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Scottish Terrier

History

The breed dates back to 1917, when the 'Scottish Terrier' was differentiated from the other small, rough-coated terriers. The Scottie, like other small terriers, was fashioned as a working dog capable of hunting and killing vermin, and assisting with hunting game such as fox or badger. Nicknamed 'the diehard', the Scottish Terrier was capable of enduring the dour weather and uneven terrain of the Scottish countryside. Brave, loyal, and unrelenting, Scotties of old worked to please their masters and, above all, to fulfill their own sense of purpose. They chased small game into their holes or burrows, and sometimes needed to be pulled out of a losing battle: thus the stocky tail, which served as a convenient handle!The Scottish Terrier appeared in North America in the 1880s, when the first Scotties were registered with the AKC. They became quite popular in the 1930's and 40's: at that time fdr's - Scottie - lad became the most popular presidential pet in history, Shirley Temple starred with a Scottie called Sniffy in the movie 'Our Little Girl', and a Scottie/Westie pair appeared on bottles of Black and White Whiskey. In the 30's, Scotties were even featured in a series of pin-up girl posters illustrated by Gil Elvgren - strange, but true! (Today a Scottie/Westie pair is featured on selected logo merchandise for Harrods .) Although their popularity has declined, the Scottie motif still appears on sweaters, jewelry, gifts and Christmas items. As the DogWorld 1997 breed spotlight article states: 'To many, the Scottish Terrier brings to mind a jaunty fellow in tartan plaid, a happy-go-lucky companion for long walks in the countryside. This image has made the Scottie likeness a popular fashion accessory ...' (DogWorld, August 1997, pg. 14) Supporting this observation about the Scottie as a perennial fashion icon -- an article in the Irish - Times reports from a February 2000 runway show that Moschino, Italian fashion designer, opened the show with 'a sweet schoolgirl's apron dress with a Scottie dog motif on the skirt and jewelled dog-collar belt. Because of their relative rarity paired with their instant recognizability, I've found that the sight of a live Scottie is for most people an unexpected and delightful surprise; and for the older set, there's always that tinge of nostalgia for the Scotties they knew in their youth.

GENERAL APPEARANCE *** Thick set, of suitable size to go to ground, short legged, alert in carriage and suggestive of great power and activity in small compass. Head gives impression of being long for size of dog. Very agile and active in spite of short legs.

CHARACTERISTICS *** Loyal and faithful. Dignified, independent and reserved, but courageous and highly intelligent.

TEMPERAMENT *** Bold, but never aggressive.

HEAD AND SKULL *** Long without being out of proportion to size of dog. Length of skull enabling it to be fairly wide and yet retain narrow appearance. Skull nearly flat and cheek bones not protruding. Foreface strongly constructed and deep throughout. Skull and foreface of equal length. Slight but distinct stop between skull and foreface just in front of eye. Nose large and, in profile, line from nose towards chin appears to slope backwards.

EYES *** Almond-shaped, dark brown, fairly wide apart, set deeply under eyebrows with keen, intelligent expression.

EARS *** Neat, fine texture, pointed, erect and set on top of skull but not too close together. Large, wide-based ears highly undesirable.

MOUTH *** Teeth large with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

NECK *** Muscular and of moderate length.

FOREQUARTERS *** Head carried on muscular neck of moderate length showing quality, set into long sloping shoulder, brisket well in front of straight, well boned forelegs to straight pasterns. Chest fairly broad and hung between forelegs which must not be out at the elbow nor placed under body.

BODY *** Well rounded ribs flattening to deep chest and carried well back. Back proportionately short and very muscular. Topline of body straight and level, loin muscular and deep, powerfully coupling ribs to hindquarters.

HINDQUARTERS *** Remarkably powerful for size of dog. Big, wide buttocks, deep thighs and well bent stifles. Hocks short, strong, turning neither in nor out.

FEET *** Good size, well padded, toes well arched and close knit, forefeet slightly larger than hindfeet.

TAIL *** Moderate length giving general balance to dog, thick at root and tapering towards tip. Set on with upright carriage or slight bend.

GAIT/MOVEMENT *** Smooth and free, straight both back and front with drive from behind and level gait throughout.

COAT *** Close lying, double coat; undercoat short, dense and soft; outer coat harsh, dense and wiry, together making a weather-resisting covering.

COLOUR *** Black, wheaten or brindle of any shade.

SIZE & Height *** 25.4-28 cms (10-11 ins) at withers
Weight: 8.6-10.4 kg (19-23 lbs).

FAULTS *** Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE *** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.