Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier is one of the most recognisable of all small dogs — its distinctive silhouette of erect ears, long beard, and short muscular legs has been used in everything from the Monopoly board game to presidential memorabilia.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United Kingdom
Lifespan
11–13 years
Weight
8–10 kg (18–22 lbs)
Height
25–28 cm (10–11 in)
Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — quality small-breed kibble; avoid artificial additives
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Scottish Terrier is one of the most recognisable of all small dogs — its distinctive silhouette of erect ears, long beard, and short muscular legs has been used in everything from the Monopoly board game to presidential memorabilia. Developed in the Scottish Highlands to hunt fox, badger, and vermin in rocky burrows, the Scottie is an earth dog of formidable determination and independence. Five US presidents have owned Scottish Terriers, including Franklin D. Roosevelt whose Scottie Fala is the only presidential pet to have a memorial in Washington DC.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Scottie has a distinctive profile — long head with a profuse beard, small erect ears, short powerful legs, and a high-set tail carried upright. The harsh, wiry double coat comes in black (most common), wheaten, or brindle. The coat requires hand-stripping or professional clipping to maintain its characteristic shape.
Grooming
High
Shedding
Low
Brushing
3-4x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-4-6-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Scotties are independent, dignified, and fiercely self-possessed. They are loyal to their family but on their own terms — affectionate when they choose to be rather than on demand. Their terrier stubbornness makes them challenging to train; they assess the merit of each request before complying. They tend to be one-person dogs and can be intolerant of other dogs and strangers.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
3/5Playfulness
3/5Protectiveness
4/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 25°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
30%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
aloofness, barking, digging, aggression when provoked, stubbornness increase
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Moderate daily exercise of 30–45 minutes. The wiry double coat requires professional hand-stripping or clipping every 8 weeks and brushing several times weekly. The beard collects food and debris and needs regular cleaning. Early socialisation is critical.
Nutrition Notes
Bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma) rates are 18-20x higher than other breeds — anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich diet may be protective. Avoid known carcinogen exposures (lawn chemicals, certain flea treatments). Moderate calorie needs.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Bladder cancer (TCC) is the breed's defining health tragedy — 18-20x the rate of other breeds. Annual urine cytology and ultrasound from age 6 recommended. Scottie cramp (exercise-induced muscle disorder) — manageable but lifelong. Von Willebrand's disease. Craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO) in puppies. Famous owners include FDR (Fala) and George W. Bush (Barney).
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
700 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
500 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Scotty Cramp is a movement disorder unique to the breed causing muscle stiffness and bunny-hopping gait during exercise. Craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO) is a painful bone growth condition in young Scotties. Von Willebrand's disease, bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma — unusually common in Scotties), and hypothyroidism also occur.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
The Monopoly dog piece. Black most iconic; wheaten and brindle also exist. Professional grooming (hand-stripping for show coat) is expensive. Independent, dignified, not a lap dog — the "Diehard" of the dog world. India: uncommon.
Purchase Price
$1,000 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
Fala, FDR's Scottish Terrier, was so beloved that Roosevelt's political opponents circulated a rumour that he had sent a destroyer to retrieve Fala from an Aleutian island — Roosevelt's subsequent speech defending Fala is considered one of the most effective political speeches in American history.
The Scottish Terrier is one of three dog tokens originally included in the Monopoly board game.
Scotties have one of the highest rates of transitional cell carcinoma (bladder cancer) of any breed — making them the subject of ongoing veterinary oncology research.
