Not everyone is suited to this breed.

David Frei who was the announcer on the Westminster Dog show
Feb 14, 2005 is quoted as saying:
"It's the nature of what dogs are bred to do. Terriers are always on their
toes, looking for trouble. They take a minimum of direction, and they're low
in trainability. It's their world, and we're just lucky to be living in it"

Some tips below will help you to understand the breed and help
you to know if you can live happily with a Scottish Terrier.

Scotties are very game, and active, and were bred to be hunters
of vermin in the fields of Scotland. They are earthdogs, and Terrier
comes from the Latin word "Terra" meaning earth.
For this reason, they are sometimes intimidating to small children.
 If they run and squeal like toddlers often do,
the dog may chase, and think it is a great game to knock them down.
It may become a difficult situation in the home. If you have toddlers,
you might consider waiting several years to adopt a Scottie.
If you have young children, you should  padlock your gates
 so the neighbor children do not let the dog out,
and have an automatic door closer on the front door, as surely the children's friends
will leave it open and your Scottie will go out and not come back.

IF YOU HAVE A HOME, YOU MUST HAVE A FENCE!!

Our puppies grow up with time outside to run. They love to run. To take them
from that experience, and only ever let them walk on a leash is not fair. A Scottie
was developed in Scotland to love the outdoors. They enjoy it so much. On a cool day
they will take a sun bath. They genuinely love to see the squirrels, the trees, breathe
the fresh air, and be able to run after leaves, or a ball. They cannot do this on a leash.

Scotties must not be allowed to run loose, as they generally do not come home
because the "chase" is more interesting.  These are dogs that MUST have a fence.
You don't have to enclose the entire yard. But you must enclose part of it for a Scottie.
A dog kennel like sold at Home Depot is not big enough!
If you live in a restricted community, consider decorative fencing, like wrought iron.
It does not have to be very high, and you can even enclose a patio.  But, a Scottie loves
to be outside, free without restrictions of leash. They love to gaze at the big world out there,
and be able to bark at the squirrels and neighbor's cats. Our puppies grow up
used to being able to run around in a protected area. It seems harsh to make them
give up that freedom.

And, what about the underground electric fence? First of all, a Scottie can tolerate pain
amazingly well. They will take the pain of the shock to go through the fence because the
temptation to chase the squirrel is such a strong instinct. But, they will not brave it again just
to come home. So, at that point, the dog is "locked out" of his yard. That fence also does not
prevent larger more agressive dogs who may stray onto your property. And lastly, the dog
must wear a huge boxy collar, which is not pleasant to him. Save your money on that underground
fencing system, and buy one you can trust.

IF YOU HAVE A POOL, YOU MUST HAVE IT FENCED SEPARATE FROM
THE REST OF THE YARD.

Scotties do not swim well. They generally sink with short legs and heavy bodies.
We placed several dogs over the years, and they drowned. Don't think it can't happen to
your Scottie. If the gate is left open, they will die. If you live in Florida where pools are
in the Lanai, you may lose your dog to drowning. We do not place Scotties were there is an
unprotected pool. We also require that you have a floating alarm in the pool.

If you had a Scottie before, and it died of old age, you may have forgotten all the time
and energy you spent chasing that wee pup. We tend to remember all the pleasant times,
and not the chewed table legs etc. Also the energy of a small pup will be alot more than the
old dog used to laying around all the time. The house has to be puppy proofed.

A Scottish Terrier does require much time and patience.
If your family is very busy, and no one is home much, you might not find this
breed suited to you.  They are like children; they require that you spend
time with them. If you leave at 8am or earlier and don't get home until 6 or later,
don't get a puppy! It isn't fair to them. They are not like the vase on the table,
waiting for you to get home. They will be unbelievably lonely.
Get a stuffed animal instead.

If left alone for long periods of time they will dig (earth dog) and get
bored. This can lead to unwanted mischief.  They are loyal, independent, yet
a dog with a great spirit.

A Scottie puppy requires a lot of time. He needs to be socialized. You cannot
leave him home all day while you are working and expect to have a normal dog
with good habits. Even doggie day care is not the same as one on one. Many working
couples postpone getting a dog until they can be home at least part of the day.

In families where everyone is working all day, you should look for the oldest puppy
or adult you can find. Many breeders who show want to place retired show dogs or
puppies they have kept to show but didn't make the mark. These dogs will already
be well socialized and more content to wait until you get home. But, under no circumstances
should you crate (cage) a Scottie all day while you are gone. There is a higher incidence in Scotties
for Bladder Cancer, and they should have a place where they can relieve themselves.
Working owners can provide a "potty pan" and newspapers as a toilet for emergencies.
Don't close them in the bathroom, or other small area where they can't see out the windows.

Another idea to provide for a dog who has to be home all day alone is to baby gate
the kitchen, or make a room in your home into a "doggy nursery".
You can put in flooring that is dog proof, a chair by a window, and a potty  pan.
Provide a television for those Scotties who like it, or a radio for background music.

Have you seen a portable exercise pen? It is a great way to manage your puppy or
older dog when you travel or go to a friend's home to visit. They fold flat and can go into
a closet or trunk of the car. Attach them to the ground with tent stakes,
and make larger by stringing two together.

And the ultimate best situation for working people
if you have to be gone all day,
consider having TWO Scotties.
How happy they will be to hang out with a buddy.
They are very social dogs. Don't deprive them of a friend.

Often there are rescue dogs which need a good home, and unless they have many
problems from former owners, they will adapt well to home life. A rescue dog is not
an inexpensive way to get a Scottie. They generally come from some kind of bad
situation, or sometimes given up by an elderly owner who must go to a nursing home.
Either way, they will require as much or more time than a small puppy.

I have Scotties who watch television.

They are intelligent and sensitive dogs.
They love to look out the window too. Can you provide your Scottie with a window view?
Consider providing a window seat for your dog to climb on to see out.
Place an easy chair or a hassock near a window .
If your windows are low enough to see out, that is even better.

Scotties are athletic. They love to walk. If you enjoy a good fast paced walk, put
your dog on a lead and take off. Just remember that a puppy will not be able to do the
same kind of walking as an adult, and even an adult will have to work up to the distance.

Just a word to the wise regarding toys and chewing:
Scotties love to chew, and those big teeth (size of German Shepherd's) will need to be
entertained. I do give them a very small rolled rawhide the size of a pencil. It will only be as
wide as a noodle when wet, and not likely to get lodged in the throat. But, beware the toy with
the squeaky, as it is plastic, and not digestible. It is large enough to be swallowed and will not
pass. Many Scotties have surgery for small items like that, or a child's plastic toy that was
swallowed, but will not go through the intestines and must be removed surgically.  Also, beware
the hard rubber balls. They will also have to be removed surgically. We had a girl who loved her
tennis balls. One night at the age of 7, she decided to eat it. Why? We will never know. Two weeks
later, a big piece of it was removed surgically.

IF YOU THINK THAT THESE ARE THINGS THAT YOU CAN MANAGE WELL, THEN A SCOTTIE
MAY BE SUITED TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

WRITE TO ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED FURTHER INFORMATION

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