Scottish Terrier
About the Scottish Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 10-11" |
| Weight | 19-22 lbs |
| Coat Type | Wire |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
30 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,200-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,300/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Scottish Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Apartment Living
- Guard Dog
- Allergy Sufferers
- Working Professionals
May Not Be Ideal For
- First-Time Owners
Guides for your Scottish Terrier
The story behind the Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier descends from the rough working terriers of the Scottish Highlands, used for generations to root foxes, badgers, and vermin out of rocky dens and farm buildings. The various Highland terriers were long lumped together, and the modern Scottie was defined in the late nineteenth century, with breeders in the Aberdeen area so influential that the breed was for a time called the Aberdeen Terrier. It reached England and then America by the 1880s, where the American Kennel Club recognized it soon after. The breed became a twentieth-century icon of advertising and politics — several U.S. presidents kept Scotties, most famously Franklin Roosevelt's Fala — while remaining a spirited earthdog at heart.
Originally bred for: Vermin hunting, Den work, Companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Scottish Terrier
Sturdy, short-legged and seriously food-motivated, the Scottie keeps best condition on carefully measured small-breed meals. Extra weight burdens a long back and heavy front, so count treats within the daily allowance and keep the outline compact.
Watch for: No universal food allergy, though individual dogs show itchy skin or ear trouble their owners attribute to diet. The long beard collects food and wants cleaning to prevent irritation. Let a veterinarian direct elimination testing.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Scottish Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.