Scottish Terrier
Dignified, bearded and gloriously stubborn — the aloof little laird.
Vital stats
| Size | Small · 25–28 cm |
| Weight | 8.5–10.5 kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–13 years |
| Energy | Moderate — 30–60 min/day |
| Shedding | Low |
| Coat | Hard wiry coat with beard · black, brindle, wheaten |
| Group | Terrier · FCI №73 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Sent alone into badger setts and rock crevices, the Scottie needed nerve, decisiveness and no committee — and it has never surrendered any of the three. At home that means a self-contained, watchful companion who loves its few people deeply, negotiates rather than obeys, and treats squirrels as unfinished business.
Habits & quirks
The Scottie stare
A long, level look that weighs your request before declining it.
Excavation works
Flowerbeds are provisional; the digging instinct is permanent.
One-clan heart
Reserved with the world, quietly devoted to its own few people.
The beard audit
Water bowls, soup and rain all leave evidence in the whiskers.
Care
| Grooming | Hand-strip or clip the wiry coat every few weeks, and comb the beard and furnishings often. |
| Training | Short, positive, varied sessions win; repetition and harsh corrections entrench the stubbornness. |
| Exercise | A couple of brisk on-lead walks plus garden patrol — prey drive makes off-lead risky. |
| Health | Know the breed's quirks: 'Scottie cramp' is harmless, but report any urinary changes to the vet early. |
Common questions
Are Scottish Terriers affectionate?
Loyal and loving with their family, but independent and dignified rather than clingy, and aloof with strangers. They bond deeply with one or two people.
Are Scottish Terriers easy to train?
They're clever but famously stubborn and independent. Short, positive, consistent sessions work best; harsh methods just entrench the terrier obstinacy.
Do Scottish Terriers shed?
Barely — the hard wiry coat holds its hair, which is why it needs stripping or clipping every few weeks instead. Regular grooming is the trade for a nearly shed-free house.