Scottish Terrier
Short legged, harsh coated, and entirely convinced of its own opinion. Bred to go into a den after fox and badger, which takes exactly that temperament.
Overview
The Scottish Terrier is a Highland earth dog bred to go into a den after fox, badger and otter, working alone underground against animals that fought back. That produced a genuinely tough, independent and self reliant dog in a very small package.
It has an unusual health profile: Scotties have a substantially elevated risk of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder compared with other breeds.
Temperament
Independent, dignified and famously stubborn. Scotties are devoted to their own people and aloof with strangers, and they are not demonstrative.
They are among the least biddable terriers and they do not do things to please. They can be scrappy with other dogs and the prey drive is serious. They are also sensitive to being laughed at or handled roughly, and they suit adult households better than boisterous family ones.
Care and grooming
The hard wiry coat needs brushing twice a week plus hand stripping two or three times a year. It should not be clipped, which softens it permanently. They shed very little.
Scottie cramp, a movement disorder, has a DNA test. Von Willebrand's disease and craniomandibular osteopathy also occur. The bladder cancer risk is worth knowing about, and there is evidence that exposure to lawn herbicides raises it further in this breed.
Living and exercise
An hour a day plus play. They are sturdier and more energetic than they look.
A fence sunk into the ground. About twelve years is the expectation.
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