Scottish Terrier puppies

About the Scottish Terrier

The Scottish Terrier was bred in the Highlands to go to ground after fox, badger and vermin, and the short legs, heavy head and hard coat all come from that work. They weigh 8.2 to 10 kg and stand about 25 cm, built low and surprisingly heavy for their size, in a double coat with a harsh wiry outer layer over a dense undercoat. The temperament is bold, dignified and notably independent: loyal to their own people and openly indifferent to everyone else.

Exercise is a good daily walk plus short bursts of play, which suits a small house or a flat. Grooming is the commitment. The coat is ideally hand stripped, best done monthly once it is started, and clipping softens the texture permanently, so a puppy should get used to the process early. They are rated two out of five with other pets and three with children, so supervision, early socialisation and careful introductions matter. Do not expect biddability. A Scottie decides first and complies second.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Scottish Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• von Willebrand disease, detectable by DNA test on breeding stock before mating
• Scottie cramp, a hereditary neuromuscular disorder, diagnosed by clinical observation of the stiff gait and spasms after exercise or excitement
• Portosystemic liver shunt, diagnosed by blood work and imaging such as ultrasound or CT
• Cerebellar abiotrophy, diagnosed by neurological examination and the pattern of progressive incoordination
• Hypothyroidism, detected by a blood test of thyroid hormone levels

Your Scottish Terrier puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Scottish Terrier.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 8.2 to 10 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 10 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other small breeds

More on the Scottish Terrier

Previous: Scottish Deerhound · Next: Sealyham Terrier

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Scottish Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/scottish-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: narujen, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.