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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+5
Dogs
# The Scottish Terrier: temperament, price, health, and breeders
United Kingdom
A small proud, lively and independent terrier, made for companionship as well as for alerting.
Size SmallLife expectancy 12–15 yearsBudget ≈ €81/monthPuppy €1,000 – €1,500
[Find a breeder 22](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=scottish-terrier)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Very good
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Fair
Tolerance of being alone Good
Guarding instinct Good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Compact format: Its small size makes life easier in the city without making it lose its true terrier temperament.
- Loyal temperament: It is deeply attached to its family and knows how to be a faithful and stable companion.
- Low shedding: It sheds little hair on a daily basis, which can be appreciated at home.
- Stubborn temperament: His independence sometimes complicates training and requires a consistent framework.
- Demanding grooming: His coat requires real grooming follow-up, often with professional intervention.
- Tendency to be overweight: Without portion control and regular outings, he can gain weight quickly.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Apartment living: He adapts well to moderate spaces if daily walks are respected.
- Calm and available households: He appreciates a stable relationship with present and consistent owners.
- Terrier enthusiasts: His assertive temperament suits people who like dogs with personality.
Not recommended for
- Very novice owners: Its training may come as a surprise if you're looking for a naturally docile dog.
- People with little time for upkeep: Grooming and monitoring the skin require time and regularity.
- Households with unsecured small animals: Its hunting instinct can complicate living together with certain small domestic prey.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
27 cmScottish Terrier
- Height at the withers
- 25–28 cm
- Weight
- 8–10 kg
- Coat
- Medium-long, harsh and dense
- FCI group
- 3
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Grooming
- High-maintenance coat
## Photos and videos
See the Scottish Terrier in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
Originally from the Scottish Highlands, the Scottish Terrier was developed from the end of the 19th century for underground work. Its compact build, short legs and courageous temperament made it an excellent dog capable of driving out foxes, rodents and small game right into their burrows. The first breed standard was established in 1881 and the Scottish Terrier Club was founded in 1882. Today, it is mainly appreciated as a companion and show dog, while retaining its very distinctive terrier character.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Scottish Terrier is a small, stocky, powerful and agile dog, recognizable by its low-to-the-ground silhouette, its short and muscular back and its well-let-down chest. Its head is long, with an almost flat skull, dark brown almond-shaped eyes, fine ears carried upright and a medium-length tail carried well raised. Its coat consists of a harsh and dense outer coat combined with a soft undercoat, with pronounced furnishings on the muzzle, eyebrows and on the limbs. The most common colors are black, wheaten and brindle.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Proud, loyal and very intelligent, the Scottish Terrier is a dog with character. It tends to be more reserved than demonstrative, but it is attached to its family and knows how to be affectionate in its own way. Independent, courageous and lively, it keeps the terrier spirit with a certain tenacity and a real sense of alertness. It is normally not aggressive and often prefers to ignore strangers rather than seek conflict.
Intelligent
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, the Scottish Terrier is calm at home if its need to go out is met. It copes fairly well with being left alone thanks to its independent nature and adapts just as well to life in the city as in the countryside. It enjoys regular walks, games with its loved ones and retains a hunting instinct that can lead it to follow a trail or take an interest in small animals. Its relationship with other animals therefore requires careful introductions and early socialization.
Training
## Training and socialization
The education of the Scottish Terrier must be consistent, calm and firm, without harshness. Its intelligence allows it to learn, but its assertive and sometimes stubborn temperament requires working on motivation, repetition and regularity. Early socialization, clear rules and a well-maintained recall are essential to channel its independence and obtain a dog that is pleasant to live with.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Scottish Terrier
The price of a Scottish Terrier varies mainly depending on the seriousness of the breeding, the selection of breeding dogs, the quality of the lineage and the socialization work carried out before the puppy leaves. This breed also requires planning a maintenance budget consistent with its grooming and its health monitoring.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/scottish-terrier/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Scottish Terrier is a small dog that looks hardy, but the breed requires real health monitoring. It tolerates cold and bad weather well thanks to its protective coat, but it has predispositions to certain hereditary or dermatological conditions that justify regular veterinary follow-up.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/scottish-terrier/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Scottish Terrier must receive a complete, high-quality diet, adapted to its age, its weight and its activity level. In this breed, nutrition plays a central role, because excess energy quickly promotes overweight.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/scottish-terrier/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
Nicknamed Scottie, the Scottish Terrier has made canine history with its immediately recognizable silhouette. It also gained notoriety in the 20th century thanks to famous dogs like Fala, the companion of American president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its beard, its bushy eyebrows and its dignified look make it one of the easiest terriers to identify.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Scottish Terrier
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Scottish Terrier suitable for apartment living?
Yes, it adapts well to apartment living provided it benefits from daily walks and a clear educational framework. Its calmness indoors makes it a good city companion.
### Does the Scottish Terrier shed a lot?
No, shedding is generally low in this breed. However, coat maintenance is demanding and requires regular brushing as well as appropriate grooming sessions.
### Is the Scottish Terrier easy to train?
It is intelligent, but not particularly obedient. Its training requires consistency, patience, and a firm but fair approach to channel its independence.
## Find a Scottish Terrier breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Scottish Terrier breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Scottish Terrier breeders in Normandy6](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/normandy)
### Scottish Terrier breeders by country
[28 breeders of Scottish Terrier in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/germany) [22 breeders of Scottish Terrier in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier) [15 breeders of Scottish Terrier in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/denmark) [15 breeders of Scottish Terrier in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/italy) [4 breeders of Scottish Terrier in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/austria) [4 breeders of Scottish Terrier in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/netherlands) [3 breeders of Scottish Terrier in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/united-kingdom) [1 breeder of Scottish Terrier in Hungary](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/hungary) [1 breeder of Scottish Terrier in Slovenia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/slovenia) [1 breeder of Scottish Terrier in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier/spain)
[All breeders of Scottish Terrier in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier)
## Ready to welcome a Scottish Terrier?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-scottish-terrier)
## Discover other breeds
[Cairn Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/cairn-terrier)
[Dandie Dinmont Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/dandie-dinmont-terrier)
[West Highland White Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/west-highland-white-terrier)
[Skye Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/skye-terrier)
[Bedlington Terrier
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