So you Think you Want a Scottie!

    MacTavish was a joy in my life. The first Scottie of my very own, he was feisty, stubborn, devoted, aloof, loving, funny, proud, loyal, greedy, annoying, frustrating and totally Scottie. He chased (and sometimes caught) any small furry animal that moved within his range of vision and excavatged huge holes in the lawn and the flower garden. He was black and scruffy and he preferred being dirty. In fact he loved to roll in the foulest smelling stuff he could find and then insisted on sleeping on the bed. He was something else! but he was all Scottie.

True to His Roots

    You can tell a lot about the Scottie just by looking at the breed name, the Scottish Terrier. He was first known in the bleak and wild Scottish Highlands as a working dog-a hunter of foxes, badgers, weasels, rats and any other vermin which were unwanted around the Highland farm. In the forbidding and harsh environment of a Scottish farm of 200 years ago the Scottie had to earn his place in the world and he did it with the courage, the toughness, the determination and the resilience of the true Scot. He is also a terrier (from the Latin "terra" or earth), bred to be a fierce and feearless fighter but small, strong and energetic enough to hunt his prey through the cairns and barns of the farm and to carry the hunt underground if necessary. It takes a special brand of courage to challenge an enemy in its den and this terrier spirit was prized in the Highlands. As the decades passed to more modern times, and he need for his hunting skills gradually lessened, the Scottie's spirit and gameness continued to be recognized at places such as livestock and dog shows throughout Scotland and England and the modern breed began to emerge. The history of the development of the Scottie from his roots to the modern dog is well worth the reading.

The Diehard

    A small dog the Scottie undoubtedly is, but you will never convince him of that. His 20 to 22 pounds are packed into a compact, short-legged and sturdy package only 10 or so inches high at he shoulder, but he still looks down his long and bearded nose on other dogs. From his German Shepard size teeth in powerful jaws to the jauntily erect and useful (as a handle) tail, he is a serious fellow who KNOWS he is a big dog. His keen, piercing expression from underneath the bushy eyebrows dominates his attitude and brings him "eye to eye" with the world

    With that same expression, he looks down that same nose on many of the ways of humans. Born with an innate knowledge that his way is the right way, he can be accepting of things new, such as housetraining, walking on leash, coming on command and similar demands on his time, but often will not see the immediate need of such activity. He will usually comply but only after serious consideration and then only at his own pace. For instance, he understands the need for peace and quiet around the home, and appreciates such things himself, but warning the household of intruders even if that intruder is only a chipmunk, is his birthright and he will exercise that right when he sees fit. The home quickly becomes his territory and he is very protective of what is his and all who live within. While not aggressive towards people, the Scottie will challenge other dogs unless they show a proper degree of respect and will "show others off the grounds" no matter what the size of the intruder.

    Part of the charm of the Scottie, however, is his particular realationship with people. He is no "hail-fellow-well-met", and he is certainly no lapdog. To him, life is serious, to be met with dignity and there must be a purpose to activity-he is not given to aimless frolicking. He is naturally aloof and accepting of few friends outside his family, but to his family his love and devotion is deep and life long. His independent spirit may try your patience but it is this very independence which will endear him to you in the end. He has a strong desire for approval and an extremely sensitive nature which adapts to your moods. This sensitivity, in particular to praise and blame will forge a bond that will last a lifetime.

    He loves children and will quickly become a child's friend and confidante. He must be taught to get along with children, however, just as they must be taught to respect him. His tolerance for hair pulling and assorted minor abuse is not unlimited and he will correct a child who has mistreated him. Once taught the Scottie's boundaries, however, a loyal and life long companion is the child's reward.

The Modern Scottie

    In the last century the breed underwent all of the usual administrative indignities, such as classification, standardization, incorporation and publication, and breeders in many countries have "modified" the appearance of the dog over the years. But, for the most part the Scottie remains true to his Highland heritage. The beard may be longer, as are the "skirts", and the head is longer and leaner, but he is essentially the tough, courageous, compact little dog with the big attitude that he has always been. Apart from his serious and dignified outlook on life, the Scottie's Highland legacy shows itself in a number of ways.

    The Scottie is a healthy breed. The "survival of the fittest" doctrine which characterized the early years has left the dog with a life span of 12 to 14 years-and healthy years at that. There are few genetic disorders which affect the breed and fewer still which threaten life. The most serious of these is a bleeding disorder called von Willebrand's Disease, which prevents normal blood clotting. Fortunately, a genetic marker has been found for vWD and a test developed which can pinpoint affected dogs and carriers of the disorder. Responsible breeders are testing their dogs and working to eradicate the disorder completely. Another genetic condition, specific to the breed, is Scotty Cramp, a neuromuscular disorder which causes difficulty in walking and running. A benign condition, it is neither life threatening or painful to the dog, but it is disturbing to people watching an afflicted animal. Research is underway to find a genetic marker for Scotty Cramp. While other conditions and diseases can be present at times, a good relationship with a good vet and sensible care and feeding will keep the Scottie happy and healthy.

    The Scottie's coat is another legacy from the Highlands. It is a double coat-a short, soft and dense undercoat for warmth and a longer, hard and weather shedding outer coat. The Scottie does not shed this coat, so that annual annoyance is avoided but the double coat requires care, regular care, and visits to the beauty salon three or four times a year. The coat colour was originally probably a sandy shade but as colour didn't matter to the dogs working ability we now see Scotties in a variety of shades. While most people think of Scotties as black dogs, this is probably not an original colour and today's dogs reflect the original lack of bias, ranging from black through various shades of brindle to the sandy or wheaten colour.

    While not a dog aggressive to people, he is an excellent watchdog. His territorial instincts are finely honed and his voice, a sharp but low-pitched bark, is distinctive and certainly gives the impression of a larger dog. There may be times when the voice is not particularly appreciated but it is rarely used unless required. The Scottie will not "cry wolf", but when he does sound off, there is a reason.

Is the Scottie for you?

    What the Scottie needs is someone who appreciates his special character, who is understanding of his independence and is tolerant ofthe transgressions inherent in his nature. While the Scottie can be easily recognized from the many commercial /images, he is, like the Scottish made liquid inside his favourite bottle, an acquired taste. Rresearch the little fellow well and then look at your own circumstances. Do you have the time? Do you have the real estate? Scotties can live quite happily in a nice snug apartment, but walks and grooming will become more of an issue. A fenced-in yard is ideal, but remember, the Scottie is a powerful digging machine and if left alone will be under the fence and after the local squirrel in a flash. Are the kids old enough? Scotties and kids are a good mix, but a Scottie puppy and a toddler will be a lot of work and kids need to be old enough to understand that the dogs is a real one. Once you are satisfied that the Scottie is for you, and you are right for the Scottie, contact Scottie Breed Clubs and Rescue organizations for help in finding breeders and then talk to several breeders. Visit the kennels and see the parents of the pups and the pups themselves. Ask the difficult questions of the breeder and make sure that you are comfortable with the answers. Take your time and when you are satisfied with all aspects, you are ready for a Scottie.

Enjoy your Scottie

    They are such distinctive and charming little dogs that people from all walks of life fall hard for them once they are in the family. United States President's love them and use them to appear more approachable, entertainers love them and use them in their acts and writers love them and write books about them. My MacTavish was my constant companion for over 13 years. He accepted (eventually) my bride into the family and then enthusiasticallty helped to raise and train the kids. He was a fixture in may neighbourhoods over the yers and when he passed on he was mourned by his family and the many friends he had won over his lifetime. He has been succeeded by many Scotties, all of them the same, in many ways, and all of them different, but all Scotties. Enjoy yours!