Information on AKC Scottish Terrier Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier, often called the "Scottie," is best recognized for its distinctive profile and hard, wiry, weather-resistant outer coat in a black, brindle or wheaten color. Its beard, eyebrows, legs and lower body furnishings are traditionally shaggy. Like many breeds in the Terrier Group, Scotties are small yet strong and known as fast, alert and playful dogs. The Scottish Terrier is the only breed of dog that has lived in the White House three times, with Presidents Roosevelt and George W. Bush.
A Look Back
Naturally a "digger" at heart, the Scottie was originally bred to hunt and kill vermin on farms. King James VI, known to adore the breed, is said to be responsible for the rise in popularity in Scotland during his reign. Scotties were introduced to America in the 1890’s and continue to remain a common fixture in American households.
Right Breed for You?
Scotties thrive as house pets and are gentle, loving members of their families. Their spirited natures require obedience training, and they need regular exercise (on leash, as the chase instinct is strong). The Scottie coat requires regular brushing and clipping to maintain the characteristic breed outline.
If you are considering purchasing a Scottish Terrier puppy, learn more here.
- Terrier Group; AKC recognized in 1885.
- Ideal height is 10 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing from 18 to 22 pounds.
- Fox/vermin hunter.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Scottish Terrier Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Scottish Terrier is a small, compact, short-legged, sturdily-built dog of
good bone and substance. His head is long in proportion to his size. He has
a hard, wiry, weather-resistant coat and a thick-set, cobby body which is hung
between short, heavy legs. These characteristics, joined with his very special
keen, piercing, "varminty" expression, and his erect ears and tail
are salient features of the breed. The Scottish Terrier's bold, confident, dignified
aspect exemplifies power in a small package.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The Scottish Terrier should have a thick body and heavy bone. The principal
objective must be symmetry and balance without exaggeration. Equal consideration
shall be given to height, weight, length of back and length of head. Height
at withers for either sex should be about 10 inches. The length of back from
withers to set-on of tail should be approximately 11 inches. Generally, a well-balanced
Scottish Terrier dog should weigh from 19 to 22 pounds and a bitch from 18 to
21 pounds.
Head
The head should be long in proportion to the overall length and size of the
dog. In profile, the skull and muzzle should give the appearance of two parallel
planes. The skull should be long and of medium width, slightly domed
and covered with short, hard hair. In profile, the skull should appear flat.
There should be a slight but definite stop between the skull and muzzle at eye
level, allowing the eyes to be set in under the brow, contributing to proper
Scottish Terrier expression. The skull should be smooth with no prominences
or depressions and the cheeks should be flat and clean. The muzzle should
be approximately equal to the length of skull with only a slight taper to the
nose. The muzzle should be well filled in under the eye, with no evidence
of snippiness. A correct Scottish Terrier muzzle should fill an average man's
hand. The nose should be black, regardless of coat color, and of good
size, projecting somewhat over the mouth and giving the impression that the
upper jaw is longer than the lower. The teeth should be large and evenly
spaced, having either a scissor or level bite, the former preferred. The jaw
should be square, level and powerful. Undershot or overshot bites should be
penalized. The eyes should be set wide apart and well in under the brow.
They should be small, bright and piercing, and almond-shaped not round. The
color should be dark brown or nearly black, the darker the better. The ears
should be small, prick, set well up on the skull and pointed, but never cut.
They should be covered with short velvety hair. From the front, the outer edge
of the ear should form a straight line up from the side of the skull. The use,
size, shape and placement of the ear and its erect carriage are major elements
of the keen, alert, intelligent Scottish Terrier expression.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck should be moderately short, strong, thick and muscular, blending smoothly
into well laid back shoulders. The neck must never be so short as to appear
clumsy. The body should be moderately short with ribs extending well
back into a short, strong loin, deep flanks and very muscular hindquarters.
The ribs should be well sprung out from the spine, forming a broad, strong back,
then curving down and inward to form a deep body that would be nearly heart-shaped
if viewed in cross-section. The topline of the back should be firm and
level. The chest should be broad, very deep and well let down between
the forelegs. The forechest should extend well in front of the legs and drop
well down into the brisket. The chest should not be flat or concave, and the
brisket should nicely fill an average man's slightly-cupped hand. The lowest
point of the brisket should be such that an average man's fist would fit under
it with little or no overhead clearance. The tail should be about seven
inches long and never cut. It should be set on high and carried erectly, either
vertical or with a slight curve forward, but not over the back. The tail should
be thick at the base, tapering gradually to a point and covered with short,
hard hair.
Forequarters
The shoulders should be well laid back and moderately well knit at the withers.
The forelegs should be very heavy in bone, straight or slightly bent with elbows
close to the body, and set in under the shoulder blade with a definite forechest
in front of them. Scottish Terriers should not be out at the elbows. The forefeet
should be larger than the hind feet, round, thick and compact with strong nails.
The front feet should point straight ahead, but a slight "toeing out"
is acceptable. Dew claws may be removed.
Hindquarters
The thighs should be very muscular and powerful for the size of the dog with
the stifles well bent and the legs straight from hock to heel. Hocks should
be well let down and parallel to each other.
Coat
The Scottish Terrier should have a broken coat. It is a hard, wiry outer coat
with a soft, dense undercoat. The coat should be trimmed and blended into the
furnishings to give a distinct Scottish Terrier outline. The dog should be presented
with sufficient coat so that the texture and density may be determined. The
longer coat on the beard, legs and lower body may be slightly softer than the
body coat but should not be or appear fluffy.
Color
Black, wheaten or brindle of any color. Many black and brindle dogs have sprinklings
of white or silver hairs in their coats which are normal and not to be penalized.
White can be allowed only on the chest and chin and that to a slight extent
only.
Gait
The gait of the Scottish Terrier is very characteristic of the breed. It is
not the square trot or walk desirable in the long-legged breeds. The forelegs
do not move in exact parallel planes; rather, in reaching out, the forelegs
incline slightly inward because of the deep broad forechest. Movement should
be free, agile and coordinated with powerful drive from the rear and good reach
in front. The action of the rear legs should be square and true and, at the
trot, both the hocks and stifles should be flexed with a vigorous motion. When
the dog is in motion, the back should remain firm and level.
Temperament
The Scottish Terrier should be alert and spirited but also stable and steady-going.
He is a determined and thoughtful dog whose "heads up, tails up" attitude
in the ring should convey both fire and control. The Scottish Terrier, while
loving and gentle with people, can be aggressive with other dogs. He should
exude ruggedness and power, living up to his nickname, the "Diehard."
Penalties
Soft coat; curly coat; round, protruding or light eyes; overshot or
undershot jaws; obviously oversize or undersize; shyness or timidity; upright
shoulders; lack of reach in front or drive in rear; stiff or stilted movement;
movement too wide or too close in rear; too narrow in front or rear; out
at the elbow; lack of bone and substance; low set tail; lack of pigment
in the nose; coarse head; and failure to show with head and tail up are
faults to be penalized.
NO JUDGE SHOULD PUT TO WINNERS OR BEST OF BREED ANY SCOTTISH TERRIER
NOT SHOWING REAL TERRIER CHARACTER IN THE RING.
Scale of Points
Skull
Muzzle
Eyes
Ears
Neck
Chest
Body
Legs and Feet
Tail
Coat
Size
General Appearance
Total |
5
5
5
10
5
5
15
10
5
15
10
10
100 |
Approved October 12, 1993
Effective November 30, 1993
