daughter)" (The New Scottish Terrier, 1996). [1] From Splinter
and her sires are descended all the show champions on both sides of
the Atlantic. [1]
Captain Gordon Murray and S.E. Shirley were responsible for
setting the type in 1879. [1] Shortly afterwards, in 1879, Scotties
were for the first time exhibited at Alexander Palace in England, while the following year they began to
be classified in much the same way as is done today. [1] The first
written standard of the breed was drafted by J.B. Morrison and D.J.
Thomson Gray and appeared in Vero Shaw's Illustrated Book
of The Dog, published in 1880, and ultimately was extremely
influential in setting both breed type and the Scottish terrier
name. The standard gave the dog colouring as "Grey, Grizzle or
Brindle", as the typically Black colouring of Scotties was not
fashionable or favoured until the 1900s. [1]
In 1881 the "Scottish Terrier Club of England" was
founded, being the first club dedicated to the breed. The club
secretary, H J Ludlow, is responsible for greatly popularising the
breed in the southern parts of Great Britain. The "Scottish
Terrier Club of Scotland" wasn't founded until 1888, seven
years after the English club. [1] Following the formation of the
English and Scottish clubs there followed several years of
differences and arguments with regards to what should be deemed as
the correct and official standard of the breed. [1] Things were
finally settled by a revised standard in 1930, which was based on
four prepotent dogs. The dogs were Robert and James Chapman's
Heather Necessity, Albourne Barty, bred by AG Cowley, Albourne
Annie Laurie, bred by Miss Wijk and Miss Wijk's Marksman of
Docken (the litter brother of Annie Laurie). [1] These four dogs
and their offspring modified the look of the Scottie, particularly
the length of the head, closeness to the ground and the squareness
of body. Their subsequent success in the show ring led to them
becoming highly sought after by the British public and breeders.
[1] As such, the modified standard completely revolutionized the
breed. [1] This new standard was subsequently recognised by the
Kennel Club UK circa 1930. [1]
Scotties were introduced to America in the early 1890's but it was
not until the years between World War
I and World War II that the
breed became popular. A club was formed in 1900 and a standard
written in 1925. [1] The Scottish Terrier was recognized by the
United Kennel Club in 1934.
[1] By 1936, Scotties were the third most popular breed in the
United States. Although they did not permanently stay in fashion,
they continue to enjoy a steady popularity with a large segment of
the dog-owning public across the world. [1]
2. Appearance
A Scottish Terrier is a small but resilient terrier. Scotties are fast and have a muscular
body and neck (a typical neck diameter is 14 inches), [1] often
appearing to be barrel chested. They are short-legged, compact and
sturdily built, with a long head in proportion to their size.
The Scottie should have large paws adapted for digging. [1]
Erect ears and tail are salient features of the breed. Their eyes
are small, bright and almond-shaped and
dark brown or nearly black in colour. [1]
Height at withers for both sexes should be roughly ten inches,
and the length of back from withers to tail is roughly eleven
inches. Generally a well-balanced Scottie dog should weigh from
19-22 pounds and a female from 18-21 pounds. [1]
The Scottie typically has a hard, wiry, long, weather-resistant
outer coat and a soft dense under coat. The coat is typically
trimmed and blended, with a longer coat on the beard, eyebrows,
legs and lower body traditionally shaggy-to-the-ground. The head,
ears, tail and back are traditionally trimmed short. [1]
The usual coat color ranges from dark gray to jet black.
Scotties with 'Wheaten' (straw to nearly white) or
'Brindle' coats sometimes occur,
but should not be confused with the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
or West Highland White
Terrier.
3. Temperament
Scotties, like most terriers, are alert, quick and feisty perhaps
even more so than other terrier breeds. [1] The breed is known to
be independent and self-assured, playful, intelligent and has been
nicknamed the 'Diehard' because of its rugged nature and
endless determination. [1]
Although black is the most traditional colour for a Scottie, wheaten Scotties can also be found, as shown in this picture of a Scottie puppy.
Although black is the most traditional colour for a
Scottie, wheaten Scotties can also be found, as shown in this
picture of a Scottie puppy.
Scotties, while being very loving, can also be particularly
stubborn. Because the breed is inclined to be stubborn, it needs
firm, gentle handling from an early age or it will dominate the
household. [1] They are sometimes seen as an aloof breed, although
it is actually very loyal to its family and they are known to
attach themselves to one or two people in their pack. [1] The breed
has been described as tempestuous, but also quite sensitive.
[1]
The Scottish terrier makes a good watchdog due to its tendency
to bark only when necessary and because it is typically reserved
with strangers although this is not always the case and it is
important to remember that all dogs differ. [1] [1] It is a
fearless breed that may be aggressive around other dogs unless
introduced at an early age. [1]
The Scottie is prone to dig as well as chase and hunt small
vermin, such as Squirrels, rats, mice and foxes a trait that
they were originally bred for. For this reason it is recommended
that they are walked on a leash. [1]
4. Health
Scottish Terriers have a greater chance of developing some
cancers than other purebreds. According to
research by the Veterinary Medical Data Program (1986), six cancers
that Scotties appeared to be more at risk for (when compared to
other breeds) are: (in descending order) bladder cancer and other transitional cell carcinomas
of the lower urinary tract; malignant melanoma; gastric carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma of the
skin; lymphosarcoma and nasal
carcinoma. [1] Other cancers that are known to commonly affect
Scotties include mast cell
sarcoma [1] and hemangiosarcoma. [1]
Research has suggested that Scottish Terriers are 20 times more
likely to get bladder cancer than other breeds [1] and the most
common kind of bladder cancer is transitional cell carcinoma of the
bladder (TCC). [1] Dr. Deborah Knapp of Purdue University School of Veterinary
Medicine has commented "TCC usually occurs in older dogs
(average age 11 years) and is more common in females (2:1 ratio of
females to males)." [1] Symptoms of TCC are blood in the urine,
straining to urinate, and frequent urination although owners
noticing any of these symptoms should also be aware that the same
symptoms may also be indicative of a urinary tract infection.
Veterinary assistance should be sought, and an ultrasound should be requested to confirm.
[1]
The most common and effective form of treatment for TCC is
Piroxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that "allows
the cancer cells to kill themselves." [1] In order to help
prevent cancer in a dog, an owner should ensure that their dog has
minimal exposure to herbicides,
pesticides, solvents and cigarette smoke; use caution when treating dogs
with some flea medications; provide a
healthy, vitamin-rich diet (low in
carbohydrates, high in vegetables) and plenty of exercise. [1]
Two other genetic health concerns in the breed are von Willebrand disease (vWD) and
craniomandibular
osteopathy (CMO); Scottie cramp,
patellar luxation and cerebellar abiotrophy are also
sometimes seen in this breed. [1] Scottish Terrier owners are
advised to have DNA tests performed to screen
for von Willebrand's disease. Scotties typically live between
11 and 13 years. [2]
5. Famous Scotties
Barney, the Scottish Terrier belonging to President George W. Bush, on the presidential stand.
Barney, the Scottish Terrier belonging to President
George W. Bush, on the presidential stand.
The Scottie is the only breed of dog that has lived in the
White House three times. [1]
President Franklin D.
Roosevelt was renowned for owning a Scottie named Fala. [1] Fala was a gift to the President
from his cousin, Margaret Stuckley. The President loved Fala so
much that he rarely went anywhere without him. Roosevelt had
several Scotties before Fala including one named Duffy and another
one named Mr. Duffy. [1]
More recently, President George W.
Bush has owned two Scottish terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley. Popular in American culture due to the Christmas show starring these dogs which is broadcast each year. Politicians line up to star in these shows in order to appeal to the lowest-common denominator of US society.
Other famous people who are known to have owned Scotties
include: Humphrey Bogart;
Bette Davis; Julie Andrews; Liza Minnelli; E.B. White; Queen
Victoria; Ronald Reagan;
Theodore Roosevelt; Dorothy Lamour; Eva Braun and Shirley Temple among others. [1]
A famous fictional Scottie is Jock from the Disney feature film Lady and the Tramp, where he
acted as the retired captain with a Scottish tartan overcoat. In
1955, when the movie was originally released, Jock became one of
the most popular dog names of the time. [1] A Scottish Terrier and
a Westhighland White Terrier are also featured on the Black & White whisky label.
[1]
A Scottie dog is also renowned for featuring in the popular
board game, Monopoly, as a player token. When the
game was first created in the 1930s Scotties were one of the most
popular pets in the United States. It is also one of the most
popular Monopoly game tokens, according to Matt Collins, vice
president of marketing for Hasbro. [1]
In May 2007, Carnegie
Mellon University officially named the Scottish Terrier its
official mascot. [1] The Scottie had been a long-running unofficial
mascot of the university, whose founder's Scottish heritage is
also honored by the official athletic nickname of
"Tartans." [1]
Founded in 1889, Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia uses
the Scottie as their mascot.
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
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