One
beginning note and word to the wise. Many internet sites sell
Scottie
pups. If you want to find one of healthy quality, ask how many
champions
that kennel has produced. If they can't tell you or say
they
are show quality, but they don't show, run away as fast as you can.
These
are people only interested in making money i.e. Cash Breeders.
Cash
breeders cut corners, breed randomly, and have more pups than they
can
fully socialize. They only care about the income, not the health, temperament
or how
they look. (...is that really a Scottie?)
Ask
if they are AKC Register BREEDER OF MERIT.Wait for the right pup.
Also, not everyone is suited to this breed.
David
Frei who was the announcer on the televised 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 FENCED AREA!!
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.
Try
something like this if you don't want to fence the entire yard. :
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 your last Scottie
did not leave
the
yard, consider yourself very lucky.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND SOME ALTERNATIVE IDEAS CLICK HERE FENCES
IF
YOU HAVE A POOL, YOU MUST HAVE IT FENCED SEPARATE FROM
THE
REST OF THE YARD. (also for insurance purposes)
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 where
there is an
unprotected
pool. You must also have a pool alarm.
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.
Try
to find an older Scottie.
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. Someone must be able to come home during the day,
or
you
need to hire a dog walker to come in..
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
to clear toxins.
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", Scotties are
"kids" in the
family,
aren't they?
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. A Scottie can be fine in one 30
inches high.
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 and expense 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. There is no dog of any breed or mixed
breed that does not require time and affection.
WRITE TO ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED FURTHER INFORMATION