Do Scotties shed?
All dogs shed, but the wire-coated terriers, which includes the Scotties,
grow hair differently than many dogs, so they shed less than the short haired breeds.
Are they good with children?
Possibly, if the child is old enough to respect the dog's body, and to understand that
the dog has feelings, too. Scotties will generally try to hide from an abusive child,
but will bite if cornered, or pushed hard. For this reason, they are not generally
recommended for families with very small children.
Does this breed require lots of grooming?
In a word, yes! They require regular brushing, and trimming four to six times a
year. Regular bathing is neccessary, however, the skin can dry out too easily.
You will need to use a good moisturizer shampoo. Show dogs are stripped, the
hair being pulled out when long and dead, or blown, but pets should be clipped,
as stripping is unnecessary. The regular care taking such as tooth brushing,
nail clipping, and anal gland care can be done at home. Related to skin care is
the flea question. I wage nuclear war on fleas, as the breed is relatively
sensitive to them. A Scot can chew itself almost bald in next to no time, trying
to get one flea! Skin issues can be controlled with proper nutrition and other care.
What about exercise requirements?
The Scot is actually an active breed, and can become destructive if not given
enough mental and physical stimulation. The short legs do mean less walking for
the human partner to get the dog its daily requirements. Seriously, this is
not a good jogging or marathon partner, but an ideal walking companion. ON LEASH,
please, as the hunting instincts can draw the dog after a cat, into the path
of a car. The Scot is tough for it's size, but not that tough!
Are Scotties noisy?
They can be, but this varies allot within the breed. They are territorial,
and will announce visitors repeatedly and loudly. Human visitors they know are
welcome, but animal visitors, invited or not, are repulsed with serious fury!
One cannot consider the Scot a serious protection breed, but they will inflict
damage to even the most threatening person, if they feel their owner is in
danger. The teeth are bigger than you would suppose as this is a dwarf dog
with big canines.
What sex makes the best pet?
Most of the people assume that a female will make the
best pet. In general, the male makes a better pet for most people. Females tend
to be more reserved with strangers, while the male dogs have been more outgoing and
happy-go-lucky.
Do they make good obedience dogs?
If you are looking for a High-In-Trial, no. A challenge, yes. The Scot is
one of the breeds bred to work independent of human direction. If the dog is
nose to nose with a badger, it cannot take the time to come out and ask "may
I attack now, please, or would you prefer me to wait?" Some Scots obtain
advanced degrees, but the majority are not temperamentally suited to it.
HOWEVER, all dogs should learn basic good manners and certain general behaviors,
such as coming when called. Training is extremely important and a wonderful
socialization for a Scot to learn and to avoid dog-aggressiveness later in life.
Are the blonde ones Scotties, too?
This is definitely the most asked question to anyone with a wheaten Scot.
There are many different colors acceptable in the breed; black, shades of
brindle, and wheaten being the major classes of color. Wheaten ranges from
a pale golden to a deep red. White, however, is not an acceptable shade of
wheaten, nor is it in the standard as an approved color. White ones that are
confused as a Scot are actually a West Highland White Terrier.
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