Scottish Terrier

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated August 17, 2009)

There is no recorded history of the Scottish Terrier prior to 1879, the year they were first exhibited as a distinct breed. The following year the dogs known in the present-day pedigrees were firmly entrenched as true show Scottish Terriers. The antiquity of the ancestry of the breed is unassailable as it is certain that the Scottish Terrier owes its origin to the Highland Terrier. From the Highland Terrier came the various Scotch breeds; the Skye, the Cairn, West Highland White Terrier, and even the Yorkshire.

In Stonehenge's The Dogs of the British Isles (1867) no mention is made of Scottish Terriers, but the illustration facing Chapter Five, "terriers not being Skyes, Dandies, Fox or Toys," shows a picture of a dog, seated on a barrel, holding a rat in his mouth. The dog bears a remarkable resemblance to the modern Scottish Terrier, but is given no breed name. He is described as a good, rough-and-ready dog, rough headed, lion hearted, never to die in debt, and equivalent to about two dozen rat traps!

The Scottish Terrier is stable and steady. He is alert and spirited, displaying great love and gentility with people but sometimes aggressiveness with other dogs. He has been nicknamed the "diehard" due to his rugged and powerful demeanor.

The coat is rather short, about two inches with a dense undercoat while the outer coat is intensely hard and wiry. The height for the Scottish Terrier should be about ten inches for either sex with the weight varying from 18-22 pound.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Organizing Your Desk Space

An organized desk is a vital necessity for today's individual, whether at home or at work. Here are some quick and easy ...

Discover More

Ways to Better Organize Your Jewelry

Jewelry can quickly become a tangled and chaotic mess. Here are four ways to help you better organize your jewelry.

Discover More

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher is fearless yet affectionate. He is an ideal pet for the individual seeking a lively, alert, and ...

Discover More
More Pet Tips

Wire Fox Terrier

The Wire Fox Terrier is brave, devoted and intelligent. He has been widely used, as his name implies, for hunting fox as ...

Discover More

West Highland White Terrier

Rugged yet lighthearted, the West Highland White Terrier is an ideal house pet. He is merry, alert, and self-reliant.

Discover More

Smooth Fox Terrier

Used as a sporting dog, the Smooth Fox Terrier has keen sight and scenting abilities. He is very popular in this country ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 5 + 9?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)