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August 31st, 2009 by KittyKitty

The Scottish Terrier also often called the Scottie or the Highland or Aberdeen Terrier is well known for its characteristic terrier personality. There are four other Scottish Terrier breeds, West Highland White Terriers, Dandie Dinmont and Skye, Cairn.
The characteristics and personality and more importantly the dog care of the Scottie comes from its historic roots.You should compare characteristics with with the other top dog breeds, of which there are many.
The Aberdeen 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 courageous that they were given the nickname “Diehards” and were the idea for the name of his Regiment, The Royal Scots, “Dumbarton’s Diehards”.
As always it is difficult to know the real origins of the Scottie, but it was bred for clearing small rodents in Scotland for centuries. It could be the oldest of the five Scottish Terrier breeds and there are some historical evidence dating back to the 16th Century.
The origin of the name “terrier” is the Latin terra denoting “earth”. The Highland Terrier was a hunter where these petite legged, sturdy dogs were bred for the reason of rooting out small pest animals such as badgers, foxes and rats out of their burrows.
Scottish Terriers appearance is  characterised by long fur, heavy eyebrows and whiskers. The wiry coat exists in many colors, including black, brindle or wheaten of any shade. Scotties with ‘Wheaten’ (straw to nearly white) coats sometimes occur, but should not be confused with the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier or West Highland White Terrier.
They are sturdy, with a muscular body and a long neck. A Scottish Terrier has a long head in proportion to its body which averages about 10 or 11 inches high. The Highland Terrier has  erect ears and tail. Scottish Terrierwere bred with strong tails so that their owners could pull them out of tunnels when they were wedged after tunnelling after vermin and voles.
Scottiehave small, bright almond-shaped and dark eyes.
The Scottie personality is one of freedom and spirit. Often people say a Scottie imagines he is an Irish Wolfhound in height! To the extent that he is totally fearless that often appears idiotic in the face of a much larger dog, when he realises that he is less than a foot in height. Dog walkers love to walk them, they are never intimated by the larger dogs!
Scottish Terrier have similar height and weight for both sexes, roughly 25 cm (9.8 in), and the length of back from withers 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). Highland Terrier are about 11–15 inches (28–38 cm) in height.
Scottish Terrierare very attentive, playful and confident. Scottish Terriers typically live about eleven years.
Scotties, whilst being very loving, can also be particularly inflexible. Because of this stubbornness, a Highland Terrier needs resolved, but calm handling from a puppy or it will rule the family. Every new Scottish Terrier addition should have a clear puppy training plan.
The Scottie makes a great watchdog because it normally only barks when necessary and generally only for strangers. Dog socialisation is vital as it is a brave breed that is often aggressive around other dogs unless educated and introduced to different dogs whilst a puppy or young.
Because the Aberdeen Terrier were  bred to hunt and fight badgers and other vermin they are  prone to dig and chase small pests, such as Squirrels, rats, and mice. Yet another reason to recommend that they are generally walked on a leash.
Whilst Scottish Terriers are generally a healthy breed they do have a greater chance of developing some cancers than other purebreds. Studies have identified six cancers that Aberdeen Terriers are more likely to be at risk of ( when compared to other breeds) are: (in descending order) bladder cancer and other transitional cell carcinomas of the lower urinary tract (more normal in more mature dogs and more common in females so watch for blood in the urine, straining to urinate and often urinating – and search veterinary assistance); 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; use caution when treating dogs with some flea medications; provide 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, normally easy bruising, nosebleeds and gums that bleed.
The second is craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO); sometimes  known as lion’s jaw, that created extensive bony changes in the mandible and skull. Normally occurring between the ages of 3 and 8 months. The lesions stop growing after twelve months or so, and can regress. The solid swelling of the jaw, drooling, pain, and problems in eating. This is also an inherited disease and if major, could be difficult for the dog.
Because of these inherited diseases it is highly recommended to buy direct from a breeder, who can show he has not had a problem with these diseases.
Famous Scotties include former President George W. Bushs’ Barney and Roosevelts – Fala. Infact the  Scottie is the only breed of dog that has lived in the White House more than three times.
Other famous people who are known to have owned the Aberdeen Terrier  include: Humphrey Bogart; Julie Andrews; Queen Victoria; Ronald Reagan; Shirley Temple; Tatum O’Neal owned a Scottie. She was said to be so upset by her dog’s death to cancer and old age that she relapsed into drugs.
The Scottish Terrier is also a .
 A Aberdeen Terrier and a West Highland White Terrier are featured 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 personality per lb, but you will need to train and be firm with your Scottie.