Scottish Terrier
Height25–28 cm (10–11 in)
Weight8–10 kg (18–22 lbs)
TypeTerrier
Life Expectancy12–15 yrs
OriginScotland
A dignified, independent terrier with a distinctive beard and eyebrows. Scotties are bold and spirited despite their small size, known for unwavering loyalty and a confident strut.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
4/5
Trainability
2/5
Playfulness
3/5
Energy Level
3/5
Social
Good with Kids
3/5
Good with Dogs
2/5
Good with Strangers
2/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
4/5
Exercise Needs
3/5
Watchdog Ability
5/5
Barking Level
3/5
Care
Shedding
2/5
Grooming Needs
4/5
Health Robustness
3/5
Where Are Scottish Terriers From?
Scottish Terriers are one of the oldest Highland terrier breeds, developed in Aberdeen, Scotland, to hunt badgers, foxes, and rats in rocky, rough terrain. Their compact, low-slung build and wiry coat protected them underground, and their fierce independence let them work without direction from their handler. Scotties became icons of American culture when Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish Terrier, Fala, became the most famous presidential pet in history. A statue of Fala sits alongside FDR at his memorial in Washington, D.C.
What Is It Like Living With a Scottish Terrier?
Scottish Terriers are dignified, independent, and have a dry sense of humor that terrier enthusiasts find irresistible. They don’t seek approval from strangers and won’t perform tricks to impress guests. A Scottie’s affection is given on their terms — they’ll sit beside you, lean against your leg, and follow you around the house, but they won’t beg for attention. They’re territorial, alert watchdogs who take home security seriously despite weighing only 18–22 pounds. Scottish Terriers can be aloof with other dogs and may be aggressive toward unfamiliar ones.
How Much Exercise Does a Scottish Terrier Need?
Scottish Terriers need 30–45 minutes of daily exercise. They enjoy walks, backyard exploration, and earthdog trials where their natural digging instincts are rewarded. Despite their small stature, they have genuine stamina and can hike moderate distances. Mental stimulation through puzzle toys and training keeps them engaged, though training a Scottie requires patience — they comply when convinced, not when commanded.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Scottish Terrier?
The harsh, wiry outer coat and soft undercoat need professional grooming every six to eight weeks and regular brushing between appointments. Hand-stripping preserves the coat’s proper texture. Health concerns include Scottie cramp (a unique neurological condition causing leg spasms during excitement or exercise), bladder cancer (occurring at 18–20 times the rate of other breeds), von Willebrand’s disease, patellar luxation, and jaw abnormalities (craniomandibular osteopathy).
Are Scottish Terriers Healthy?
Scottish Terriers suit owners who appreciate independent-minded dogs, apartment dwellers who want a compact watchdog, and people who enjoy the grooming process. They’re not ideal for families with very young children (Scotties don’t tolerate rough handling), multi-dog households, or owners who expect eager compliance. The surprising fact: the Scottie piece in Monopoly is consistently the most popular game token worldwide. The breed’s iconic silhouette has made it one of the most recognizable dogs in commercial design, appearing on everything from scotch bottles to Christmas ornaments.
Our Honest Take on the Scottish Terrier
The Scottie is independent, dignified, and deeply opinionated — this is not a dog that wants to please you, and treating it like a Golden in a black coat creates resentful, snappy adults. Cancer rates are the breed's biggest unspoken problem.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Treating training like a Lab would expect. Scotties are sensitive to harsh tones but contemptuous of repetitive drilling — short, varied sessions with high-value treats work; nothing else does.
- 2Ignoring cancer statistics. Scotties have one of the highest bladder cancer rates of any breed (18–20x the average); avoiding lawn herbicides reduces risk significantly.
- 3Skipping CMO (craniomandibular osteopathy) awareness. Puppies 4–8 months old can develop painful jaw bone overgrowth; familiar vets catch it early, oblivious ones miss it.
- 4Letting the harsh coat be clipped. Clipping (vs. hand-stripping) softens the coat permanently, increases shedding, and changes the iconic silhouette within a year.
Who Should Think Twice
Skip the Scottish Terrier if you have small pets (the prey drive is serious), want a dog that adores strangers, or expect easy housebreaking — Scotties are stubborn about it. Also avoid if you can't find a hand-stripper in your area or aren't willing to learn it yourself. Households with rough toddlers should pass; Scotties have low tolerance for handling and will warn, then bite.
Real Costs in 2026
Scottish Terrier puppies from reputable breeders cost $1,500–$2,800 in 2026. Annual costs are around $2,200–$3,000, including hand-stripping or grooming ($400–$700/year). Pet insurance ($45–$65/month) is strongly recommended given the bladder cancer rate alone — treatment runs $5,000–$10,000. Avoid lawn chemicals over the dog's lifetime; the published research is clear and damning.
Living With a Scottish Terrier: Year by Year
Scottish Terrier puppyhood is dignified, stubborn, and surprisingly serious — these are ancient Highland badger dogs, and the puppy phase shows the breed's defining trait early: a courtly self-possession combined with classic terrier independence. By month 4 most Scotty puppies are showing strong opinions about household routines, and the breed's nickname 'die-hard' (reportedly bestowed by President Theodore Roosevelt) reflects the tenacious, self-directed temperament. Adolescence (10-18 months) brings same-sex dog intolerance, sometimes severe, and a developing reserve with strangers. Prime adulthood (2-12) is what defines the breed: aloof with strangers, fiercely devoted to one or two family members, courageous, and uniquely 'cat-like' in self-direction among terriers. The surprise for most owners is the seriousness — Scotties are not clownish like Westies or Cairns; they carry themselves with dignity that owners often describe as old-soul. Senior years are typically 11-13; bladder cancer (Scottie Cramp, a movement disorder) and craniomandibular osteopathy are breed-specific concerns to test for.
The Training Reality
Moderately trainable but distinctly stubborn — Scotties are intelligent but evaluate every request and decide whether compliance benefits them. Coren rankings place them low (around 96th of 138 breeds tested), which understates pet trainability but accurately reflects the willfulness. Housetraining by month 5-6. Marker training with very high-value food rewards works for short sessions; pure repetition produces immediate disengagement. The realistic ceiling is solid pet obedience, earthdog trials, and barn hunt — agility and competition obedience are not realistic goals for most. The training pitfall is the same-sex dog intolerance; multi-dog households often fail with Scotties, particularly with two same-sex Scotties. The breakthrough most owners need is treating Scotties as collaborators with strong opinions rather than as biddable students. Skip harsh methods entirely; Scotties hold grudges for weeks and shut down dramatically after corrections they consider unfair.
A Day in the Life
Morning is a 30-45 minute walk at moderate pace; Scotties have moderate energy and adapt well to apartment living if walked daily. Daytime they patrol the house, alert-bark at outdoor sounds (less than many terriers), and nap in dignified positions on chosen cushions. The harsh double coat sheds minimally but requires hand-stripping twice yearly ($75-110 per session) plus weekly brushing of the beard and leg furnishings — without it, the coat goes soft and loses the iconic Scotty silhouette. Most Scotties sleep 12-14 hours. Evening is another 20-30 minute walk plus indoor companionship. The quirk owners discover: Scotties 'reserve' — they choose specific household members for affection and visibly tolerate others. They are also notably food-motivated for treats specifically, often refusing kibble in favor of holdout-bargaining for human food.
How Scottish Terriers Compare to Similar Breeds
Compared to a Cairn Terrier, Scotties are heavier-built, more dignified, and substantially more reserved with strangers — Cairns are friendlier extroverts. Compared to a West Highland White Terrier, Scotties are quieter, calmer, and more selective with affection; Westies are louder and more universally friendly. Compared to a Skye Terrier (a similar Highland cousin), Scotties are more available and slightly less reserved; Skyes are rarer and more aloof. Compared to a Sealyham Terrier (another Welsh-Highland cousin), Scotties are more available; Sealyhams are nearly extinct as a pet breed. If you want a dignified, reserved terrier with strong family devotion, the Scottie is the right choice; if you want a friendlier, more sociable small terrier, a Cairn or Westie is dramatically more extroverted.
Great For
- Apartment living
- Allergy-conscious homes
- Home security
Think Twice If
- You want low grooming effort
- You're a first-time owner
- You have frequent guests
Are Scottish Terriers Prone to Health Issues?
Scottish Terriers are predisposed to: scottie cramp, von Willebrand's disease, bladder cancer, craniomandibular osteopathy. Regular vet visits and a healthy diet help prevent common issues.
Health Robustness
3/5
How Much Does a Scottish Terrier Cost?
Purchase Price
$1,000–$2,500
Monthly Food
$35
Annual Vet
$500
Annual Grooming
$300
Est. First Year
~$2,970
Est. Annual
~$1,220
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Scottish Terrier cost?
A Scottish Terrier puppy typically costs $1,000–$2,500. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $2,970, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $1,220.
How long do Scottish Terriers live?
Scottish Terriers have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Common health concerns include scottie cramp, von Willebrand's disease, bladder cancer, craniomandibular osteopathy.
Are Scottish Terriers good with kids?
Scottish Terriers score 3/5 for being good with children. They can do well with children when properly socialized, though supervision is recommended.
Do Scottish Terriers shed a lot?
Scottish Terriers have a shedding level of 2/5. They are relatively low shedders but still need occasional grooming.
Are Scottish Terriers good for apartments?
Scottish Terriers score 4/5 for apartment friendliness. They adapt very well to apartment living and don't require a large yard.