The Scottish Terrier is a surprisingly strong, tough little guy.  Both the male Scotties and the females measure about 10 inches at the withers.  The males weigh anywhere from 19 to about 22 pounds.  The females are only slightly less, 18 to 21 pounds.  Both genders are compact in build and well muscled.  These dogs were originally bred to hunt all types of varmints, ranging in size from that of a mouse, to a badger.  It takes a very tenacious, intelligent dog to take on a badger, and that is exactly what a Scottie is.  For a canine his size, the jaw of the Scottie is about equal to a German Shepherd Dog.
     The Scottish Terrier is a very family oriented and loyal dog.  They make excellent watch dogs.  Scotties are aloof and stand-offish towards strangers. These dogs will choose the person they like, they are not everybody's best buddy. They are very curious about the things that go on in their territory, and if any sounds or noises that are unusual occur they will investigate thoroughly.
     One note that should be made is that Scotties should not be left alone with small, young children.  Children that do not understand that pulling tails, ears, poking eyes, or tormenting the dog in general, is cruel and will not be tolerated by the Scottie. Once a child is old enough and understands that gentle, and kind treatment of the animal is an expectation, and respects the animal,  there is no better companion for that child than a Scottie.  The Scottie can play dress up with little girls, play explorer with the boys, and will happily immerse itself in any game with the child.  If the child gets sick, the Scottie will stay by the child's side until the child is up and ready to play again.
     The Scottish Terrier is very territorial and possesses a rather domineering personality.  If you do not establish who is the master right from the beginning, the Scottie will be glad to take over the whole family.  They can be aggressive towards other dogs, especially if they have not been raised with those "other dogs".
     Scotties love to dig, they are terriers after all.  Squirrels, rabbits, mice, chipmunks, etc., are all fair game, so these dogs do need a fenced in yard that is escape proofed.  They can, and do, dig under fences to crawl out and go hunting.  When walking the Scottie they need to be leashed, should they see a varmint or another dog, the Scottie will lunge after it with no concern for its own safety.  Cars are a Scotties worse enemy in that the Scottie will go hunting and not even realize that a car is looming over him.
     The Scottish Terrier has a great deal of energy.  He makes an excellent companion for people who enjoy walking, and hiking.  Runners may want to get a bigger, longer legged dog, Scotties may have the heart, but the body limitations will make it impossible for long distance running or jogging.  Scotties will need an outlet for their energy, however, they are adaptable to apartment living or to living on a farm.
     These dogs while being very loving, can also be stubborn.  They will not blindly obey anyone.  As a master and trainer of a Scottie you will need to be patient, persistent, and possess a really good sense of humor.  The Scottie will need to understand the reason why he should obey. That is not to say the owner should discipline harshly, the Scottie spirit can be broken easily.  Why do that?  The beauty of a Scottie is in his spirit, the dog has heart, and loves his family without limitation. He is a product of the country of his origins, and the land of the Scots was never known to be an easy environment in which to earn a living, the land and geography is rocky, rough, and harsh. Why should their dogs be any different?  The Scottie is not a placid lapdog.
     The Scottish Terrier, if he can avoid being run over by a car, has an average life span of from 12 to 14 years.  They possess a hard and wiry outer coat, with a dense, soft undercoat.  This coat is excellent for insulating the dog from the cold and is very weather resistant.   The color of the coat can be black, wheaten (includes a wide range of colors from pale gold to a deep red), or a brindle of shades of gray and grizzle.  White is not allowed in the show ring.
     There is quite a lot of work involved in the grooming of a Scottie.  If your Scottie is being kept by the family as a pet it is a little easier.  A really thorough brushing once a week and a trip to the beauty shoppe a few times a year will keep the dog recognizable as a Scottie.  If you are more fastidious, increase the number of trips to the beauty shoppe.  If you are considering the Scottie as a show dog, this is where it gets complicated.  Your Scottie will need to be groomed by someone who is skilled and experienced with this breed.  If the coat is not cared for properly, you can ruin a show coat and it will take a year or more for the mistake to grow out.

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