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Posts Tagged ‘Highland Terrier’

The Scottish Terrier also known as the Scottie or the Highland or Aberdeen Terrier is characterised for its distinctive terrier personality. There are four other Scottish Terrier breeds, West Highland White Terriers, Dandie Dinmont and Skye, Cairn.
The behaviour and qualities and more importantly the dog care of the Scottie comes from its origins.You should compare characteristics with with the other top dog breeds, of which there are many.
The Scottie is often called by the nickname of “little diehard”. Originally given in the 19th century by George, the fourth Earl of Dumbarton. George IV had a pack of Scottish Terriers, apparently so valiant that they were given the nickname “Diehards” and were the idea for his Regiment name, The Royal Scots, “Dumbarton’s Diehards”.
It is impossible to be sure of the real origins of the Scottish Terrier, but it was bred for clearing small rodents in Scotland for centuries. It may be the oldest of the five Scottish Terrier breeds and there are some references back to the 16th Century.
The source of the name “terrier” is the Latin terra denoting “earth”. The Highland Terrier was a hunter where these short legged, powerful dogs were designed and built for the purpose of rooting out small pest animals such as badgers, foxes and rats out of their burrows.
Scottish Terriers appearance is  characterised by long fur, heavy eyebrows and whiskers. The wiry coat exists in many colors, including black, brindle or wheaten of any shade. Scotties with ‘Wheaten’ (straw to nearly white) coats may occur, but should not be confused with the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier or West Highland White Terrier.
Scotties are robust, with a muscular body and a long neck. A Highland Terrier has a long head relative to its body which averages about 10 or 11 inches high. The Aberdeen Terrier has  erect ears and tail. Aberdeen Terrierwere bred with strong tails so that their owners could pull them out of burrows when they were wedged after tunnelling after vermin and voles.
Scottiehave small, bright almond-shaped and dark eyes.
The Scottish Terrier personality is one of freedom and spirit. Often people say a Scottie thinks he is an Irish Wolfhound in height! To the extent that he is totally fearless that often appears idiotic in the face of a much larger dog, when he suddenly realises that he is less than a foot in height. Dog walkers love to walk them, they are never feel frightened by the larger dogs!
Height at withers for both sexes of the Scottie should be roughly 25 cm (9.8 in), and the length of back from withers to tail is roughly 28 cm (11 in). Generally a well-balanced Scottie dog should weigh 8–10 kg (19–22 lb) and a female from 8–9.9 kg (18–22 lb). Scottish Terrier are about 11–15 inches (28–38 cm) in height.
Scottish Terrierare very alert, jovial and confident. They typically live roughly twelve years.
Aberdeen Terriers, whilst being very loving, can also be irritatingly stubborn. Because of this stubbornness, a Scottie needs strong, but kind handling from a puppy or it will rule the family. Every new Scottish Terrier addition should have a clear puppy training plan.
The Scottish Terrier makes a great guard dog because it normally only barks when necessary and generally only for strangers. Dog socialisation is crucial as it is a fearless breed that may be aggressive around other dogs unless presented and educated to different dogs whilst a puppy or young.
Because the Highland Terrier were  used to hunt and fight badgers and other vermin they like to dig and chase small vermin, such as mice, rats and squirrels. Yet another reason to recommend that they are kept on a leash.
Whilst Scotties are generally a healthy breed they have a propensity of developing some cancers than other purebreds. Research has identified six cancers that Highland Terriers are more likely to be at risk of (versus other breeds) are: (in descending order) bladder cancer and other transitional cell carcinomas of the lower urinary tract (more normal in older dogs and more common in females so watch for blood in the urine, straining to urinate and frequent urination – and get veterinary help); malignant melanoma; gastric carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma of the skin; lymphosarcoma and nasal carcinoma.
To help prevent cancer in any dog,  ensure that your dog has little or no exposure to herbicides, pesticides, solvents and cigarette smoke; use caution when treating dogs with some flea medications; provide a healthy, vitamin-rich diet (low in carbohydrates, high in vegetables) and plenty of exercise.
Two other genetic health concerns in the Scottie breed are von Willebrand disease (vWD) which is diagnosed with varying degrees of bleeding tendency, usually in the form of easy bruising, nosebleeds and gums that bleed.
The second is craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO); often  known as lion’s jaw, that created extensive bony modifications in the mandible and skull. Normally occurring between the ages of 3 and 8 months. The lesions normally stop progressing after twelve months or so, and may regress. The firm swelling of the jaw, drooling, pain, and difficulty in eating. This is also an inherited disease and if extensive, could be difficult for the dog.
Due to these inherited diseases it is advisable to buy directly from a breeder, who can show he has no problems with these diseases.
Famous Scotties include former President George W. Bushs’ Barney and Roosevelts – Fala. Infact the  Scottie is the only breed of dog that has lived in the White House more than three times.
Other famous people who are known to have owned the Scottie  include: Humphrey Bogart; Liza Minnelli; Queen Victoria; Ronald Reagan; Eva Braun; Tatum O’Neal owned a Scottish Terrier. She was said to be so saddened by her dog’s death to old age and cancer that she fell back into drugs.
The Aberdeen Terrier is also a player token in the board game, Monopoly.
 A Scottish Terrier and a West Highland White Terrier are featured on the Black & White whisky label. In Enid Blyton’s Mystery Series books, there is Buster a Scottish Terrier, who is often part of the mysteries.
So all in, a rightfully popular dog breed, particularly in personality per weight, but you will need to train and be firm with your Highland Terrier.