Scottish Terrier

The Scottie dog breed has a double coat, with a thick, soft undercoat and a coarse outer coat. This coat doesn’t shed as much as other breeds, but if you want to maintain the Scottie’s classic, shaggy look, your dog will require some careful grooming.

“They’re not a wash-and-wear breed,” Riddle says. “If you’re going to have show dogs, you have to have them hand-stripped.”

Hand-stripping is a process that involves manually removing excess top coat hairs, rather than cutting the hair with clippers. You can learn to do this yourself or take your dog to a professional groomer.

If you want a routine that’s a little less maintenance, you can clip your dog’s coat every six to eight weeks, Finn says, but this will change the coat’s overall appearance and character.

“The top coat is wiry and water-resistant when it’s hand-stripped,” Finn says. “Once you start to clipper in it, it softens the coat. You lose that texture, and it loses its water resistance.”

Other than their coat, a Scottie’s grooming needs are relatively standard:

• Brushing: Brush their coat weekly with a slicker brush to avoid tangles.
• Bathing: Bathe your dog as needed; this will usually be about once a month. Always use a dog-friendly shampoo to avoid drying out your Scottie’s skin.
• Eye care: During bathtime, check your pup’s eyes, and call your vet if you notice any changes.
• Ear care: Clean your dog’s ears with a vet-approved solution after every bath.
• Dental care: Brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week (but daily brushing is always best).
• Nail care: Trim your Scottie’s nails about once a month, or whenever you can hear their nails clicking against the floor.

Scotties are smart, independent dogs. While they can do well at obedience training, it does take patience and consistency.

“A good [pet parent] just needs to find what currency motivates that dog, whether it’s food, treats, or affection,” Finn says.

Riddle recommends leaving training to the experts and enrolling your Scottish Terrier puppy in obedience class, which can also be a great opportunity for early socialization.

However, it is possible to train a Scottie on your own. Scottie puppies do well with positive reinforcement training. Spend 10 or 15 minutes daily working with your dog on obedience skills such as sit, stay, and leash walking. Keep each training session fun and upbeat to hold their interest. 

Because this breed has such a high prey drive, leash-walking is an important skill for them to master at an early age. Always keep your Scottie on a leash when you’re in public.

Feed your Scottie dog an AAFCO-compliant dog food formulated for your pup’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Chat with your vet to find the best dog food for your Scottie.

Follow the serving instructions on your food’s packaging to help your Scottie maintain a healthy weight. If you free-feed your Scottish Terrier, they’re likely to overeat.

Adult Scottish Terriers should eat twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening—while puppies can eat three or four smaller meals throughout the day. 

A Scottie needs daily activity to stay fit and healthy, but their exercise needs aren’t as demanding as other breeds. Give your dog anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour of exercise per day, broken into 10- or 20-minute sessions.

Access to a fenced yard is a good perk when you’re a Scottish Terrier pet parent. This gives you space to run and play with your dog while keeping them in a safe space. If you don’t live in a place with a fenced yard, give your Scottie the exercise they need with three short walks a day: morning, afternoon, and before bed.

Scotties enjoy most dog sports, says Riddle. While every dog is unique, activities such as Earthdog, barn hunt, agility, and scent work are fun for most Scottish Terriers. Scotties also often enjoy gentle hikes, but given their short legs, they may not be the best choice for someone who likes to hike miles at a time, Finn says.

Scotties are little dogs who can adapt well to different types of living—if they get enough daily exercise. “They are fine in apartments, as long as you walk them,” Riddle says. 

Although a fenced yard isn’t a dealbreaker, Scotties enjoy any opportunity to frolic in their own private space, so backyards are definitely a plus. They love to play, but they’re also happy hanging around the house with their family. When your Scottish Terrier is inside, give your dog puzzle toys to keep their mind sharp.

Their spunky personality might be a little difficult for new pet parents to rein in, so Scottish Terriers typically do best with people who are experienced raising and training dogs. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional dog trainer for help if you need it.

A Scottie’s temperament and their history as hunting dogs also mean they may do best as the only pet at home, and they might not do well with small and rambunctious kiddos. But older children who know how to properly interact with dogs can be OK!