The official breed standard for the Scottish terrier was developed by the STCA in accordance with AKC guidelines.
The Scottish Terrier
Appearance
The Scottish Terrier popularly called the Scottie is a short-legged compact, sturdy little dog that is part of the Terrier group.
The Scottie’s distinctive shape, bearded muzzle, and distinguishing eyebrows make it easily recognizable. The coat on a Scottish Terrier consists of two parts: a wiry outer coat and a dense softer undercoat. Colors of the coat range from black to wheaten or varying shades of brindle. The Scottie has been called “a big dog in a small package” due to its power, confidence, and fearlessness.
Temperament
Independent and self-assured, playful yet intelligent, the Scottish Terrier has been nicknamed the ‘ Little Diehard’ because of its rugged nature and endless determination. Even so, the Scottie makes a loyal family pet that is devoted to its humans. Scotties thrive best with consistency and positive reinforcement, so training is highly recommended.
History
The Scottish Terrier was originally bred for hunting and killing vermin. Its origins began in the highlands of Scotland. The terrier was subsequently brought out of the highlands in the 1870s when it was imported to England by an English army Captain. The Scottie was introduced to America in the 1890s, and they became very popular in the years between World War I and World War II. By mid 1930s the Scottie was the third most popular dog in the United States. It was so popular that the board game Monopoly (developed in the 30s) chose a Scottie as one of its tokens. The Scottie has the distinction of being a resident of the White House several times. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and George W. Bush kept Scotties by their sides while in office. The Scottish Terrier Club of America (STCA) was formed in 1900 and a breed standard was written in 1925.