Scottish terrier?

[CormorantStrikesBack]

Anyone here got one and would like to give me the lowdown on having one. Wouldn’t be my first dog but would be my first terrier.

i wfh 3 days a week, dog would have an hour minimum walk that morning. Dog walker would come the other two days. Longer walks at weekends. Big secure garden. No kids but do have cats.

We had one.

He was lovely at home but not very cuddly. A really funny character though. Not too bothered about talking to strangers or other dogs, just kept himself to himself. He wouldn’t have walked an hour, he wasn’t very active despite what the breed description states. He used to just stop and sit once he had walked what he deemed to be enough and that was that, very stubborn. He required regular grooming and did have a yeasty smell if he wasn’t kept on top of.

He was plagued with health problems though, allergies and skin problems despite being from a good breeder. He died of cancer at 4 which is why I wouldn’t get another.

We don't have one but have known one from our dog walks since she was a puppy, she's 2 now.

She is a little stunner, very friendly with people & fine with dogs. Respectful of my oldie who doesn't want to play. She doesn't have a high prey drive but can be stubborn & has selective deafness when distracted.

Obviously needs regular grooming so that's a cost to consider.

Thanks both. I do meet someone while out walking who has two and he says his can walk for hours. Says they were bred for walking/hunting…..so I was actually worried an hour a day might not be enough. He says his have a very strong prey drive as well.

Grooming I’m ok with. I’ve had a wire coated dog before which needed hand stripping and I can hand strip which I think is what Scotties need. But if I can’t manage it regular groomer trips is fine.

@Maneandfeathers sorry, you lost yours at such a young age, that’s really sad.

Mines only one experience and I’m sure there are so many brilliant ones out there! The breed is struggling so I would definatley look into them further.

Mine was lovely but didn’t have much drive for anything! Certainly not prey 😄

Have you considered a Cairn Terrier? I had one and I’ve never met a bad one yet. Fantastic little dogs.

Nothing against Scottish Terriers but in my experience they’re a bit more standoffish and stubborn than Cairns.

Yes Cairns are definitely on the list of possibilities as are Westies, Norfolk, Norwich and Borders. Possibly Lakeland and Irish

and Welsh 😀

Happy to recommend a Cairn breeder in Yorkshire if you decide on one.

Thank you. Yes if you could let me know please. It’s early days yet in the pondering process but I can start a list of possible breeders.

@CormorantStrikesBack I’ve PMd you

Had Scotties all my life. Ace dogs. I highly recommend!

I have one, most beautiful dog ever - a real
Character.

They're commonly allergic to chicken, grain etc so I feel her Nutriment raw duck (it's duck only) in the morning and Lily's kitchen duck kibble in the evening.

Plus wash her with Episoothe shampoo weekly - she has perfect skin, hair eyes

Very active - she run for 3 hours a day at daycare and on long walks at weekends

Very sturdy, very determined, fucking hates rats - even a sniff of a rat in the garden and she uses the deepest bark known to man

Expensive to groom, every 8 weeks and it's £60 - I sometimes do it myself (not well!)

She's very independent but cuddles in to me in bed only. Otherwise she sits next to me.

Very, very beautiful dog - soulful eyes, amazing eyelashes and a massive 'skirt' she swishes around in

I don't need a lead for her, she just walks right next to me - completely reliable

Very treat focused so easily trainable

My beauty

She is gorgeous. I really think I have my heart set on a Scottie.

Grandparents had a Scottie and she wasn't the best with people or other dogs, quite nippy and VERY stubborn! But they loved her.

We've had westies and cairns who have been much more affectionate (cairn still a pup, all the westies were absolute delights). Not convinced any of them would have tolerated cats as had a high prey drive but likely different if they grew up with them.

I love terriers but the Scottie's I've known have been independent to a fault.

Jack Russells are fab little dogs if you can put the time in to socialise and train them. I also like westies although I think they can have a few health issues.

I’ve had two.
the first was adorable. Cuddly, happy little dog who was a real lap dog. He was diagnosed with a serious liver problem and we lost him at just seven.

our second Scott is the polar opposite. I’ve often said he’s crossed with a cat. He spends ,most of his life curled up in the window, doesn’t really sit on laps etc but he is, like all of them, fiercely loyal to his family which can result in him being a bit of a grumpy arse to anyone outside of it.
he’s coming g up for eleven now and has recently been diagnosed with Cushings, a condition that isn’t uncommon in the breed. This costs us around £120 a month now in medications.

They are becoming a rare breed though, and you won’t see many others. It’s the comment I get most often when out, “I’ve not seen a Scottie for years!”

things to bear in mind….

liver issues
scottie cramp
Cushings disease
Grooming (I do mine myself but he needs a trim every 6/8 weeks or so)
They are a family loyal dog and often don’t like outsiders very much.

Two of my friends have them. Great little characters.

I saw that you're also considering a Lakeland terrier. I have a Lakie. She'll be two next month and is the most amazing little, big dog. But the puppy stage was tough. All terriers are great if you appreciate their particular nature. Essentially, they're working dogs, so you have to figure out ways to accommodate for this in order to co-exist happily. My two year old works for all her food doing tricks and obedience on the longer morning and evening walks. She also has a short potty walk in the afternoon. Best of luck - you'll need it with a terrier in the family 😁

I have terriers. A real terrier is “Look out world , here I come” 😁

I've known a few Scotties but i wouldn't have one. They're not very friendly so don't expect a lap dog - or any kind of affection ! Not the type of dog to sit in your knee whilst you watch TV. They're seriously cute though, and a very low maintenance dog to have around the house as they keep to themselves. I much prefer Westies.

I met the most gorgeous Skye terrier at Crufts. Lovely dog.